HARARE Zimbabwe has become a regional hot potato that must be dealt with urgently to allow the Southern African Development Community (SADC) to focus on developmental issues rather the political squabble in Harare, incoming regional chairman Namibia has said. Namibian Minister of Trade and Industry and new SADC Council of Ministers chairman Hage Geingob told The Zimbabwean on Sunday last week that Windhoek will push for expeditious resolution of the Zimbabwean problem.
We know that there is no way SADC will go forward as a region if a member country is having challenges, we would like to see a stronger Zimbabwe and that will result in a stronger region, said Geingob.
A communiqu released by Southern African Development Community (SADC) leaders at the end of their summit on Tuesday called on the Zimbabwe parties to conclude implementation of their power-sharing deal and complete the writing of a new constitution that should ensure free and fair elections.
The communiqu did not say by when the MDC and President Robert Mugabes Zanu (PF) party should have resolved their political dispute or when exactly Zimbabwe should hold new elections.
However, a report on the political situation in Zimbabwe presented to regional leaders by South African President Jacob Zuma said the Harare coalition partners must resolve their differences within 30 days, complete the drafting of a new constitution as a prelude to the holding of elections.
Zuma is the SADCs mediator in the Zimbabwe inter-party dialogue. He has long been known to favour a new vote as the best way to end the political crisis in his northern neighbour.
Post published in: News