The regionally appointed mediator on Zimbabwe, President Jacob Zuma As usual little information has been released about the visit, where the meeting will be held and who will be there. But his international relations advisor, Lindiwe Zulu, is reported to have said Zuma would seek an end to the current tensions and push for the coalition government leaders to fully implement what they agreed to.
Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai has not attended the progress meetings that he used to hold regularly with Robert Mugabe since early October. This is due to Mugabes continued disregard for his coalition partners, and his unilateral appointment of governors and ambassadors led to the current standoff.
Zulu reportedly said Zumas agenda will include a discussion on the implementation of the global political agreement issues agreed at the previous SADC meeting and any troubling issues that might have arisen in the implementation pact that will lead to free and fair elections expected next year.
Zuma met with Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai, Deputy Prime Minister Arthur Mutambara and Robert Mugabe separately, last week in Botswana. This was after the SADC troika meeting on Zimbabwe failed to happen. Committee chairperson, President Rupiah Banda of Zambia and Mozambique President Armando Guebuza, did not bother turn up.
Zumas mediation efforts have received much criticism from Zimbabweans and political observers, who say he has failed to reign in Mugabe and ZANU PF. Zuma is also largely viewed as being soft on Mugabe and choosing to ignore the facts on the ground.
Post published in: News