Against clandestine endeavours by the intransigent clique within President Robert Mugabe’s Zanu (PF) party to have Zuma removed from his post as SADC mediator in the Zimbabwean crisis, Zuma assumed the new post while continuing the mediation role.
The DA has now called on the South African leader to use his extra post in the region to rein-in Mugabe, who is widely blamed for the slow movement in the implementation of the Global Political Agreement signed in September 2008.
“Having already taken a tough stance against the Mugabe regime’s unwillingness to implement democratic reforms and civic protections as the SADC facilitator on Zimbabwe, President Zuma should be able to reinforce his position as the chairperson of the SADC troika that controls the organ on politics, defence and security co-operation,” said Kenneth Mubu, the DA’s Shadow Minister of International Relations and Cooperation.
”With these two SADC positions in hand, President Zuma can now leverage the full power of the SADC body to pressurize the Mugabe regime into acceding to the wishes of the Zimbabwean people, the regional organisation and the international community.”
Zuma will lead a Troika that comprises South Africa, Zambia and Mozambique, countries that are also tasked with sending a three-person task team that forms an extended SADC facilitation role in Zimbabwe.
The DA called Zuma, whose country has borne the brunt of Zimbabwe’s political and economic meltdown, to use “this rare opportunity” as head of two important positions in SADC to push President Mugabe into drafting the new Constitution, proceeding with the reform laid out in the (GPA) and acceding to the timeline for holding Zimbabwe’s next elections.
“The Zimbabwean people have been calling for change for many years now, suffering at the hands of a leader who no longer cares for the needs of his people. Our foreign policy, which is based on the principles of ubuntu, requires that we do what we can to help the people of Zimbabwe in whatever way we can,” added Mubu.
Post published in: News