Zuma was elected to the AU chair on 15 July in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, ousting Jean Ping of Gabon.
Political analyst, Pedzisayi Ruhanya said: “The advantage now is that we have an AU chair who has proximity to Zimbabwe and understands Zimbabwe, and whose country has been calling for free and fair elections. In effect, the Zimbabwean government, particularly Zanu (PF) could be cornered. Zuma is a messenger of the South African government and whatever she does will be in line with the South African policy of free and fair elections in Zimbabwe,” he added.
“It also tells us that Zanu (PF)’s friends are whittling down and by the time we hold elections, they will be having friends only in the Far East, not in Africa,” said Ruhanya.
Another political analyst, Charles Mangongera, said: “If South Africa continues to play a decisive role, it means it will have its grip not only on Sadc but AU as well, in which case it will be in a better position to quickly push for an end to the Zimbabwean crisis.”
The Zanu (PF)-aligned analyst, Gabriel Chaibva, dismissed Zuma’s election as of no significance as Zimbabwe’s sovereign status made it impossible for outsiders to interfere in its affairs.
Post published in: News