SADC summit under way

Some of the SADC Heads of State and Government who have arrived include South African President, Jacob Zuma, Namibia’s Hefikepunye Pohamba, DRC’s Joseph Kabila, Botswana’s Ian Khama and Zambian Deputy President, Guy Scott.

President Mugabe and his fellow GPA Principals are also at the venue. President Mugabe came through with the biggest entourage as compared to other heads of State. We are informed that President Mugabe and his delegation have informed the summit organizers that they have come prepared for a very short meeting, behavior which could be interpreted as somewhat bullish as the Zimbabwe issue may need more time. As we update you now, PM Tsvangirai has entered the Conference room, meaning the discussion on the matter at hand; Zimbabwe elections is now underway. The Facilitator is expected to give his report and then the GPA Principals will give their submissions before discussion and adoption of resolutions for the communique.

Just before the summit began, President Guebuza and President Zuma had a closed door 30 minutes briefing at the conference venue.

Through our sources here, we were made to understand that commitments had been made that no decisive action on polls would be taken ahead of the summit, and that everyone, including the facilitation team and SADC were surprised by the announcement. It was not immediately clear what the plan for these parties and of President Zuma's team are, but there is a determination to at least vent this exasperation, but solutions seem to be few. There is general acknowledgement that as a strategy, pulling the rug from under the feet of SADC, as has been done by President Mugabe, has had the intended effect of confusing everyone and throwing plans around what was initially intended for discussion up in the air.

In addition, the actions by our President have clearly placed a conundrum for SADC. How, even if they want to, do they deal decisively in a manner that demands a reversal of actions taken so far without seeming like they are interfering with our internal issues and subverting the rule of law?