JOHANNESBURG South African President Jacob Zuma has said his government will continue supporting efforts to resuscitate Zimbabwes economy and bring back democracy in the troubled northern neighbour.In a state of the union address last Wednesday Zuma, who is also the current Southern African Development Community (SADC) chairperson, urged all peace-loving countries of the world to support the inclusive government in Harare to help resolve the current political and economic problems confronting it. ?
The plight of the Zimbabwean people has had a negative impact on the SADC region, especially South Africa. We call upon all peace-loving countries in the world to support the inclusive government to achieve economic recovery, said Zuma.
The newly elected South African President, who unlike former President Thabo Mbeki has been outspoken against Mugabe’s autocratic rule, said South Africa will continue with its efforts under the regional SADC grouping to find lasting solutions to political problems in Zimbabwe and other flashpoints in Africa.
“As the chairperson of SADC and facilitator, we will participate in promoting the inclusive government until free and fair elections are held in Zimbabwe,” he said. ??
Zuma said problems in Africa, and Zimbabwe in particular, will impact on every nation in the region adding that it was important that neighbouring countries help Zimbabwe in its recovery efforts. ??
The South African president also vowed to continue supporting efforts to resolve conflicts on the continents hot spots including Darfur in Sudan, the Saharawi Arab Republic and Madagascar. ??
Zuma, who survived an eight-year battle against corruption charges that threatened to ruin him, was inaugurated as South Africas third democratically elected president last month following his ruling African National Congress (ANC) partys victory in national elections in April.
Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe, Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai and Deputy Prime Minister Arthur Mutambara formed a unity government under a power sharing deal brokered last year by former South African President Thabo Mbeki on behalf of the regional Southern Africa Development Community (SADC).
Under the inclusive government, Zimbabwe has halted its spectacular economic collapse, abandoning its worthless currency and easing price controls, which has brought food back on to store shelves.
But with state coffers empty, unemployment at 94 percent, more than half the population surviving on international food aid and some squabbles still dogging the unity government, the country remains mired in crisis.
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