The failure of the members of the SADC Troika to meet in Gaborone last week not only reflects very badly on them but shows in what contempt they hold the people of Zimbabwe and their continued suffering.
We find it extremely rude for Zambias president Rupiah Banda and his Mozambican counterpart Armando Guebuza to fail to attend the pre-agreed summit, giving flimsy excuses about being busy. We must give credit where credit is due, and thank South African President Jacob Zuma for taking the trouble to pitch up.
His visit to Zimbabwe this week shows, at least, that he is trying to engage with the problem.
The Troika was appointed by a full meeting of SADC leaders, the guarantors of the GPA, to oversee implementation of the agreement in Zimbabwe. The no-show last week demonstrates that there is no commitment on the part of the regional body.
Indeed, no one would be blamed for suspecting that they are conniving with Mugabe to continue to allow him a free hand in flouting both the letter and the spirit of the agreement.
This latest episode in the long and lamentable saga of SADCs handling of the Zimbabwe crisis confirms the regional bodys duplicity. It would actually be better for Zimbabweans if SADC was just a toothless bulldog. But it is worse than that, it is actively working to support the continued suffering of a nation under a corrupt, un-democratic and violent dictatorship.
They are showing the world a very bad example of how African institutions operate. They dont even take themselves seriously. SADC leaders told the world to give them a chance to solve the Zimbabwean crisis. But they have allowed it to limp on and on with no serious attempt at resolution.
They dont deserve our respect and control of our destiny should be removed from them.
Post published in: Editor: Wilf Mbanga