Reign in Mugabe – SADC told

The SDC said called on SADC leaders, who sit this evening, to do justice to South Africas President Jacob Zuma, whose report at the Troika Summit in Livingstone three months ago saw the regional blocs organ lunge at Mugabe for the first time in history.
The SADC must now strive to rescue its reputation and put its weight behind the people of Zimbabwe so that they are able to exercise their democratic rights in a conducive environment, said the movements spokesman, Stephen Faulkner.
The South African Government must stand firm and stop protecting Mugabe and decisively side with the people of Zimbabwe against his barbarous rule. Those campaigning for democracy in Swaziland share the frustrations of the people of Zimbabwe.
The Swazi people have been left at the mercy of the SADCs economic way of dealing with dictatorships, hearing endless excuses for inaction while the Mswati regime allegedly arrests, tortures and murders its citizens rather than respect their democratic rights.
How can the democratic protocols and policies of SADC and AU be respected when governments ignore them when it is politically convenient? There is however, absolutely no doubt that a move towards democratic rule in Zimbabwe will immeasurably assist the struggles for democracy everywhere.
As events unfolding in North Africa, and in the Arab states has indicated, there is a growing recognition that the only way to make significant changes in Zimbabwe, in Swaziland and in all of those countries where undemocratic practices have taken root, is for there to be a vibrant mass-based civil society, encompassing, trade unions, faith based organisations, youth organisations and social movements that is capable of defending democratic rights.
Mugabe and Mswati know this very well, thats why they spend substantial resources on state security services, and on the instruments of repression. Thats why Mugabe arrests those innocently watching a film about events in Egypt. Thats why Mswati murders and imprisons those who dare to wear struggle T-shirts. Dictators are terrified of a mass democratic movement emerging that can challenge their power and wastefulness. The actions of Mugabe and Mswati are the actions of those desperate to hold onto power at all costs, but their actions also expose their fragility.
The SDC called on the regional bloc to make a bold decision today.
It can either continue to be part of the problem and effectively do nothing, or it can break with its own sorry past, and be part of a popular solution that puts the needs of the people first. Either way, the democratic forces of our Continent will push ahead and assert their rights. Down with Mugabe, down with Mswati. Forward with the People. Forward to Democracy.
The organization said that the SADC has in the past destroyed its own reputation by prevaricating on the need for democratic change in Zimbabwe and by endlessly pandering to the whims and prejudices of Robert Mugabe.
In the face of irrefutable evidence of violence, including physical abuse, blatant interference and widespread fraud, SADC failed to defend the democratic majority who voted for real change, and failed to unambiguously condemn the terror unleashed by forces loyal to Mugabe.
A range of respected human rights organisations and many eye witnesses have drawn attention to the way that ZANU-PF supporters used the worst possible means to intimidate poor communities, including rape and illegal abductions.

ENDS/