Final SADC Summit Update 6 and Communique

This point was vigorously opposed by ZANU-PF on the basis of some notion of state-sovereignty. Summit encouraged the parties to move faster in the implementation of the GPA and create a conducive environment to the holding of elections that will be free and fair, under conditions of a level political field.

Context:
ZANU-PF put up a spirited fight but its charm offensive failed. We are told at one point during the discussions there was a heated exchange between president Zuma and president Mugabe when Mugabe challenged the Facilitator’s report presented in Zambia. Zuma is said to have retorted: ” I do not manufacture things, my reports are based on things that are
happening in the country, based on facts.” Additionally, when ZANU-PF said they had not been given a copy of the report before-hand Dr. Salomao is said to have reported that indeed his office had sent copies of the report to all three parties on time. The ZANU-PF delegation left in a huff – they did not wait for the communique to be issued. MDC appears satisfied with
the outcome.

Analysis:
SADC leaders have maintained their position taken in Zambia, they are behind president Zuma, it appears. While they have said the right things, the challenge remains that of implementation. We wait to see ZANU-PF’s reaction, it may continue on the path of defiance. The Communique did not address time-lines in concrete terms. It did not address measures to be
taken by SADC in the event of non-compliance. The language of the Communique has somewhat been toned down in what appears to be an attempt to allow ZANU-PF to save face, but the contents have remained those agreed in Zambia. The Troika team to work with JOMIC is a significant development, depending on their specific terms of reference. We would have wanted a clear indication that progress should be reviewed at the August Summit in Angola. From this communique it is inconceivable that elections will be held in 2011.

State-controlled and ZANU-PF aligned media in Zimbabwe is misleading the public on the outcomes of the Summit – claiming the SADC rejected Livingstone resolutions.

Although not a loud bang, its an important step in the right direction that needs to be sustained and to be viewed as a building block on the democratization path. Thanks to president Zuma and his Facilitation Team for this definite shift in SADC position. (final_sandton_sadc_communique.pdf)