Briefing the media in Johannesburg soon after another SADC summit resolved to work towards total democracy, relieved civil rights leaders said they would work to ensure that what SADC has committed to on paper is translated to happenings on the ground. They urged the body to take remedial action over Mugabe’s continued flouting of the GPA and contempt for the SADC.
“We are pleased with the summit outcome, which calls for the drafting of a clear election roadmap, the need for a full implementation of the GPA, the strengthening of the Joint Monitoring and Implementation Committee and the holding of elections only after all democratic principles exist for a free and fair poll,” said Philip Pasirayi, spokesman for the Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition.
“We are also happy that the SADC has resolved to keep President Jacob Zuma in the mediation role, against the wishes of Zanu (PF) because this will ensure continuity on the implementation of outstanding issues in Zimbabwe, but we believe that more still needs to be done on the ground.”
The civil society leaders reiterated the need for the SADC to be kept updated on the situation on the ground in Zimbabwe, where democracy is still far from being achieved, adding that only that would push the regional grouping to act where human rights issues are trampled upon.
“It is now time for action on the ground because Zimbabwe has been dominating SADC summits for the past 10 years and such resolutions as these have been adopted time and again, yet nothing has changed in Zimbabwe,” said Dzimbabwe Chimbga of the Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights.
It remains to be seen if the issues raised at the summit will be addressed, but the civil society leaders begin that this gives them a chance to steer the discourse to Zimbabweans’ favour.
“We cannot expect SADC to do everything for us, hence our resolve to take it upon ourselves to lobby Zimbabweans and other organizations and individuals in the region to act for the good of both Zimbabwe and the whole region,” said Dewa Mavhinga, the Crisis in Zimbabwe Regional coordinator.
Post published in: News