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(HERALD) AU shuns debate on Zim

AU shuns debate on Zim
From Itai Musengeyi in SHARM EL-SHEIK, Egypt

THE two-day African Union summit began here yesterday with Zimbabwe not on the agenda of the summit as had been wished by its detractors who predicted African leaders would put pressure on Harare following last Friday’s presidential run-off won by President Mugabe. Although speakers at the opening did mention Zimbabwe, their comments were not hostile but encouraged dialogue between the major political parties in the country.

At his swearing-in ceremony in Harare on Sunday just before he flew here, Cde Mugabe said Government was prepared for dialogue with the opposition MDC-T, but only if it came into the talks with its own agenda and not a Western-foisted stance.

AU chairman President Jakaya Kikwete of Tanzania said while the people of Zimbabwe should be congratulated on the just-ended election, the country needed assistance to move ahead because it was facing serious challenges.

The economic malaise bedevelling Zimbabwe has been a result of the British, American and European Union-imposed illegal sanctions that the West are threatening to deepen following Cde Mugabe’s landslide victory over their favoured MDC-T leader Morgan Tsvangirai.

In his speech, AU Commission chairman Mr Jean Ping said Africa must help Zimbabwe’s parties to work together in the interest of their country to overcome the present challenges.

"I would like, here, to commend the efforts of the leaders of the region (Sadc) and their commitment to assist the Zimbabwean parties in the search for a lasting solution to the problems in that country," said Mr Ping.

Host President Hosni Mubarak made no direct mention of Zimbabwe although the Western media, which is openly anti-Harare, tried to spin a part of his speech that peace and security were of paramount importance on the continent to mean that it was directed at Zimbabwe.

The AU Peace and Security Council, which met on Sunday, also did not make Zimbabwe a matter for the body expressing worry on real security trouble spots on the continent such as Somalia.

The anti-Zimbabwe media had frantically predicted that the AU Peace and Security Council would discuss Zimbabwe and come up with a resolution.

Speculation was, however, rife that the summit would discuss Zimbabwe in the closed session. However, it has always been the AU tradition that certain matters are discussed behind closed doors where countries explain their situation vis-à-vis concerns that may have been raised by fellow member countries.

Details of the closed session or whether had it discussed Zimbabwe were not immediately available late last night.

When he wound up his campaign for the run-off President Mugabe made it clear he was prepared to face any leader at the summit over the elections because some of them had worse election records.

President Mugabe arrived here early yesterday morning. He was met at the Sharm el-Sheik Airport by Foreign Minister Cde Simbarashe Mumbengegwi, the Minister of Industry and International Trade Cde Obert Mpofu, Zimbabwe’s Ambassador to Egypt Cde Aaron Mabhoyi-Ncube, senior embassy and Egyptian government officials.

The President is being accompanied by the First Lady, Amai Grace Mugabe; the Minister of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs, Cde Patrick Chinamasa; and senior Government officials.

Amai Mugabe was yesterday expected to join her colleagues at a First Ladies’ Forum to discuss a number of issues including the HIV/Aids pandemic.

Labels: AU, ELECTIONS, JEAN PING, ZIMBABWE

posted by MrK @ 6:14 PM