(TALKZIMBABWE) Zimbabwe’s problem complicated — Banda

Zimbabwe’s problem complicated — Banda
Ranganai Chidemo
Mon, 26 Jan 2009 16:21:00 +0000

THE Zambian President says the Zimbabwean problem is complicated and all leaders should exercise caution and keep pressing for a solution.

“The Zimbabwean problem is not a simple one. It dates back to the colonial days and there are land issues and many other issues included in the crisis,” said Banda to South Africa’s eNews on the sidelines of the ongoing Sadc Extraordinary Summit on Zimbabwe.

“We should try and keep pressing for a solution,” he added.

Banda also said that next week’s 12th Summit of the African Union in Addis Ababa will also try and thrash out the outstanding issues if today’s Extraordinary summit on Zimbabwe fails to come up with an agreement to form an all-inclusive Government in Zimbabwe.

Banda’s statement on Zimbabwe is in direct contrast to, and is more cautious than, former President Levy Mwanawasa’s stance on Zimbabwe. The late President Mwanawasa once described by President Mugabe as “frank” described Zimbabwe as a ‘sinking titanic’.

Analysts say Banda’s approach to the crisis in Zimbabwe leaves President Ian Seretse Khama of Botswana as a lone voice in the regional grouping calling for tough action against Zimbabwe. His Government has called for African nations to close their borders with landlocked Zimbabwe to force President Mugabe out.

Meanwhile, South African President has urged Zimbabwe leaders not to fail the continent and end the impasse with statesmanship.