Maravi

(TALKZIMBABWE) Zuma to continue supporting Zimbabwe

Zuma to continue supporting Zimbabwe
Nancy Pasipanodya
Thu, 04 Jun 2009 03:49:00 +0000

SOUTH AFRICAN President Jacob Zuma has vowed to continue with efforts to support Zimbabwe in its economic recovery efforts under the banner of the Southern African Development Community.

The newly elected president, currently chairman of Sadc, said Wednesday that the regional grouping will continue to support Zimbabwe’s inclusive Government until the next general elections are held in the country.

In a state of the union address Zuma urged “all peace-loving countries of the world” to support the inclusive Government in Harare to help resolve the current political and economic problems confronting it.

"The plight of the Zimbabwean people has had a negative impact on the Sadc region, especially South Africa. We call upon all peace-loving countries in the world to support the inclusive Government to achieve economic recovery."

Zuma said problems in Africa, and Zimbabwe in particular, will impact on every nation in the region adding that it was important that neighbouring help Zimbabwe in its recovery efforts.

"We will support the peace efforts of the African Union and the United Nations on the African continent, including in the Saharawi Arab Republic and Darfur in Sudan.

"As the Chairperson of Sadc and Facilitator, we will participate in promoting inclusive Government until free and fair elections are held in Zimbabwe," he said.

The South African president also vowed to continue with efforts to resolve the situation in Madagascar in his capacity as Sadc president.

"We will support efforts of the Sadc region to resolve the situation in Madagascar."

Zuma's statement is a blow to critics who expected President Zuma to take a hardline stance on Zimbabwe, especially after his predecessor Thabo Mbeki was criticized for his "quiet diplomatic" approach in resolving the crisis in Zimbabwe.

Former president Mbeki was the Sadc appointed facilitator in the power-sharing negotiations between Zanu PF and the two MDC formations.

Critics had expected the new president, who has close ties to the country's trade unions, to favour a shift away from former President Mbeki's policy.

MDC request for Sadc Extraordinary Summit

Sadc Executive Secretary Tomaz Salamao said the organization has not decided whether to hold yet another a extraordinary summit to help resolve the "outstanding issues" troubling the inclusive Government.

The MDC-T party led by Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai referred the "outstanding issues" to the regional body which is the guarantor of the Global Political Agreement.

The agreement, signed by President Mugabe and the two MDC leaders Morgan Tsvangirai and Arthur Mutambara on September 15, paved the way for the formation of the inclusive Government.

The outstanding issues relate to the tenure of the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe Governor Dr Gideon Gono and Attorney General Johannes Tomana.

The MDC-T demands that the two be replaced as they say they were appointed unilaterally by President Mugabe.

Labels: JACOB ZUMA, SADC

posted by MrK @ 12:52 AM