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(HERALD) Sadc at your disposal: Zuma

Sadc at your disposal: Zuma
Herald Reporters

The inclusive Government has made great strides in addressing the challenges in Zimbabwe and the remaining issues in the implementation of the Global Political Agreement can be overcome, South African President and Sadc chair Jacob Zuma said last night.

The South African leader — who was speaking at a banquet hosted for him by President Mugabe and First Lady Amai Grace Mugabe at State House in Harare — said the regional bloc would continue to assist Zimbabwe.

"Sadc remains at your disposal for assistance. The remaining issues are not insurmountable, and can be overcome. The most difficult path has already been travelled," he said.

President Zuma said the bonds Zimbabwe and SA built in fighting oppression continued to guide interaction between the two countries.

"The bonds that united us when we battled the inhuman systems of apartheid and colonialism still guide us today as we endeavour to build a better life for all our people.

"We remain very committed as guarantors of the implementation of the Global Political Agreement and partners, to continue working with the Zimbabwean people to find solutions," President Zuma said.

South Africans, he said, were closely following with interest the positive developments taking place in Zimbabwe since the signing of the GPA and the subsequent formation of the inclusive Government.

"These are positive developments that foretell good things that will come to the Zimbabwean nation. This achievement signalled to the people of Zimbabwe, the region and the world, that the Zimbabwean political leadership was ready to collectively tackle the political and socio-economic challenges head-on.

"We are all encouraged by how the three parties put their differences aside in the service of this country. It is indeed very encouraging to note the significant progress that has been made under the auspices of the inclusive Government," President Zuma said.

He said he looked forward to officially opening the Harare Agricultural Show today, and was encouraged by what Zimbabwean farmers had achieved amidst paucity of resources and the global economic recession.

Head of State and Government and Commander-in-Chief of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces President Mugabe thanked South Africa for solidly standing by Zimbabwe in the face of unjustified economic sanctions and vilification by Western governments.

He thanked South Africa over the manner it handled the stand-off between Zimbabwe and the West.

"Your Government stood by us in the face of unjustified sanctions and vilification by Western governments, led by the British and Americans.

"Alongside other progressive and objective governments, you resisted the unwarranted attempts by these governments to put Zimbabwe on the agenda of the United Nations Security Council.

"Hence we thank South Africa for courageously fighting to stop the machinations of those who would have liked to manipulate and abuse this important body, the Security Council, for selfish political ends," President Mugabe said.

"Furthermore, within the auspices of Sadc, which you currently chair, a number of commitments were made by member states to help us resuscitate our economy.

"In this vein, Cde President, let me take this opportunity to thank you personally and your government for providing us with direct budget support and lines of credit to our industry."

He acknowledged South Africa’s assistance with agriculture inputs worth R300 million soon after the formation of the inclusive Government saying the support went a long way in giving confidence to the new Government.

President Mugabe also expressed gratitude to President Zuma’s predecessors, Cdes Thabo Mbeki and Kgalema Motlanthe, for "handling the conflictual political situation in Zimbabwe with great vision and foresight".

Sadc-appointed facilitator Cde Mbeki had played an instrumental role in bringing Zanu-PF and the MDC formations to the negotiating table.

"I am happy to inform you that the inclusive Government is alive and well and that the three principals are committed to its success," President Mugabe said. "Indeed, a political accommodation of this nature is bound to experience teething problems."

This, he said, had not detracted the inclusive Government from its common vision to establish peace, turn around the economy, and work to deliver the services expected by the people.

Inflation has been tamed and schools and hospitals were now functional though economic sanctions remained the "greatest constraining factor".

President Mugabe said the constitution-making process was on course, the Organ on National Healing had been launched and dialogue with the EU and other Western countries had started.

He emphasised that President Zuma’s visit cemented the already strong friendship and alliance forged in the trenches by Zanu-PF and the ANC during the colonial and apartheid eras.

President Mugabe expressed gratitude that President Zuma accepted Government’s invitation to be the Guest of Honour at the 99th edition of the Harare Agriculture Show.

The event, he said, presented an opportunity to those in the agriculture sector to showcase their activities and products and he was delighted that South African companies responded positively to Zimbabwe’s invitation to participate at the Show.

"Participation at each other’s shows mutually benefits our two peoples as it promotes trade, investment and development in both countries.

"Your participation at the show will not only boost confidence in the agriculture sector, but in other sectors as well, especially that manufacturing sector which is very much dependent on agriculture," President Mugabe said.

Turning to regional matters, the President observed that the stable political and security situation in the region augured well for Sadc’s quest for economic development and integration.

Developments in the DRC gave hope for lasting peace and security in that country and welcomed the co-operative spirit characterising relations among countries around the Great Lakes region.

"We are also encouraged by the recent developments in Madagascar where the leaders have agreed to resolve their political differences through an inclusive dialogue process.

"Within the realm of Sadc, we should continue to lend support to the peace process so that the country reverts to constitutional normalcy," President Mugabe said.

While ruing Zimbabwe’s absence from the 2010 Soccer World Cup, President Mugabe wished South Africa success in the tournament that it will host.

"We wish you success in hosting the tournament. Apart from promoting sport in our continent, we are mindful of the economic benefits, which this event could generate for the region.

"We therefore need to closely work together bilaterally and within the framework of Sadc so that we maximise the opportunity of obtaining benefits into our areas of tourism and commerce."

Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai yesterday said the South African leader was not coming to Zimbabwe as a judge or adjudicator to the GPA but to see the strides made by the inclusive Government.

Responding to questions soon after a tour of exhibition stands at the Harare Agriculture Show, the PM said President Zuma was in Zimbabwe for the official opening of the Show.

He added that President Zuma would use this as an opportunity to review progress in Zimbabwe as the chairperson of Sadc, which is the guarantor of the GPA along with the African Union.

"President Zuma is not coming as prosecutor or judge to the inclusive Government but will meet the principals to evaluate the progress of the agreement so far.

"The meetings will take place as the South African government has said and will obviously seek to make sure finality is reached in the implementation of the agreement," he said.

President Zuma met President Mugabe yesterday evening and planned to meet PM Tsvangirai late last night.

President Zuma was given a rapturous welcome at the Harare International Airport when he arrived in the evening.

Dancing to the thumping tune of President Zuma’s trademark "Umshini wami" beat, the crowd chanted President Mugabe and President Zuma’s names as the two leaders greeted them.

In the welcoming party were Prime Minister Tsvangirai, Cabinet ministers from the parties in the inclusive Government and other senior State officials.

President Zuma was given the 21-gun salute accorded to a Head of State and inspected of a guard of honour mounted by the Presidential Guard.

He is scheduled to return to South Africa later today after touring and opening the Show.

Labels: JACOB ZUMA, MUGABE, SADC

posted by MrK @ 4:12 PM