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(TALKZIMBABWE) MDC-T's arm twisting should not compromise Sadc

MDC-T's arm twisting should not compromise Sadc
Comment
Wed, 28 Oct 2009 03:43:00 +0000

PRIME Minister Morgan Tsvangirai seems to have mastered the art of arm twisting everyone but President Mugabe and Zanu PF to have things done his way.

Tsvangirai made a hurried and improptu tour of Sadc recently, and all Heads of States and Governments visited had to alter their busy schedules to accommodate him. One wonders on what mandate he did that. Surely governments and regional governments should follow diplomatic protocol.

The Prime Minister did not have clearance from the Chief Secretary to the President and Cabinet to go on that 'state visit'. The Sadc leaders he visited would have, however, afforded him the diplomatic protection and courtesy deserving of a prime minister of a member state.

In any case, PM Tsvangirai 'informed' President Mugabe through the press of his party's intention to "disengage" from the inclusive Government. This is neither honourable nor diplomatic. It is childish and mindless and Sadc should have been unequivocal in denying him any space.

The best way would have been for the Prime Minister to inform the other principals of his intentions, before setting off to Sadc.

He, however, visited these countries as MDC-T leader, lobbying on behalf of his party.

The indictment of Bennett has nothing to do with Sadc. He is not a GPA item, neither is his non-appointment a threat to regional peace and stability.

It is indeed not procedural and definitely not within the provisions of the GPA for PM Tsvangirai to consult Sadc on behalf of either MDC-T or inclusive Government.

The Joint Monitoring and Implementation Committee (Jomic) and the three parties' negotiators are the conduit between Sadc and the inclusive Government of Zimbabwe. They are responsible for taking the "sticking issues" to Sadc and AU.

Tsvangirai's party has its negotiators who should lobby on his behalf. He should be concentrating on affairs of the state.

Sadc must be wary of its 'open door policy' to Tsvangirai and the MDC-T party, otherwise they will set a precedent that will practically set the grouping on a collision course with member states needing their mediation.

The GPA does not mandate PM Tsvangirai to speak and decide when to consult Sadc on "oustanding issues".

It is refreshing to know that the Sadc Troika visit was a pre-scheduled visit and not one triggered off by PM Tsvangirai's "boycott" visit.

The Troika visit is a monitoring and evaluation visit decided at the last Sadc Summit in the DRC. It is, and importantly so, not a reaction to PM Tsvangirai and MDC-T's call and protest.

Otherwise Sadc will have to do the same when President Mugabe and DPM Mutambara and their parties, call and protest. This would leave Sadc severely compromised.

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Labels: MDC, NATIONAL UNITY GOVERNMENT, SADC

posted by MrK @ 4:22 AM