Maravi

(TALKZIMBABWE) Illegal sanctions threaten Zim unity: Zuma

Illegal sanctions threaten Zim unity: Zuma
Floyd Nkomo
Tue, 23 Feb 2010 02:29:00 +0000

PRESIDENT Jacob Zuma of South Africa says illegal and ruinous sanctions against Zimbabwe are undermining his work as Sadc mediator and jeopardising the power-sharing agreement (the Global Political Agreement) signed by the country’s three main political parties which led to the formation of the inclusive Government.

In a recent interview with the Sunday Times, President Zuma blasted the European Union and critics of South Africa’s stance on Zimbabwe. Zuma's statement comes a week after the EU extended Zimbabwean sanctions for another year alleging "lack of progress in the implementation of the GPA".

President Zuma challenged his critics to come out in the open on what they had done to help Zimbabwe.

"Criticisms made against South Africa are not fair. Those who have criticised South Africa have done absolutely nothing.

"They have not produced even a single document. South Africa deliberately took a decision to engage Zimbabweans even before Sadc moved in.

"That engagement helped the country produce a clause that helped the country in the last election and led Sadc to say South Africa must continue.

"It is South Africa (that) negotiated the agreement that led to the unity Government in Zimbabwe. All the critics cannot produce a report of what they have done.

"It’s unfair. We are still working harder to nurse the situation so that it is resolved," he said.

President Zuma added: "We want to create a conducive environment so that they (Zimbabweans) can have elections to choose their own government but the continuation of sanctions is undermining the agreement.

"We need to reach a point where they will go to elections without a fight. We need to put a platform for them to move forward.

President Zuma described the Zimbabwean situation as complex.

"People don’t seem to be looking at Zimbabwe in totality. They wanted us to shout on top of our voices. That would have undermined negotiations."

Labels: JACOB ZUMA, SANCTIONS, ZIMBABWE

posted by MrK @ 5:19 AM