Maravi

(NEWZIMBABWE) SA must lead on Zimbabwe: Cameron

SA must lead on Zimbabwe: Cameron
22/03/2012 00:00:00
by Gilbert Nyambabvu

BRITISH Prime Minister David Cameron has said “it is critical” that South Africa and the rest of the region take the lead in ensuring that Zimbabwe implements political reforms before new elections can be held. Cameron was speaking during a meeting with Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai in the House of Commons in London this week.

“Both (leaders) agreed that the international community should insist on constitutional reforms before the elections so that they are free and fair and that whilst the UK was fully supportive, it was critical for South Africa and other Southern African Development Community (SADC) countries to take the lead,” the UK premier said in a statement.

“The Prime Minister re-stated how passionate he was about wanting Zimbabwe to succeed and commended the MDC on progress made on the economy.”

Tsvangirai, who was in the UK to attend an investment conference, had earlier urged the international community help ensure that elections likely to be held this year are free and fair.

"My call to the world is, 'You must insist on the necessary reforms to create a conducive environment for free and fair elections and a lasting solution to the crisis in Zimbabwe,'" The MDC-T leader said in an interview.

“We need the international community to ensure that the will of the people is respected."

Tsvangirai believes he can win the next election but fears that security chiefs -- who are seen as pillars of support for President Robert Mugabe -- would not allow him to take over power.

"The latest polls reinforce the long-held view that the people want change, that people have invested in the MDC because it provides hope for the future, and President Mugabe is still engrossed in the past," he said.

"You can't have an 88-year-old provide vision for the future."

Tsvangirai claims military leaders have privately told him they would accept no other leader, and wants political reforms implemented in full to ensure that the election outcome cannot be subverted.

However, Mugabe has threatened to call new elections without the reforms, frustrated by delays in completing work on a new constitution.

He accuses his rivals of undermining ongoing constitutional reforms to delay elections, fearing certain defeat.

Meanwhile Tsvangirai’s office also said the MDC-T leader also met Vince Cable, the UK secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills “to discuss the business environment in Zimbabwe (as well as explain) the vast opportunities that lie in the country.”

Labels: 2011 ELECTIONS (ZIMBABWE), NEOLIBERALISM, SOUTH AFRICA, UK

posted by MrK @ 1:28 PM