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(NEWZIMBABWE) SADC calls summit over Zim, DRC

SADC calls summit over Zim, DRC
06/12/2012 00:00:00
by Staff Reporter

THE regional SADC meeting will hold an extra-ordinary summit in Tanzania beginning Friday to discuss the crisis in the DRC as well as review its facilitation process in Zimbabwe.

The summit comes after rebels, said to be backed by Rwanda and Uganda, overran government forces and seized a key city in the eastern DRC before threatening to topple President Joseph Kabila’s administration.

In a statement Thursday, the South African presidency said: “The issues to be considered by the Troika, the Double Troika and the full Summit include the crisis in the eastern part of the DRC.

"The Extra-Ordinary Summit is also expected to discuss the situations in Madagascar and Zimbabwe.

“South Africa will be expected to report on the facilitation process in the Republic of Zimbabwe whilst the Chair of SADC will report to the Summit on the mediation process in Madagascar.”

President Jacob Zuma has been helping facilitate negotiations between Zimbabwe’s coalition parties over a so-called roadmap to new elections expected next March.

Zanu PF and the MDC formations are trying to reach a deal over the country’s new constitution which is part of a raft of reforms expected to ensure the election outcome is not disputed.

SADC intervened to facilitate the coalition deal after the disputed 2008 ballot.

But both President Robert Mugabe and Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai agree new elections must be held to choose a substantive government.

Labels: DRC, SADC

posted by MrK @ 6:14 AM