Zim crisis to be addressed at AU Summit
Posted 26th June 2008 at 06:18 PM by NewsTracker
By Luyanda Makapela
Sharm-El-Shaik – The current situation in Zimbabwe is to be discussed in the African Union Assembly at the 2008 AU Summit being held in Egypt.
Although it had not been mentioned on the agenda of the African Union's Permanent Representative Committee, a report is to be presented following the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Troika’s meeting in Swaziland.
This is according to the committee’s Chairman Mohammed Maundi, who said that as the SADC was in charge of the Zimbabwean elections and as organ of the AU, the Zimbabwe issue will feature in the African Union Assembly
Addressing the media on Thursday in preparation for the 11th Ordinary Session of Heads of State, Mr Maundi said the SADC has been meeting at different levels in Swaziland to discuss the Zimbabwe issue.
"During the Assembly, the AU will be presented with the report following the SADC Troika meeting in Swaziland to discuss this issue.
“It might be the subject of discussions," said Ambassador Maundi, who is also a Tanzanian Ambassador to Ethiopia.
The SADC Organ Troika Summit, held in Lozitha Palace, Manzini, in Swaziland on Wednesday commended the 400 SADC election observers for their efforts in observing the elections in Zimbabwe.
The main aim of the meeting was to consult on the latest developments in Zimbabwe and the political situation in Malawi.
The meeting noted with disappointment that opposition leader, Morgan Tsvangirai has formally withdrawn from the presidential run-off election scheduled to take place on Friday.
On Wednesday, South Africa reiterated it’s commitment to working with all the parties and to do all that is possible to resolve the situation.
Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister Aziz Pahad said on Wednesday the South African government will do everything in its power and within the framework of the SADC facilitation process to assist the people of Zimbabwe to find a lasting solution to their current political challenges.
Briefing reporters at the Union Buildings, he said there must be increased efforts to get the two main players, current President Robert Mugabe and MDC leader Mr Tsvangirai to meet.
President Thabo Mbeki's said at the weekend that the Zimbabwean leadership would still be open to a process that would result in them coming to some agreement about what happens to their country.
"South Africa will continue with its efforts to encourage the political leadership of Zimbabwe to urgently interact among themselves to find a lasting solution to the current impasse."
On whether South Africa would recognise the election set to take place on Friday, Mr Pahad said that was a decision to be taken by the Zimbabweans.
"We will leave it to the Zimbabweans to determine that," Mr Pahad said.
For clarity on the situation, Mr Pahad indicated that Mr Tsvangirai would host a media briefing that would give clarity on the situation in Zimbabwe.
On Tuesday President Mugabe's government said they would go ahead with a presidential run-off election on Friday despite the withdrawal of the only opposition candidate, citing political violence against his supporters.
Mr Tsvangirai, who is reported to be in the Dutch embassy in Harare, pulled out of the run-off election, by sending an official letter to the electoral commission Tuesday. – BuaNews
Sharm-El-Shaik – The current situation in Zimbabwe is to be discussed in the African Union Assembly at the 2008 AU Summit being held in Egypt.
Although it had not been mentioned on the agenda of the African Union's Permanent Representative Committee, a report is to be presented following the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Troika’s meeting in Swaziland.
This is according to the committee’s Chairman Mohammed Maundi, who said that as the SADC was in charge of the Zimbabwean elections and as organ of the AU, the Zimbabwe issue will feature in the African Union Assembly
Addressing the media on Thursday in preparation for the 11th Ordinary Session of Heads of State, Mr Maundi said the SADC has been meeting at different levels in Swaziland to discuss the Zimbabwe issue.
"During the Assembly, the AU will be presented with the report following the SADC Troika meeting in Swaziland to discuss this issue.
“It might be the subject of discussions," said Ambassador Maundi, who is also a Tanzanian Ambassador to Ethiopia.
The SADC Organ Troika Summit, held in Lozitha Palace, Manzini, in Swaziland on Wednesday commended the 400 SADC election observers for their efforts in observing the elections in Zimbabwe.
The main aim of the meeting was to consult on the latest developments in Zimbabwe and the political situation in Malawi.
The meeting noted with disappointment that opposition leader, Morgan Tsvangirai has formally withdrawn from the presidential run-off election scheduled to take place on Friday.
On Wednesday, South Africa reiterated it’s commitment to working with all the parties and to do all that is possible to resolve the situation.
Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister Aziz Pahad said on Wednesday the South African government will do everything in its power and within the framework of the SADC facilitation process to assist the people of Zimbabwe to find a lasting solution to their current political challenges.
Briefing reporters at the Union Buildings, he said there must be increased efforts to get the two main players, current President Robert Mugabe and MDC leader Mr Tsvangirai to meet.
President Thabo Mbeki's said at the weekend that the Zimbabwean leadership would still be open to a process that would result in them coming to some agreement about what happens to their country.
"South Africa will continue with its efforts to encourage the political leadership of Zimbabwe to urgently interact among themselves to find a lasting solution to the current impasse."
On whether South Africa would recognise the election set to take place on Friday, Mr Pahad said that was a decision to be taken by the Zimbabweans.
"We will leave it to the Zimbabweans to determine that," Mr Pahad said.
For clarity on the situation, Mr Pahad indicated that Mr Tsvangirai would host a media briefing that would give clarity on the situation in Zimbabwe.
On Tuesday President Mugabe's government said they would go ahead with a presidential run-off election on Friday despite the withdrawal of the only opposition candidate, citing political violence against his supporters.
Mr Tsvangirai, who is reported to be in the Dutch embassy in Harare, pulled out of the run-off election, by sending an official letter to the electoral commission Tuesday. – BuaNews
Total Comments 0
Comments
Total Trackbacks 0
