AFRICAN and Asian countries are likely to strengthen their ”solidarity stance” on Zimbabwe at the Non-Aligned Movement’s ministerial meeting in Durban over the weekend, diplomatic sources say.
The African bloc was supported by Asian and Middle Eastern states last week in blocking a European Union resolution in the United Nations Human Rights Commission expressing concern over violence in Zimbabwe.
The draft resolution tabled in Geneva urged Zimbabwe to invite UN rights experts to visit the country.
A bloc of 14 African states led by Nigeria introduced a ”no-action” motion last Friday, which rejected the EU resolution as ”politically motivated”.
According to AFP, Nigeria’s delegate told the commission there could be no debate on human rights without first dealing with the land issue.
South Africa, Algeria, Burundi, Kenya, Libya, Nigeria, Senegal and Zambia voted against the EU resolution, with Cameroon abstaining. China, Cuba, Russia and Syria supported the African bloc, with Japan abstaining.
A diplomat said Zimbabwe was expected to feature on the agenda of the NAM’s weekend meeting. The 115-member body, which comprises almost the entire Third World, is expected to reiterate the stance taken by the African bloc in Geneva.
”Their common colonial history and the race factor will reinforce the position,” said a diplomatic source.
The ministerial meeting is also expected to come up with a venue and a date for the 13th NAM summit.