Pretoria | Monday
SOUTH AFRICA on Monday voiced displeasure at what it described as an inclination by developed nations to punish all of Africa for Zimbabwe’s sins.
”If one country has done certain things… you must not try to also punish other people,” Deputy President Jacob Zuma told reporters in Pretoria.
”There is a tendency to look at one country and say that it is every country in Africa … to almost want to punish all countries in Africa collectively. Zimbabwe was such an example,” he said.
Zuma was speaking after the opening of the fourth session of the South African-Nigerian Binational Commission.
He earlier told delegates: ”We need to vigorously challenge the doctrine of collective punishment that is emerging in relationships between Africa and the developed north.”
In terms of this doctrine, unacceptable conduct by a single African country or leader could scupper support for an initiative such as Nepad (New Partnership for Africa’s Development).
Zuma said there had been indications that Nepad might be in jeopardy if Africa did not respond ”appropriately” to problems in Zimbabwe.
”That was a direct threat to all countries… of collective punishment,” he said.
Western countries have tended to condemn the recent Zimbabwean presidential election as deeply flawed, while several African nations – South Africa included – accepted the poll as at least legitimate or credible.
More than one Western country, including Britain and Canada, has reportedly threatened to withdraw support for Nepad if African leaders in the Commonwealth did not support action against Zimbabwe.
This apparently resulted in the suspension earlier in the week of Zimbabwe from Commonwealth councils. The decision was taken by a committee comprising President Thabo Mbeki, his Nigerian counterpart Olusegun Obasanjo, and Australian Prime Minister John Howard.
Zuma on Monday also complained about African presidents being held responsible for bringing Zimbabwe into line.
If a country like France misbehaved, one did not hear ”everything is in the hands of (British Prime Minister) Tony Blair to ensure that France is put into place,” Zuma said.
His Nigerian counterpart Atiku Abubakar accused Western media of seeking racial divisions among Commonwealth countries in their stance on Zimbabwe.
The eventual decision on Zimbabwe’s suspension had proven the media wrong, Abubakar said.
Zuma expressed confidence that initiatives to restore peace and stability to Zimbabwe would bear fruit.
The suspension of Zimbabwe from the Commonwealth should serve as an incentive for Zimbabweans to work together to rebuild their country.
”The most critical challenge… is to assist Zimbabwe to reconstruct their economy, deal with food shortages, handle land reform in a law-governed manner to bring about political and social stability,” he said.
Zuma added: ”We will continue in pursuit of our objectives and those of the Commonwealth. We will continue discussions with the government of Zimbabwe as the elected government of that country.”
In their opening statements on the binational commission, Zuma and Abubakar, who will co-chair the event, both highlighted improved trade ties between the two countries.
Zuma said South African exports to Nigeria had risen by about 200% between 1993 and 2000, and imports by 400%. The fourth session of the commission would seek to consolidate existing relations and explore new areas of co-operation, the two deputy presidents said.
The fourth session is scheduled to continue until Thursday. – Sapa