The Democratic Alliance demanded on Wednesday that the Commonwealth report on Zimbabwe be released, following the body’s recent decision to extend the suspension of the southern African country from the grouping of mostly former British colonies.
In a statement released in London, DA leader Tony Leon said the report apparently painted a negative picture of the situation in Zimbabwe.
”It is my understanding that the report paints an extremely negative picture of the situation on the ground in Zimbabwe, hence the disagreement in the troika leadership,” Leon said.
The DA leader held talks with senior British parliamentarians and also met with the Commonwealth secretary-general Don McKinnon and other senior officials during a visit to London.
The suspension, which was extended in March, is effective until December when it will be discussed at a Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting. The troika, comprising the leaders of South Africa, Nigeria and Australia, was initially appointed to make recommendations about Zimbabwe’s status within the body.
Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo and Thabo Mbeki of South Africa had supported Zimbabwe’s readmittance to the Commonwealth, while Australian Prime Minister John Howard wanted the suspension to remain.
Leon said he understood that Howard had instructed the Commonwealth secretary-general to distribute the report on the progress in Zimbabwe towards democracy to all the body’s heads of government.
”This report should be published by President Mbeki in South Africa so that our own foreign policy making can be more coherent and transparent.”
He said it remained a puzzle to South Africa’s staunchest friends and supporters how the government could continue with its quiet diplomacy despite it not making any impact on Zimbabwe’s president Robert Mugabe.
”It is quite clear that Zimbabwe and our approach towards the continuing crisis there, remains judge and jury of South Africa’s own commitment to Nepad (the New Partnership for Africa’s Development) and the principles of good governance and sound economics.
”I believe it’s a matter of frustration to our allies and friends that we do not at the very least distance ourselves in a visible and voluble way from the failing regime in Harare.”
Leon said South Africa was one of the success stories on the African continent and that the goodwill towards the country should not be squandered by continued support for the ”despotic Mugabe regime”. – Sapa