The Democratic Alliance has renewed its call for bold leadership from the South African government in helping to resolve the crisis in Zimbabwe.
In his weekly newsletter on Thursday, DA leader Tony Leon quoted at length from statements made by President Thabo Mbeki over the past several months regarding Zimbabwe.
”More than eight months have passed since President Mbeki began making pledges and assurances about dialogue between the parties in Zimbabwe (the governing Zanu-PF and Movement for Democratic Change opposition),” he said.
”President Mbeki has given strong assurances of his good faith to (United States) President (George) Bush, British Prime Minister Tony Blair, and British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw.
”And as the outgoing leader of the African Union, President Mbeki certainly has had ample political leverage. Surely if he had been serious about creating real political dialogue in Zimbabwe, he has had ample time and opportunity to do so.
”But after so many months of broken promises and disappointed expectations, we must conclude that President Mbeki has failed to deliver,” Leon said.
Even strong supporters of the African National Congress had begun to pour scorn on Mbeki’s policy of ”quiet diplomacy”.
Leon said it was time to ”throw away” quiet diplomacy and move to Plan B — a ”road map” to democracy in Zimbabwe that set out clear steps to be taken in Zimbabwe, with the participation of all parties, towards restoring human rights, reforming the Constitution, and preparing for new elections.
The ”road map” should include clear deadlines, clear rewards for progress, and clear punishments for failure.
Bold leadership from the South African government, which had thus far been lacking, was desperately needed to improve the current situation in Zimbabwe.
”Clear plans and commitments are needed. False promises about dialogue are no longer acceptable,” Leon said. – Sapa