Minister of Foreign Affairs Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma on Thursday defended South Africa’s policy of quiet diplomacy on Zimbabwe, saying louder lobbying of President Robert Mugabe has not yielded results.
South Africa has drawn criticism for failing to take a tough stand with Mugabe, whom opposition leaders blame for the political and economic crisis gripping Zimbabwe.
”We have never condoned things that are wrong that happen in Zimbabwe; the only difference probably has been how we deal with them,” said Dlamini-Zuma, following talks in London with Britain’s Foreign Secretary Jack Straw.
”If there is something wrong in Zimbabwe, we don’t say it’s right.”
Morgan Tsvangirai, leader of Zimbabwe’s main opposition Movement for Democratic Change, said South African President Thabo Mbeki has assured him he will be trying new strategies with Mugabe.
”I think everyone knows President Mbeki is really a part of the solution to the Zimbabwe crisis, but has failed to do so over the past few years through quiet diplomacy,” Tsvangirai told a news conference on Wednesday. ”What he can do and what he assured me he is going to do is change strategy about how to influence the course of events in Zimbabwe.”
Dlamini-Zuma declined to elaborate on what that strategy might be. Asked if she agrees that quiet diplomacy has not worked, she responded: ”Loud diplomacy hasn’t worked either.”
Meeting with British counterpart
The minister met Straw in London on Thursday morning as part of her three-nation European visit, her office said.
Department of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Ronnie Mamoepa said Dlamini-Zuma and Straw discussed ”bilateral political relations” between the two countries.
”They expressed their satisfaction at the status of relations,” he said.
Dlamini-Zuma is on the last leg of her three-nation tour, after holding meetings with her counterparts in Moscow, Russia, and Paris, France.
Straw and Dlamini-Zuma agreed to strengthen cooperation between the two countries at all levels, including counter-terrorism initiatives, Mamoepa said.
”She also observed a moment of silence in honour of the victims of terror attacks last week,” he said.
The two discussed conflict resolution in Africa and the reform of the United Nations.
The minister would address African Union ambassadors and high commissioners in London on Thursday afternoon, Mamoepa said.
Dlamini-Zuma is due back in South Africa on Friday morning. — Sapa, Sapa-AP