African governments are beginning to acknowledge that South Africa’s neighbour, Zimbabwe, has slipped into chaos, Democratic Alliance (DA) chairperson and spokesperson for Africa Joe Seremane said on Wednesday
In a statement, Seremane — who is a candidate for his party’s national leadership — said Zambian Foreign Affairs Minister Mundia Sikatana “should be commended and supported in his drive to get his country’s counterparts in the Southern African Development Community [SADC] to stop pretending that ‘all is well in Zimbabwe'”.
Sikatana’s acknowledgement of the problems in Zimbabwe is “one of the frankest, most upfront so far by any political leader in Southern Africa since Zimbabwean President Mugabe first began his despotic ways in 1999”, said Seremane.
Seremane said South African President Thabo Mbeki “now, more than ever, needs to break his curious silence on the deteriorating political and economic situation in Zimbabwe or face further ridicule in this regard”.
Seremane said his party “wholeheartedly agrees” with what Sikatana is reported in the media as saying — that the SADC states have a responsibility to make Mugabe realise he needs to enter dialogue.
“Indications from Lusaka diplomats confirm the DA’s long-held suspicion that the governments of our neighbouring countries look to the South African government for leadership in dealing with the Zimbabwean crisis.
“The loyalty that some SADC members, including South Africa, might still feel towards their erstwhile comrade-in-arms, President Mugabe, is completely misplaced when more than a quarter of Zimbabweans have had to flee their country to escape the oppressive regime and economic situation. This goes against the ‘African Renaissance’ vision,” said Seremane.
He said he looks forward to Zambia’s reign as chairing member-country for the 12-month period, beginning in August.
“If Minister Sikatana’s comments are anything to go by, then the SADC may at long last be tackling the bull by the horns when it comes to Zimbabwe.” — I-Net Bridge