/ 14 August 2008

SADC promises assistance for Zimbabwe

The Southern African Development Community (SADC) will render the assistance and support needed in Zimbabwe, Foreign Affairs Minister Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma said in Johannesburg on Thursday.

She said the political and economic situation in that country was one of the challenges facing the region.

”These challenges can be overcome. As a region we must not allow any situation to threaten our unity and cohesion, no matter how difficult it is,” said Dlamini-Zuma.

She added that SADC welcomed the signing of the memorandum of understanding between Zimbabwe’s political parties.

On behalf of South Africa, Dlamini-Zuma assumed the chair of the SADC council of ministers on Thursday, taking over from Zambia.

The country’s focus for the year-long term would be restoring and strengthening SADC political unity and cohesion, intensifying regional infrastructure development and deepening regional economic integration. — Sapa