While the Southern African Development Community (SADC) has recognised that negotiations in Zimbabwe are continuing, it may be necessary to convene Parliament to give effect to the will of the people, President Thabo Mbeki said on Sunday.
Mbeki, the newly elected SADC chairperson, said it was not possible to say when the negotiations would be completed, but added that the extraordinary summit of the organ of heads of state, held in Sandton, Johannesburg, on the weekend, had conveyed its urgency.
He said SADC had appealed to the rival Zimbabwean parties to sign any outstanding agreements and conclude the negotiations urgently to restore political stability in that country.
”[It] recognised that while negotiations are continuing, it may be necessary to convene Parliament to give effect to the will of the people as expressed in the parliamentary elections held on March 29 2008.”
He said it was not possible to say when the negotiations will be concluded. ”The negotiating parties are convening and will look at whatever matters might be outstanding. The SADC organ did not give a cut-off date.”
Mbeki said while he would continue to facilitate, SADC was still wary of outside interference.
”Let’s really allow the people of Zimbabwe to determine their future. Any solution that’s imposed from outside won’t last. It won’t last unless it’s a common product that is owned by the entire collective of the leadership of Zimbabwe,” he said.
Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) secretary general Tendai Biti said the party under the leadership of Morgan Tsvangirai welcomed the decision to allow the parties to continue to negotiate.
”Failure is not an option. It is critical that we continue this dialogue,” he said.
Free trade
Earlier, in closing the SADC summit and after launching the SADC free trade area, Mbeki said no member state could assure political and social stability and security if the region continued to suffer poverty, underdevelopment and instability.
Though the region’s efforts have borne fruit, the achievement cannot be taken for granted, Mbeki said.
”We will need to resuscitate that shared vision and commitment, the unity and cohesion that have characterised SADC from its inception, as we consider the next steps … to advance our regional integration efforts in Southern Africa.”
While 85% of all intra-SADC trade was duty-free thus far in 2008, the work is not complete. The remaining 15% of trade still needs to be liberalised fully by 2010.
”We need to ensure that all members are able to jointly meet that milestone,” he said.
Mbeki said regional economic cooperation and integration give the region’s countries the opportunity to pool their limited resources and build an economic base to address the challenges of economic growth and development.
The SADC business forum, however, said the private sector cannot be kept out of the dialogue and has a pivotal role to play.
The summit also recognised the readmission of Seychelles, after withdrawing its membership five years earlier. — Sapa