South Africa’s president, Jacob Zuma, has given an upbeat assessment of Zimbabwe’s unity government, saying he believes the worst of the country’s troubles are over.
Zuma held talks in Harare with President Robert Mugabe, who looked well despite speculation over his health, and the prime minister, Morgan Tsvangirai, in a bid to end feuding between the coalition partners.
But even as Zuma struck an optimistic note, new figures showed a surge in violent attacks and human rights abuses by soldiers loyal to Mugabe.
Zuma, on his first visit to Zimbabwe as South African president, told a state banquet on Friday: ”It is indeed very encouraging to note the significant progress that has been made under the auspices of the inclusive government.”
He added: ”The remaining issues are not insurmountable and can be overcome. The most difficult path has already been travelled.”
Speaking at the same event, Mugabe said: ”I am happy to inform you that the inclusive government is alive and well and that the three principals [including the deputy prime minister, Arthur Mutambara] are committed to its success. Indeed, a political accommodation of this nature is bound to experience teething problems.”
Tsvangirai’s Movement for Democratic Change is hoping that Zuma, who is the current chairperson of the Southern African Development Community (SADC), will put pressure on Mugabe to rein in hardline supporters and fulfill his commitment to the country’s global political agreement.
Tsvangirai said after a meeting with Zuma, that he had briefed the South African leader on the ”outstanding issues” of the political deal.
But in an interview with the Guardian earlier this month, Tsvangirai admitted he could not expect preferential treatment from Zuma. ”He doesn’t take sides,” the prime minister said. ”He is committed to ensuring all the issues of the global political agreement are implemented, because he’s chairman of SADC.
”He cannot pick and choose between Zanu-PF and MDC. What he wants to see is the strengthening of the inclusive government. He wants to see progress, he wants to see more positive outcomes.”
The politicians’ performance was criticised by non-governmental organisations. The Zimbabwe Human Rights NGO Forum said cases of political violence and rights abuses surged to 125 in June compared with 99 incidents recorded in May.
”The month of June saw the levels of organised violence being sustained with little indication that the Government of National Unity was committed to ending human rights violations in the country,” the forum said. ”Of note in the month of June is the increase in incidents of violence reportedly perpetrated by members of the army against civilians … It is alarming that some members of the ZNA [the army] appear to be a law unto themselves and continue to harass defenceless civilians.” – guardian.co.uk