The political leaders of the
Southern African Development Community (SADC) urge the international community to lift
sanctions against President Robert Mugabe and his henchmen. This is a
diplomatic victory for Mugabe and his Zanu (PF) supporters.
It was
three weeks ago that Zanu (PF) increased the pressure on Prime Minister
Tsvangirai and the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) accusing them of not
doing enough to fulfil article IV of the Global Political Agreement on
“Sanctions and measures”, and maintained that this was undermining the unity
government. It did not take Mugabe long to get the backing of other regional
leaders.
South Africa’s Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe explained to
parliament this week: "This call for the lifting of sanctions is not aimed
at protecting and defending President Robert Mugabe as an individual. It is
meant to attract necessary investments into Zimbabwe so that their economic
recovery plan can take effect." He defended the need to dialogue, underline
the progress that has been made since the formation of the unity government.
What he failed to admit was that many of the sanctions are already
passé. The IMF is now giving loans to Zimbabwe, so the main remaining sanctions
are travel bans against Mugabe and his inner circle. These are people who
probably should be serving jail sentences, not shopping, doing business or
taking part in diplomatic meetings around the globe.
The SADC meeting in Kinshasa once again revealed the inability of
regional leaders to focus on Zanu (PF) violations of the agreement. Violations
that even prevent South African investment in Zimbabwe. We can mention a few:
·
Article V. There has not been a non-partisan
land audit and neither has the tenure of all land holders been secured. Zanu
(PF) officials continue to invade farms and occupy land illegally.
· State organs are still under the
control of Zanu (PF) officials.
· State security forces still do not
adhere to the Rule of law. There are still hundreds of human rights violations
every month, including murder of MDC supporters.
If SADC
leaders had any credibility they would start legal proceedings against the
police and military commanders who were behind the political violence last
year. Their names and violations are well known.
SADC
leaders are cowards in also not being willing to support the findings of
the SADC Tribunal that tried to
stop the renewed offensive to drive commercial farmers from their land.
South
Africa’s new leaders may soon have admit (like Thabo Mbeki), that Bob Mugabe is
manipulative, clever and says what they want to hear, and then does the
opposite.
Jan Speed
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