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Zimbabwe crisis talks still to be tabled at Sadc Summit
12 Jun 2011 at 15:11hrs | Views
The Zimbabwean crisis was expected to be tabled at 5pm on Sunday after the heads of state cleared the main business of the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (Comesa) which kicked off on Saturday.
The Southern African Community Development (SADC) heads of state were expected to discuss Zimbabwe's election roadmap. President Robert Mugabe who met with the mediator, South Africa President Jacob Zuma on Friday is accompanied by Justice Minister Patrick Chinamasa among his large entourage. Mugabe met with Zuma on Friday where the two discussed progress on the Global Political Agreement (GPA), the constitution and the security sector.
The Movement for Democratic Change led by Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai has called for security sector reforms as among the conditions for a free and fair election in Zimbabwe.
The SADC leaders were expected to pressure Mugabe to drop his plans for elections this year before reforms are done to pave way for a free and fair election.
"On Sunday, we will first hold the tripartite negotiations for the free trade area in the morning, after which the leaders will meet at around 3pm to resume discussions on Madagascar and then Zimbabwe. I can assure you that the leaders will not leave this place without first finishing those issues because that is what they have committed to," SADC Secretary-general, Thomas Salomao told the media.
"On Zimbabwe, the summit will look at the Troika resolutions reached on March 31 in Livingstone, Zambia and a report from SADC envoys that were sent to the headquarters of Britain, United States and the European Union to advocate for the removal of sanctions on Zimbabwe," said Salomao.
Zimbabwe's Deputy Prime Minister Arthur Mutambara left for Harare Saturday night to attend the burial of Edgar Tekere, but Salomao expressed hope that the disposed leader of the smaller MDC formation could still re-join the discussion.
Welshman Ncube and Priscilla Misihairabwi are also representing the small MDC faction at the summit.
The Southern African Community Development (SADC) heads of state were expected to discuss Zimbabwe's election roadmap. President Robert Mugabe who met with the mediator, South Africa President Jacob Zuma on Friday is accompanied by Justice Minister Patrick Chinamasa among his large entourage. Mugabe met with Zuma on Friday where the two discussed progress on the Global Political Agreement (GPA), the constitution and the security sector.
The Movement for Democratic Change led by Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai has called for security sector reforms as among the conditions for a free and fair election in Zimbabwe.
The SADC leaders were expected to pressure Mugabe to drop his plans for elections this year before reforms are done to pave way for a free and fair election.
"On Zimbabwe, the summit will look at the Troika resolutions reached on March 31 in Livingstone, Zambia and a report from SADC envoys that were sent to the headquarters of Britain, United States and the European Union to advocate for the removal of sanctions on Zimbabwe," said Salomao.
Zimbabwe's Deputy Prime Minister Arthur Mutambara left for Harare Saturday night to attend the burial of Edgar Tekere, but Salomao expressed hope that the disposed leader of the smaller MDC formation could still re-join the discussion.
Welshman Ncube and Priscilla Misihairabwi are also representing the small MDC faction at the summit.
Source - RadioVOP
