News / National
Ian Khama toothless on Mugabe and his Zanu-PF
19 Aug 2015 at 17:45hrs | Views
Botswana President Ian Khama's Sadc chairmanship will not have any effect on President Robert Mugabe and his Zanu-PF party because the position is ceremonial and works on consensus from member states, analysts have said.
Khama, who deputised Mugabe as Sadc chairman until Monday, has been a vocal critic of the 91-year-old leader and many people have been anticipating that his reign would give him an opportunity to take the bull by the horns.
However, political analysts described the Sadc chairmanship as a straitjacket, meaning Khama would not be able to do anything alone to deal with Mugabe without the consensus of member states. History has proved that Sadc member states were more interested in regional solidarity than issues of human rights and democracy.
Political analyst Takura Zhangazha yesterday said the position of Sadc chair remains largely one that functions by way of consensus.
"Therefore, to expect a fundamentally different style in how Sadc is run because Botswana President Ian Khama is now chair may be overestimating the role of his Sadc chairmanship," Zhangazha said.
"As was the case during President Mugabe's tenure, there will be little that Khama can do on his own or without the requisite regional consensus when it comes to Zimbabwe. Unless there is another disputed election in Zimbabwe or a monumental political and economic humanitarian crisis, Khama cannot look for one, let alone create it."
Khama, who deputised Mugabe as Sadc chairman until Monday, has been a vocal critic of the 91-year-old leader and many people have been anticipating that his reign would give him an opportunity to take the bull by the horns.
However, political analysts described the Sadc chairmanship as a straitjacket, meaning Khama would not be able to do anything alone to deal with Mugabe without the consensus of member states. History has proved that Sadc member states were more interested in regional solidarity than issues of human rights and democracy.
"Therefore, to expect a fundamentally different style in how Sadc is run because Botswana President Ian Khama is now chair may be overestimating the role of his Sadc chairmanship," Zhangazha said.
"As was the case during President Mugabe's tenure, there will be little that Khama can do on his own or without the requisite regional consensus when it comes to Zimbabwe. Unless there is another disputed election in Zimbabwe or a monumental political and economic humanitarian crisis, Khama cannot look for one, let alone create it."
Source - newsday
