Zim: Africa leaders call emergency meeting

  1. Posted on Wednesday 25 June 2008 - 10:32
    Mugadza
    Mugadza Munyaradzi, AfricaNews reporter in Harare, Zimbabwe
    The Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) has called for an emergency summit in the Swaziland capital Mbanane to discuss the Zimbabwe crisis, especially Morgan Tsvangirai's pull out from the discredited presidential run off scheduled for June 27.
    Supporters of Paul Madzore, the winner in Glen View South, celebrating. Photo: Daniel Sibanda
    In a statement SADC said the meeting will be attended by SADC members and other members of the bloc.

    “It will be attended by some SADC members as well as members of the bloc’s security organ namely Swaziland, Angola and Tanzania.”

    On Monday SADC foreign ministers convened in Angola and discussed the Zimbabwean political situation characterised by president Robert Mugabe's continued holding on power.


    Chief of the SADC observer mission in Zimbabwe and Tomaz Salomao told reporters that they had agreed with Tsvangirai that a “climate of extreme violence” existed in Zimbabwe and the government must protect its citizens.

    Joćo Miranda, Angolan Foreign minister told the media that the SADC report, is that the situation in that Zimbabwe is extremely serious, indicating that should the insecurity climate continue, until the presidential run-off (June 27), the election would probably not be free or fair.

    The Angolan minister also said that the committee’s meetings are in the light of the SADC strategy, aimed at securing stability and peace in the region, the key condition for the implementation of economic, social development and the regional integration of member states.

    The executive council of the Movement for Democratic Change on Sunday resolved to withdrew from the presidential run off amid political violence instigated by the ruling Zanu PF party against the opposition members ahead of the elections.

    Zanu PF had dispelled the claims by Tsvangirai saying if they wish to do so, they should write formally to the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission as entitled by the law.

    Meanwhile, the MDC on Tuesday delivered the formal letter to the Zimbabwe Electoral commission confirming their bid to withdrew from the presidential elections but the incumbent leader vowed to go ahead with the presidential election adding that the people of Zimbabwe should on June 27 choose their leader.

    Analysts also said if president Mugabe is returned to power, Zimbabwe faces a total collapse as investors have disinvested in Zimbabwe.

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