A meeting of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) on Wednesday in Windhowek in Namibia concluded without achieving much about the situation in Zimbabwe.
But Mwanawasa, the president of Zambia, made a strong statement when he said ‘Quiet diplomacy has failed to help solve the political chaos and economic meltdown in Zimbabwe.’ He was speaking at the end of the 14 nation meeting.
He continued ‘As I speak right now, one SADC country has sunk into such economic difficulties that it may be likened to a sinking Titanic whose passengers are jumping out in a bid to save their lives.’
Mwanawasa’s open statemens can be taken as an indication of the stand the southern African neighbours of Zimbabwe are likely to take in the next few weeks. This is the first time an African leader has come out with a strong view about the situation in Zimbabwe.
The foreign ministers of SADC countries are expected to meet in the next few days to pursue the issue.
South Africa, the regional power, appears to be against direct interference of other countries in Zimbabwe at the moment and has said ‘it is concerned about deteriorating conditions in Zimbabwe’ and that ‘Zimbabweans must find their own solutions to their problems.’
Robert Mugabe, who was one of those who fought for the freedom of his country from British rule, had earned the reputation of a liberation hero in southern Africa in the 1970s and ’80s. Now he is projecting himself as a victim punished by western countries for expelling white farmers from Zimbabwe as part of his land reform programmes.
Jakaya Kikwete, the president of Tanzania, made an unscheduled visit to neighbouring Zimbabwe on Thursday.
Zimbabwe has recently threatened to expel foreign diplomats whom it accuses of encouraging the Opposition.
The recent stir of meetings in the region only shows that the neighbours of Zimbabwe have begun taking notice of what has been going on inside that country since some time. Clearly, they are willing to find a solution before the crisis spills over and affects the entire region.
