Zuma calls for African leaders to be sent to ZImbabwe
Posted by African Press International on April 23, 2008
Publisher: Korir, api africanpress@getmail.no source.apa
African National Congress (ANC) president Jacob Zuma, on Tuesday said Africa must send a mission to Zimbabwe to end a delay in issuing election results, which he called unacceptable.
In his toughest comments yet on the three-week delay in announcing results of a presidential vote, Zuma said: “It’s not acceptable. It’s not helping the Zimbabwean people who have gone out to … elect the kind of party and presidential candidate they want, exercising their constitutional right.”
Zuma has made several forthright comments on the election delay, distancing himself from South African President Thabo Mbeki, the designated regional mediator in Zimbabwe, who has long insisted on a discreet diplomatic approach.
Zuma made clear he was talking about a new initiative in addition to Mbeki’s mediation.
“When I say leaders should go [to Zimbabwe], I’m saying that we are fully aware that Mbeki is the mediator,” Zuma said.
“But … what I’m saying when I say other leaders should come, is that … given the gravity of the situation, we should add other leaders to assist what Mbeki is doing in Zimbabwe. I think it’s important that you have … people going there, either sent by SADC [the Southern African Development Community] or by the African Union to talk and help resolve the matter,” he said.
Meanwhile, China on Tuesday defended a cache of its weapons headed for Zimbabwe, saying it was part of normal bilateral trade, but suggested the arms might not be delivered due to problems offloading the cargo.
An attempt to offload the ship in Durban was unsuccessful, and it was now headed for Angola, according to the most recent reports.
_____________
African Press International – api
