President Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe and Opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) President Morgan Tsvangirai have been invited to the Extra Ordinary SADC Summit to be held in Lusaka – Saturday.
Special Assistant to the President for Press and Public Relations, John Musukuma said media reports suggesting that Mr. Tsvangirai has not been invited are incorrect.
Mr. Musukuma said this in a statement made available to ZNBC News.
He says the Extra Ordinary Summit which will take place at Mulungushi International Conference Centre will be opened by Presidetn Mwanawasa, the current SADC Chairperson.
Mr. Musukuma said this will be followed by closed sessions of the SADC Heads of state from member countries.
He said a final communique’ will be issued at the end of the summit.
And Mr. Musukuma said the Extra Ordinary Summit will be preceded by an Extra Ordinary meeting of the Ministerial committee on SDAC organs on Politics, defence and Security.
He said this will be followed by another meeting of the ministerial committee of the SADC Organ on Zimbabwe.
The summit has been called by President Mwanawasa as SADC chairman to discuss the situation in Zimbabwe following the March 29 poll, whose results are yet to be announced.
This is a very good muse by our president, i salute you sir high time the solution comesout of the meeting
LPM is meddling in the affairs of Zimbabwe, as SADC chairman he is under immerse pressure from outside Africa to play with things he can’t handle. LPM lacks courtesy and thinks he can sell Zimabawe.
The election results of President George Bush and Al Gore took 21 days before the winner was known. In the meantime NOBODY was pressuring the USA to release results. Here in Africa the election that ushered in Joaquim Chissano as democratic President was a close election with RENAMO leader Alfonso Delakama trailing very marginnally. The electoral body in Mozambique held the results beyond the stipulated time.
Zimbabweans are able to resolve their problems! The matter is now before the high court,so what happens if what well be agreed at the summit is challenged by the courts! Much of we appreciate the move but Ba LPM should have waited and accessed the situation first!Yes Zim Pipo wants change and Mugabe must accept defeat through the ballot but not with alot of interrence from out siders! we Know that UK and their friends hate him,but let him come out of his seat peacfully,no blood shade!Let african govern themselves, if they need other continent to help they will invite them over!
number two you are living in another world!!! In all the above examples there were clear reasons why the delays happened. how can the parliamentry result be deliverd in three days and not the presidential ones. this old chap is clearly up to sumthing. i think you are probably Mugabe him self. clearly you are the only one here that seems to be in Favour of Zanu-pf. Hats off to our president his got balls of steel. Mbeki wat a wuss!!
#2
I think it is good LPM is interfering with Zim. Its about time. We have kept quiet for too long as we see our Southern Neighbor go to ruins. Theres now even a saying, “you used to go to rhodesia to see the ruins of Zimbabwe, now you go to Zimbabwe to see the ruins of Rhodesia”. Why should the west interfere, are we invisible in the SADC region. Its about time we said something as Africans. Only Africans can solve Africa’s problems and i think if Mugabe knows that he is losing support from his African friends, he’ll step down. We must interfere, its our duty to do so. Zimbabwe is our neighbor, we helped them gain independence and we’ll help them now.
cont…
We also helped South Africa and Angola and Mozambique, why must we stop helping now, what has become of us. Where did you guys get this attitude. Incase you didn’t know, Zambia ia a christian nation and its our duty to help. If any other country goes through the same, we are going to help once again because thats what we have been doing since Zambia was formed.
Canadian,Zimbabwe is a soverign country with long history which you and I can arguably not understand.There is also tribal politics as well as freedom fighters who have great impact on Zimbabwe. In the essence of what is going on in Zimbabwe, as Zambians we can try to help but as Skynews in UK has been reporting we have little influence into Zimbambe political affairs neither South Africa. All we hope for is a peacefull Zimbabwe. MDC with Makoni would have reach out to the voters. Spliting elections this is what you end up with.
We know LPM is overzealous but to call a meeting without consulting Mugabe is simply crazy. If not careful LPM will be building enemies with liberation movements of Angola, Mozambique, SUganda etc. Western interference in African affairs particularly Zimbabwe should be discussed within context. Zimbabwe problems have been caused by western governments in particular the USA for the passing into law the Zimbabwe Democracy & Recovery Act of 2001. This legislation has basically stopped economic aid and suspended any cooperation between Zimbabwe and IMF/Worldbank.
The election results between George W Bush and Al Gore were withheld for 21 days because Al Gore wanted a verification.
Pafwenamwine, i am by no means saying that we need to head-butt in Zim political situation. however, with wat is happening in that country it is our duty as a neighbour to sort and give a helping hand. its like your next door wife holding a pistol on the husband…….surely as a neighbour, you are obliged to help solve the situation otherwise it will have a bad effect on that family and to you indirectly. 80% unemployment, worlds highest inflation, worlds lowest life expectancy rate, 2 million Zimbabweans in Dispora that ‘family’ wants HELP!!! Common number 7 how low do you want it to get??
Canadian it is what the Govt is trying to do but sensetivity in this area is a key to success.Zimbabweans are mature and educated pipo but this does not mean things cant happen like in Kenya.Zambia shouldnt be seen as being used by the west as they have failed to use South Africa for their political mileage.Already we have seen the impact in Lstone and LSK.
Pipo take advise from our founding fathers Kenneth Kaunda ,Nelson Mandela ,Julius Nyerere,Nkhuruma and others.
They had bowed down and there fore Mugage has ruined the once beautiful country into (Zimbabwe Ruins).Shame on all you people supporting Poor-filthly Rich M U G A B E.
Bless pipo of Zims and let them rebuild their nation.
Bravo #4 and #5/6. #2 is simply negative and i doubt if he understands how the political world evolves. Today those crisis in Zimbabwe are seen to be within the bounds of that country. If the SADC Leaders, including President Mwanawasa, who is the current Chairman do not take a pro-active step to avert the almost certain catastrophe, tomorrow the region would be littered with dead bodies and displaced persons in our own countries and yonder. Rwanda is a good example i have for you #2. France and Belgium delayed to act at the time that country needed them the most. What happened next? BLOODSHED of untold magnitude. Watch ”HOTEL RWANDA” in case you missed the live action on CNN or BBC in
cont’d
1994. President Mwanawasa, go ahead and do what is noble. Zambia should not be ridiculed for having not done anything as Chairman of the SADC when and if the bubble busts in that country. Call your Colleagues to Lusaka. If they snub you, you will have gone down the History books that you invited them to try to resolve the Zimbabwe crisis but they all refused. LET THEM NOT BLAME YOU. South Africa with her QUIET Diplomacy is the one which is being used by the West and yet they were refusing this kind of Diplomacy under ARPATHEID!
pafwenamwine :dont be naive my fellow african, is zimbabwe is a soverign country, then why should mugabe not respect the will of the peolple . the people have voted and just wants their results. how can results be verified by the army and secret service without any representation of the participating candidates..where are the so-called observers if its genuine verification.and may i correct u once more , zimbabwe’s history is not too complicated to understand for anyone interested.whatever went on in the 1970s should not be used as a weapon to oppress the black zimbabweans . the people suffering now are ordianary zimbabeans including freedom fighters who are tomented by memories of wars
true african- if wat u said above is wat u know about zimbabwe then u are out of your mind, u think zimbabwe’s situation is a result of zimbabwe democracy & recovery act 2001, what brought this in the first place . so u think it was right for IMF and world bank to keep supporting mugabe even when he has lost tract of governing zimbabwe. aid and economic cooperation has never been denied to zimbabwe but to robert mugabe and his cronies. how could the 2 institutions give monies to mugabe when he has imposed a blanket cover on whats happening in the country. mugabe is so feared today coz he channeled all those monies to strenghten his military in oredr to rule for life
hats off to zambia for calling the SADC meeting, its so unfortunate mugabe has decided not to attend coz he is a coward to face other heads of state .its high time someone tells mugabe that even though he can silence zimbabweans by his mighty military , he cant silence other states as well .
people are suffering in zimbabwe, chldren have stooped going to school, hospitals are empty of drugs hence patients , no electricity , worthless currency, women and children dying of aids, hunger,lawlessness ,violence , etc. black zimbabweans are crying for a decent life and i think deserve just that. we are appealig for help. forget about all the nonses mugabe says about the west , the man has failed
may i point out a few facts to fellow africans who follow the zimabwean issue. if ever u watch zimbawean news when the so-called war vetarans go on rampage attching farming communities – the most affected people are the farm workers .its the farm workers whose huts and houses are burnt down, its the farm workers who are found loittering in streets with nowher to go and sleep. thousands of these farm workers are now destitues, jobless. and the most interesting point to take note is most of these people are malawians and zambians. so everyone who can help here is welcome
I congratulate and thank all the readership on this forum for all their contributions. However, I still think caution must be practiced in the way matters are handled concerning Zim. Knee jack reactions from levy will just land the whole southern region in bloodshed never witnessed b4. I am saying this coz he was the 1st african leader to denounce Mugabe by his “sinking titanic…”. It never took long b4 he sent rupia banda (if am not mistaken), to go and appologize to Mugabe. To hastily say/do something without 1st thinking and analysing the situ. coz you want to impress america and britain may not be the best thing to do. The problems of zim are very compex. levy should learn to consult…
Most of you people calling LPM a meddler are far away from the crises in Zim. Ordinary people of Zim are calling for help. They’ve sufered enough. It’s not UK or USA terrorizing people like youself. It’s their own leader. This leader needs to be booted out. He’s an African Nicolae Ceausescu or Solobodan Milosovic, the tyrants of Romania and Kosovo respectively. Europe was decisive enough to bring a stop to the violent reigns of these dictators. Why can’t Africa do the same in the case of Mugabe? Zim people are calling for help from outside.
…his pals 1st and learn why they are cautiously taking the issue. Of course britain and US have a share of blame, too. their paper prosecute and by and large influence the way pipo look at issues-biase. Its not long ago when Mandela and ANC were called a terrorist group. That influenced the lengthy time it took to defeat apartheid. Zambia had its share in this. Coz we fully supported (not only) ANC and SA liberation struggle the west kicked Zambia left right and centre as we were seen to be terrorists brothers’ keepers. Southern Africa is one country if you mind to read your history-there4 consulting to relate to each others’ problems b4 you parrot may serve us. No one is supporting…
An African president will always be quick to talk about sovereignty coz they don’t wanna set a precedent that shall be used against them … they also wanna stay in power forever, forcebly if opposed. So forget about any African support for Zambia’s initiative. It’s a pity some people on this blog seem better placed to express opposition to the Zimbabwean dictator but choose to support him … supporting a man raping ordinary people like themselves. When will Africans recognize that draconian acts have no place in the free world, and that it’s their God given right to oppose them?
…Mugabe. He has overstayed. Emmulate, Mandela.
However, suppose a coup d’tat (God forbid) happens while Mugabe is in Zambia. Wouldn’t the vets cry foul on Zambia to think Levy stage-managed it. And do think with angry vets who fought in the independence struggle (4 land which they still dont own) will just sit back? They have been pumped with hope of owning land and there is no turning back. And they can even see in the neighbouring SA how land is finally being given back (and share with whites) to blacks.
To a large extent its the manner of occupation and evacuation of occupiers which largely account for the poor state of mainly, african countries…
…They have no interest whatsoever, in the welfare of citizens. They always only have economic interests in those countries. There4, spending a little money to leave things in order have never been on their minds. If you are in doubt ask or look no yonder than Iraq. America and britain went there with economic interest (oil). How they left the Iraqis-they didn’t wanna know. America has spent so much and the solution is not even in sight.
Our canadian pal was talking about 80% unemployment in Zim. The people in employment in Zed are between 500,000 and 1million out of a population of 11million. We are not even at war.
Mugabe is an embarrassment to our Region. The old man seem to be completely out of touch. It is time the MDC called for Civil disobedience. Do Zimbos really expect us Zambians to liberate them again and again. We fought against colonialists, and Mugabe is proving to be even more cruel to his own people in his last few years. Kick him out and fast. Those who hang with him will sink with him. For SURE ZIM and MUGABE are a sinking Ship.
levy or the SADC should use force, invade zimbabwe like nyerere did t Uganda. Zambia is blessed with leaders, we have always taken centre stage in African issues, KK reponsible for the liberation of most Sadc countries, including RSA, Ka chiluba brokered peace iniative in Angola, now Levy s trying to help zimbabwe. Zambia is a natural leader, but the zimbabweans should also solve the problem on their own. No country is talkikng about what zambia did to liberate them.
Why should African leaders like Pres. Mwanawasa be assused of dancing to the pipes of the US and UK when they do the right thing for the region? It is this mindset that will keep pulling Africa down. Be objective and be open to what is right and what is wrong – then do and say the right thing!
Zambia is tired now. for how long are we going to be carrying you guys o our shoulder?
Mwanawasa has done the right thing. It is not right to hold people at ransom nor to take them for granted. Zimbabwe’s electoral commission has acted irresponsibly by not releasing the election results in the stipulated timeframe. Zambia as the older brother of the region acted when Zimbabwe was under racists in the past. It is only right that we act again when it is under a man that does not respect the will of the people. Why does Bob want a run off when he has not released the results. Even in the run, he can do the same. Let’s not wait for another Kenya with people dead before we start saying African leaders are not helping. Zimbabweans are suffering and the old man must go.
its so interesting how people interprate politics in our evryday lives .but still i dont see how zimbabwean colapse should be blamed on britain and america. yes i do believe there are issues african leaders have to iron out with the west -thats why we elect them anyway. but that doesnt justify militias beating and raping women and children in our zimbabwe, refusing pple their right to choose leaders . u dont go about expressing your anger aginst your mates by beating your wife and children.there are plateforms for international debates where all heads of sttes are welcome -leave the population in your country to enjoy a decent life .we dont deserve the suffering plse
Just let mugabe rule, the man is 84, he will soon be retiring but if you use force and any other tricks, it could backfire. Zim has a strong military and they can attack Zambia any time they want. Lusaka is not so far away from the borders of Zim, so ba levy must be careful. In the 2006 elections in Zambia, mugabe did not get involved in zambian matters so how should ba levy be trying to tell our neighbours what to do. The people of zim must do something for themselves, zim is a country not a province of any other African state. It is hard for the people of zim but they have to be strong. The west are just using Zambia, I bet if Mugabe was in Zambia, “something” would have happened to him.
daer chips [RSA]
hie mate , i would like to refer u back to one of my corresponse above . i said in there …some of the ordianry people [ farm workers] suffering in zimbabwe are not zimbabweans only…but malawiasns and zambians who had worked in zimbabwean farms since the times if ian smith. so Levvy has a duty to protect those people from a mad mugabe too..its palin common sense …many malawians and zambians were driven out of their jobs in zmbabwean farms …they are human beings and needs protection as well…so dont be daft my friend …
Please it is not Zambia but SADDC. Only that LPM is the current chairman that is why he has no option but to show leadership by reconciling the two bulls in Zimbabwe.
Where do you think, own his own, LPM can get the courage to call for such a meeting? He is a dead coward.
As much as I appreciate Levy’s decision to mediate in th Zimbo situation, I can’t help but focus on the reason he gave for nnot inviting any ex-presidents to the summit. H said it was because he wanted to keep it t presidential level. So I do not blame Mugabe for snubbing LPM because he went along to invite Tsvangirai. In what capacity was he invited?
#30.ZIM cant afford to declare war on ZED. He has no control of the army, police or air force right now. He is even afraid to come to SADC meeting fearing to be overthrown.
Mugabe disrespected my country by insulting our Muwelewele . Mugabe hates Zambia, but who cares,we have bee right about him all along. Traitor and Cruel.
I am looking foward to Zambia breaking the ranks once again by giving Mugabe an ultimatum to respect the will of the people or face isolation. Morgan is not my favorite guy, but Mugabe is responsible for his Rise. The same way KK made Chiluba gain Mileage.The difference is that Our old man had more sense to respect will of the people.Mugabe ZWAAAA!!!. Rise Zimbos, Rise.
33#, LPM was right to invite Morgan. If you did CIVICS or social studies, When Presidential Electns are held, a returning officer is appointed. This statement alone would eduacte you that, ZIM has no legitimate President right now till results are announced and the winner Sworn in by returning Office or CHIFJusto. If Mugabe continues as president as he is doing, he is a de’facto over thrower of the constitution. That alone have constitutional ramification based on all the charters he has signed including the regional one SADC.
Mugabe is looking for ways to get out of this situation.. But the loop is tight. Let him accept defeat, handover power, then he will enjoy his pension.
The onus is really on the Zimbabwean people to apply the necessary pressure on Bob and cronies.They have spoken out loudly in the past election that they have no more use for this old piece of garbage.Tactics of civil disobedience have been used in the past and can still work now.This will be a new fight for liberation in Zimbabwe.Even if he unleashes the militia on his own people,how many is he going to kill to suppress their wish.They will just need to make this sacrifice for the good of their country.If our forefathers shed blood in the path for independence, i do not see why Zim. people cannot do that
All you future leaders and Diplomatic Corps,
I hope you are a learning unparalleled diplomacy from the South African President Thabo Mbeki. Today he stopped over at Zimbabwe House in Harare to confer with his counter part President Mugabe first before proceeding to the Lusaka summit.That is the way protocol works.
How do we convene a summit without reaching out first to the Head of state of the country under discussion after meeting and hearing from one stakeholder only Tsangirai?
Like parenthood over over rivalry children, in mediation you don’t condone acts that jeopardize impartiality of the mediator (HB 601 & HB 761).
Now that President Mugabe is not turning up, what will be achieved in his absence at the summit? Who ever advised HE over this must be fired from his job. I beat you, this glitch will bruise HE’s legacy. Instead it will haunt the same leaders next time they hold their won elections if too close to call against some overzealous non law abiding opponents.
Embolden by this precedence, political surrogates will be going into elections,declare themselves winner and start drum beating for SADC summit to replace seating Governments. Imagine had Mazoka or Sata done that.It would be anarchy.
Lets be careful with our undertaking.All in all Mbeki’s diplomacy is worth learning from. He is an icon of Democracy.
“Mbeki urges patience on Zimbabwe”
South African President Thabo Mbeki has called for patience over unreleased poll results in Zimbabwe, after talks with its president, Robert Mugabe.
The two men met after Mr Mugabe said he would not attend a regional summit in Zambia aimed at ending deadlock over presidential elections two weeks ago.
Opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai says he won the vote, and hopes leaders will pressure Mr Mugabe to step down.
Despite growing tensions, Mr Mbeki said there was “no crisis” in Zimbabwe.
Mr Mugabe’s Zanu-PF party lost its House of Assembly majority for the first time since 1980 in the 29 March poll, but no results have yet been released from the presidential race.
Correspondents say the summit, held by the Southern African Development Community (SADC) can achieve little without Mr Mugabe there, which is why South African leader Thabo Mbeki stopped in Harare first.
Zimbabwe Foreign Affairs Secretary Joey Bimha calling the summit “unnecessary” because the votes were still being counted.
Justice Minister Patrick Chinamasa, part of Zimbabwe’s delegation to the summit, told AFP news agency that his country would not accept Mr Tsvangirai’s participation in the meeting.
“Inviting an opposition leader to a heads of state meeting is unheard of,” he said.
“Inviting an opposition leader to a heads of state meeting is unheard of,”
LPM is a shame to African politics, he seems naive to call an emergency meeting which is not fit for purpose. LPM will be remembered for betraying African leaders just for 30 pieces of silver.LPM cannot do to Mugabe what he has done to Chiluba, THAT WILL NEVER HAPPEN.
LPM and his ill advised Kabinga Pande must understand that land in Zimbabwe is linked to ancestors and they can’t be seen be playing with that inheritance. Here in Zambia LPM’s government has made sure that Zambians own nothing in terms of lands. Please LPM stop creating unnecessary enemies.
LPM will have a real crisis if the liberation movements in SADC perceive him as a stooge. They may decide to support a party like PF to remove MMD from power, so that he equally feels the pain of betrayal. LPM needs to fire his advisers on foreign policy like he fired mundia Sikatana, they are not up to the job.
For goodness sake he must not interfere in Zimbabwe in a negative sense like calling a SADC meeting to please donors.
If you understand international Politics and the balance of power theory, you will sense the danger with me over this move HE has been misled in. Angola’s Dos Santos has been in power since 1975 and he’s very sensitive to such maneuvers, while SA’s Mbeki is a regional Giant who doesn’t want to be undermined in the region roles. Other Countries such as the economically strong Botswana and Namibia are in self realignment for some meaningful roles in the regional power.The DRC is den of rebels of fortune among them are the – Mai Mai,loose Interahamwe (Kinyarwanda)& Koni’s Lord’s Resistance Army.Mozambique has re-activatable Renamo, Western Province/Caprive are Mutangelwa secessionists factions.
Fellow africans,
Lets be careful with these foreign concepts trashed on our mouth.We have misunderstood Democracy.
Look at Kenya, a poor country with limited natural resources being forced in a weird 50-50 power sharing concept leading to a blotted coalition Government of 40 plus cabinet ministers. This is a concept never seen even in the USA following the 2000 elections when El gore won the popular vote clearly despite all their wealth. Such concepts are only coined for Africa as a testing ground.
Which governments in the world share power without any shared value?
Can someone point to any country in the world where there are two heads as being imposed in Kenya and many countries to face it?
Trust me folks, this is “skewed logic” we are seeing on our watches imposed on Africa when we are the owners of the resources the bourgeois want to protect and exploit with impunity under some stooge. Can Britain and the U.S show us models of countries that have implemented 50-50 and it has worked?
Mwanawasa has beaten all to the race. The winner here is mwanawasa because he is supporting the future. Mbeki, soon out so he does not hold anymore clout only statemanship, DoSanos is next to go and who cares. I am sure Do Santos will learn a lesson and start planning his succession smoothly..Mugabe is history.
End of Era for the Freedom Fighters and a sunrise for the new Era.
Pragmatist,your analyses on this issue lack depth and intelligence.You are not being truthfull to yourself and are gravely misleading progress-oriented individuals.Your support for Mbeki is outrightly misplaced and bears a dangerous lack of understanding of his so called ‘quiet diplomacy’.Do you really think such a stance would have helped African countries gain independence from Colonial masters?Mbeki is the weakest link in brokering any peaceful deal.Diplomacy can only work to a certain extent.Bob is very stubborn and lacks respect for other leaders.As a matter of fact, LPM should not have even invited him because he is an illigitimate President.His mandate has no legal support or backing.
Mugabe is amna who does not understand peace or diplomacy. He takes that as a weakness. Just today, He calls Britich PM, a tiny dot. The last time if I remember he told LPM, who are you. Bod is full of himself.
The Zimbos need to call for national wide strike for at least one month..there economy is already in shamboz so there is nothing to gain till Bob disappear from their scene.
If Kafupi was Zimbos, he would have ruled forever like Uncle BOB. Lucky eneough, Zedians kicked him out on his third term bid.
HK, your reasoning is as twisted as a sweet potato tuber. This issue is not about which president will win – it is about the people of Zimbabwe. And since Mugabe was a no show and Mbeki says there is no crisis, guess who the losers are?
Mugabe is a fool, he must take his prostitues from Zambia. Thabo Mbeki is also sick in the head, that is why he lost party presidency and he seens to be enjoying the suffering of Zimbabeans. When AIDS was killing people in SA Mbeki was saying that it was due to hunger and not HIV.
#48 be real stop living in dreamland.
#54, dont listen to that #48, its clear that the person is living in funny land. my country gained independance by war, and the reason behind the war was freedom, & they are so many freedoms that were fought for eg, freedom of speech, but if u say anything against the President, u get beaten up or worst off dead. but day in day out he blasts Bush, wait to here more on the 18th of April.
Hey Monte something cristou. believe it or not. the SADC meeting has pressed Mugabe to follow de rule of law. Mugabe right now is crinkling and twisting and cursing our “Steak”. The “Steak”. help him God, has played his card as a progressive forward thinking modern Politician compared to some dying dinosaurs of the region like Mbeki.
From LPM courage, the system in Zimbabwe now know it has support and genuine support for that matter. The court will demand release de votes results, the pipo will go on strike and will see who is twisted.
While I laud the initiative of SADC to hold a consultative meeting on Zimbabwe, I castigate the leadership for failure of foresight concerning the venue of the meeting. That none of the leaders saw that it was unlikely President Mugabe would attend such a meeting away from home at such a critical hour shows the leadership’s myopic planning. I wish the meeting had taken place in Harare President Mugabe was without doubt going to be in attendance. If you are leaders worthy the salt, you should have known this.
Sorry, # 57 posted by Chamboli-Wusakile