Kitsepile Nyathi
19 March 2008
Harare — Neighbours South Africa and Botswana have finally abandoned their so-called quite diplomacy approach to the long running Zimbabwean political crisis by urging the security forces to respect the outcome of this month's election.
This follows threats by commanders of the Zimbabwe's security forces, most of them veterans of the country's 1970s liberation war, to stage a coup if veteran President Robert Mugabe loses the 29 March elections.
South Africa and Botswana have refused to criticise Mr Mugabe's leadership arguing that doing so would undermine efforts to find a solution to the problems afflicting the former Southern African region's economic giant.
But in a sign of growing impatience over the unending crisis, on Tuesday the ruling African National Congress (ANC) of South Africa issued a terse press statement condemning the threats by the Zimbabwean generals.
Free and fair
The ANC said it hoped the presidential, parliamentary and municipal elections on 29 March will be free and fair and would help resolve the economic and political crisis in the country.
It also urged the security forces and other state institutions not to take sides in the crucial elections.
"The ANC urges all institutions of state in Zimbabwe and in particular the security, to remain non-partisan and respect the outcome of the elections," the party said in a statement.
In the past, South African President Thabo Mbeki who was replaced as the leader of the ANC by Mr Jacob Zuma in December last year has come under severe criticism for failing to reign on Mr Mugabe's regime.
Botswana newspapers also reported on Tuesday that members of outgoing President Festus Mogae's government had during a debate in parliament for the first time spoken strongly against the unfolding events in Harare ahead of the elections.
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