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Botswana: SADC Fault Lines On Zim Elections

Tshireletso Motlogelwa

11 April 2008

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analysis

Regional leaders under the auspices of SADC will hold an emergency meeting tomorrow to discuss the current impasse in Zimbabwe. Staff Writer TSHIRELETSO MOTLOGELWA examines the positions likely to be taken by some of the countries

Botswana

The leader of the opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) Morgan Tsvangirai has been in Botswana following his emergency departure from his country allegedly as a result of threats to his life. He met with President Ian Khama who then called for a meeting of regional leaders to discuss the Zimbabwe issue.

Khama is in his second week as president but this did not prevent him from calling for the meeting. His Zambian counterpart and SADC chairman Levy Mwanawasa heeded the call. Khama's approach seems a far cry from the quiet diplomacy of his predecessor Festus Mogae.

There seems to be a new era in Botswana's foreign policy regarding Zimbabwe. The new Minister of Foreign Affairs, Phandu Skelemani has been more direct when speaking on the Zimbabwe issue unlike his predecessor Mompati Merafhe. It is not clear who is responsible for this between Khama and Skelemani. However, it is evident Skelemani explained the government's position on Zimbabwe without engaging equivocation.

It may not be a change in position but it is definitely a change in how government speaks about the crisis. In the last half-decade, the government has been careful not to make direct comments on the events taking place in Zimbabwe.

Mogae always urged caution on the matter and Merafhe always seemed to repeat the same phrase: that Botswana is helpless and cannot do anything about the Zimbabwean situation. He would not be drawn into even directly commenting on the events in the country.

It seems the new faces at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and State House may be bringing a much more open approach.

It is reasonable to expect Botswana to be among the countries that will urge for a much more proactive involvement in Zimbabwe. Botswana is one of the countries that have been adversely affected by the crisis and the new presidency seems intent on being open about the issue.

Lesotho

An official of the Lesotho government who spoke to Mmegi on condition of anonymity maintained that they want a full briefing from South African President Thabo Mbeki on his mediation efforts in Zimbabwe.

"We would want to get a full account of what the situation is in Zimbabwe. We would also like to get the side of the Zimbabwean government. We expect President Robert Mugabe to appraise us on what is going on there. We need a lot of information from as many sources as possible to make our own position on the issue," he said.

However, he indicated the Lesotho government's concern at the delays in the release. "We want the process to be as transparent as possible and the results to be released as soon as possible. The continued delay will only further develop the tensions that are already there," he said.

He added that the position of the Lesotho government is that the starting point in resolving the crisis is the release of the results. "You cannot hold back the results and then complain that they have been rigged. Let us release the results, and if you have issues with them, take the legal path to solving it. Go to the courts and let them make a ruling on your grievances. That is what we believe should happen," he said.

He said there is a tendency to engage in polemics with accusations and counter-accusations in the media. "We want to be as level-headed as possible. We would want to first of all get all perspectives on the situation before developing a position. However, we want the crisis to be resolved as soon as possible," he said.

Swaziland

The Swaziland government will urge for negotiations by the parties. Percy Simelane, the government spokesperson says their position is that the crisis can only be resolved when all the parties meet and talk to find a middle ground.

"We believe that a consensus can be reached. We should allow the parties to engage and all we can do is to help them come together and sort out their differences."

Simelane emphasised that Swaziland, like all other countries, cannot impose a solution on Zimbabwe. It can only offer advice when it is required.

"We want people to be patient keeping in mind that in the 2004 US elections, it took more than three months to get the results," he said jokingly.

He acknowledged that the delay in Zimbabwe might heighten tensions in the country. "We hope the summit will find solutions to the crisis. We think that if we support Zimbabweans, they should be able to find a lasting solution to the problem. It is a worrying situation though," he said.

South Africa

South African President Thabo Mbeki has always urged caution and emphasised negotiations over any other solution. Mbeki has always been a sort of an ally of Mugabe at regional meetings. In the early years of the Zimbabwean crisis, he favoured a carefully negotiated solution.

He is often credited with the quiet diplomacy approach. Although he was given the mandate to lead the mediation efforts in the Zimbabwe crisis by SADC, reports indicate he has not made much progress.

His deputy Foreign Minister, Aziz Pahad seemed to be expressing the same position when he urged for patience. He is reported as having said that international standards require that results be published by the 21st day after the elections. This seems to trivialise the dispute.

However, Pahad has indicated that the Zimbabwean Electoral Commission must explain the delay. South Africa is expected to brief the summit on Mbeki's Zimbabwe assignment and assist the region with suggestions on the way forward. As a regional powerhouse, South Africa is seen to be very influential in SADC.

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