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South Africa: Mbeki Put Under Pressure At the UN Over Zimbabwe
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SW Radio Africa (London)
17 April 2008
Posted to the web 17 April 2008
Lance Guma
World leaders on Wednesday contradicted South African President Thabo Mbeki at the United Nations, by speaking out strongly against Mugabe's attempt to 'win the count after losing the elections.' Mbeki courted condemnation last week by claiming there was 'no crisis in Zimbabwe' despite his own ANC ruling party stating the opposite.
A special session of the United Nations Security Council, chaired by South Africa, turned into an ideal platform for common sense to prevail. British Prime Minister Gordon Brown and UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon both combined to thwart Mbeki's attempt at keeping Zimbabwe off the agenda. The consensus was that the international community could no longer ignore developments in the country.
Brown was blunt in his assessment saying; 'No one thinks, having seen the results of polling stations, that President Mugabe has won.' He accused Mugabe of trying to 'steal' the election; 'A stolen election would not be a democratic election at all. Let a single clear message go out from here in New York that we... stand solidly behind democracy and human rights for Zimbabwe.'
UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon threw his weight behind these sentiments saying; 'The situation could deteriorate further with serious implications for the people of Zimbabwe.' Tanzanian President Jikaya Kikwete told the UN session that SADC would, 'ensure the will of the people of Zimbabwe is respected.'
But Ban said; 'The international community continues to watch and wait for decisive action.' He added that the credibility of the democratic process in Africa was now at stake.
Mbeki received a hostile reception from journalists after the meeting and was asked to justify his policy of 'quiet diplomacy'. 'I don't know whatever is meant by quiet diplomacy? What is loud diplomacy?' he asked. A reporter replied that 'loud diplomacy' was the speech given by Gordon Brown. Mbeki immediately fired back saying: 'Well it's not diplomacy in that case, it can't be.' Mbeki also refused to respond to suggestions from the UN Secretary General that international monitors be sent to observe a second round of voting. 'That's a matter that would have to be put to the government of Zimbabwe," is all he said.
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Meanwhile more pressure on Mbeki came from Avaaz.org the world's largest online advocacy network, that flew a giant 3000 square foot banner past the United Nations on Wednesday. The banner called on Mbeki to act on the situation in Zimbabwe. Opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai has meanwhile called for Mbeki to be 'relieved of his duties' as chief mediator in the Zimbabwe crisis. He called for a full time mediator to be based in Zimbabwe, similar to former UN chief Koffi Annan's role in Kenya, after the disputed election there.
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