9 June 2008
Ndola — TRANSPARENCY International Zambia (TIZ) and the Foundation for Democratic Process (Fodep) have condemned Zimbabwean attacks on President Mwanawasa over his efforts to resolve the crisis in that country.
TIZ president, Reuben Lifuka and his FODEP counterpart, Stanley Mhango said that it was regrettable that the Government of Zimbabwe had persistently accused President Mwanawasa of being funded by the West to press for regime change in that country.
Mr Lifuka said that Dr Mwanawasa had made serious strides in resolving the post-election crisis in Zimbabwe.
"The Zimbabwean government should take this issue seriously. Attacking President Mwanawasa or SADC will not help resolve the problems. If they are not happy with his approach of doing things they should say so than having one minister saying this and another one responding," Mr Lifuka said.
With the attacks by the Zimbabwean government on SADC, Mr Lifuka suggested that President Robert Mugabe and Dr Mwanawasa meet to discuss the impasse.
Since Zimbabwe was the nation in the political quagmire, Mr Lifuka said Mr Mugabe should be receptive to dialogue with Dr Mwanawasa.
"Zimbabwean leaders should realise that Dr Mwanawasa as SADC leader means well and they should be ready to accept the help. The onus is on the leaders in that country to accept that there is a crisis in Zimbabwe," Mr Lifuka said.
Mr Mhango said separately that FODEP was taken aback by the attacks on President Mwanawasa as he was simply carrying out his duties as SADC chairperson.
He said that SADC had a responsibility to find a lasting solution to the Zimbabwe crisis and Dr Mwanawasa had the mandate to ensure that the region was not engulfed in political upheavals.
"Dr Mwanawasa is simply carrying out his duties to ensure that the problems in Zimbabwe are resolved. Zimbabwe should use diplomatic channels to resolve the crisis and not to attack Dr Mwanawasa," Mr Mhango said.
He said that the Zimbabwean government should recall the efforts made by Zambia to ensure that the country's southern neighbour got its independence from the colonial masters.
In order for Zimbabwe to get its independence, he said, Zambia made huge sacrifices to liberate that country.
Mr Mhango said it was, therefore, inappropriate for Zimbabwe to be attacking Zambia considering the efforts made to liberate that country.
"Zambians lost their lives in order to liberate our friends and the attacks are not fair. President Mwanawasa should be supported for the role he is playing and not to be attacked," Mr Mhango said.
The Zambian Government, with the support from the Southern African Development Community (SADC), should ensure the relation between the two countries becomes normal without any delay.
Apart from the efforts by SADC, he said that other international organisations should also come on board and support Dr Mwanawasa.
Chief Government spokesperson, Mike Mulongoti said in an interview yesterday that the Government could not comment on the suggestion until the president returned from China.
"I cannot say anything because the president is out of the country. The Government would only be able to respond after the president is back," Mr Mulongoti said.
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