SW Radio Africa (London)
Alex Bell
16 June 2008
Nobel laureate Archbishop Desmond Tutu has lashed out at South African President Thabo Mbeki, accusing him of being obviously reluctant to quell the situation in Zimbabwe.
Tutu was speaking during an interview with news service, Al Jazeera on Sunday. He said Zimbabweans "are not happy with the way Mbeki has handled the crisis," and that Mbeki, "chose to remain silent even when Zimbabwe's crisis was at fever pitch".
Mbeki has been widely criticised for his on-going policy of 'quiet diplomacy,' as well as his apparent support for Robert Mugabe. The South African president has also in the past actively distanced himself from the crisis, and only publicly condemned ongoing violence there for the first time last week.
In Sunday's interview, Tutu said Mbeki could have used his power as the current mediator of the crisis by warning Mugabe against dictatorial acts. The elderly but much respected laureate said he will ask former United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan to mediate the same way he conducted mediation during the Kenyan post-election violence.
Tutu said Annan is trusted better than anyone else in the world to fill the role as mediator because of his efforts on Kenya and, "the world can trust him to do the same in Zimbabwe".
He said it was unlikely that Mugabe will win the election run off on June 27th if the poll is not rigged. But he said it is highly unlikely that the election will be free and fair as Mugabe has threatened to stage a war if he loses.
Tutu added that Mugabe "should consider a dignified exit from power," and that his retirement will save many people a great deal of suffering.
Read comments. Write your own.
Copyright © 2008 SW Radio Africa. All rights reserved. Distributed by AllAfrica Global Media (allAfrica.com). To contact the copyright holder directly for corrections — or for permission to republish or make other authorized use of this material, click here.
AllAfrica aggregates and indexes content from over 125 African news organizations, plus more than 200 other sources, who are responsible for their own reporting and views. Articles and commentaries that identify allAfrica.com as the publisher are produced or commissioned by AllAfrica.
- Bishop Tutu is doing (and has done) much to assist the poor in S.A.
- Resolving the crisis in Zimbabwe would in turn ease the refugee problems that caused the recent violence in South Africa.
- The sanctions in Zimbabwe are directed at 130 ZANU (PF) government officials and are NOT affecting the economics of the country.
I hope this clears up your confusion...
Well put Gunduane. Clear and concise and to the point.
You know that you are NOT telling the truth. Why do you not just shut up and keep your self to yourelf. Things must be very bad for you that you need to start a war in Great Zimbabwe. You have always started wars and caused a lot of suffering. Remember;Burma, Malaya, Suez, Boerwar etc etc
akapfunde1: You're a funny chap but you use the same tactics as Lloyd. Mugabe would love everyone to mind their own business and he can get on with the repression. It isnt going to happen, get over it.
"These cowards have no morals. They have no shame about lying" ~Muhammed Saeed al-Sahaf(The (former) Iraqi Information Minister) the most truthful man in the world you admired him didn't you? *LOL*
Tutu has done zero but manage to be friends with the West. Tell me what Tutu did for his people during apartheid and after. Please be short and precise. I thinh Tutu is just a biz cleric about nothing.
Aka.. you really are stupid naive arent you. Just because Tutu critises the Zim government, you try to discredit him. If he was white I can guarantee you would be calling him a racist. So nice and concise, just for you 1) Tutu chaired the Truth and Reconciliation Commission - This was seen by many as a crucial component of the transition to full and free democracy from apartheid in South Africa and is regarded as successful. 2) Chairman of the Global Aids Alliance. 3) Won the noble peace price in 1984. 4) Albert Schweitzer Prize for Humanitarianism. 5) Magubela prize for liberty in 1986. 6) Gandhi Peace Prize in 2007. Still think Tutu is just a "biz cleric about nothing"?
Hey LWBJ. Why do you want hate the English so much, yet with your name you do your best to sound like one? Trying to imply that having a pompous name makes you sound important. Well the truth is that it makes you sound like a twat. Secondly. When are you going to get it through your thick skull that there are no "economic strangling sanctions" on Zimbabwe. Everyone knows there's not, yet you keep coming on here with the same unsubstantiated claims that there are. How the hell can travel restricitions and an arms embargo cripple the economy!? You really are just a stupid wannabe twat arent you!
See all comments (19).
Is it not wise for Bishop Tutu to first quell the situation in South Africa's thousands of poor, deprived, and education deprived neighborhoods?
What about a press conference Bishop Tutu explaining to the world what actions you have taken to improve the conditions of your citizens that burnt and beat immigrants and SA citizens to death out of social neglect and frustration?
Where are Tutu's priorities in Zimbabwe or with the xenophobic South Africans, non-compensated descendants and victims of sadistic Apartheid and Colonialism?
As Zimbabwe is suffering should not the demand for the end of economic strangling sanctions be lifted?
Ps: Is Bishop Tutu recommending US UK agents who assisted in the carnages of Iraq, Afghanistan, Haiti, Somalia, and Lebanon assist in bringing peace to Zimbabwe?
I thought peacemakers or men/women of God are needed?