Monkagedi Gaotlhobogwe
15 September 2008
Foreign Affairs Minister Phandu Skelemani has said that President Ian Khama may travel to Zimbabwe today to witness the signing of the power sharing agreement between ZANU-PF and the opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC).
"I am not definitely saying we are going, but if we are going, we will have to go there early Monday (today), for the 10am signing ceremony... we are obviously happy with the latest developments in Zimbabwe, because that is what Botswana has been calling for," Skelemani said.
"Yes we will go. We have said it before that if we are asked to help, we will gladly go and offer solutions. We will go there to witness with others, in order to encourage and inspire the (Zimbabwean) leaders, and to show them that we appreciate that things are moving in the positive direction. Going to Zimbabwe will not be inconsistent with our position," he said.
Botswana, Liberia, Nigeria, and Tanzania have publicly declared that they do not recognise Robert Mugabe as the legitimate president of Zimbabwe, after the ZANU-PF leader rigged the June presidential election run-off boycotted by MDC leader, Morgan Tsvangirai.
The mediator in the Zimbabwe power sharing talks, President Thabo Mbeki of South Africa has invited African leaders to Harare to witness the signing ceremony. Mbeki is the chairman of the regional body, SADC.
Skelemani was cautious on Friday about the latest developments in the mediation. "I hear they are not done yet; that is why they have not signed today (Friday). I hear they are still discussing how they can share the various ministries. Obviously we are happy (as Botswana government). We are not going to give them our back. But they are not out of the woods yet, until Parliament endorses the agreed changes," Skelemani said.
He asserted that the power sharing agreement is the first step towards peace and stability in Zimbabwe. "Parliament as the law making body will have to endorse these agreements so that they become constitutional. Imagine if Parliament refuses to endorse them, then we will be back to square one. We are very happy that the leaders have agreed. Our wish is that the Zimbabwean Parliament will endorse the amendments," Skelemani added.
"People should recall that the power sharing deal comes as a result of an electoral process that failed to produce a President. The new government must be understood to be interim. A proper government will come after the people of Zimbabwe have voted for their President. So they should then go for elections as soon as possible," he said.
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