Bame Piet
14 November 2008
opinion
Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation minister, Phandu Skelemani, has described as "ridiculous and absurd" President Robert Mugabe's allegations that Botswana is training Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) youth to effect regime change in Zimbabwe.
Skelemani was briefing Parliament on the outcome of last week's Southern African (SADC) Extra-Ordinary Summit held in Johannesburg, South Africa, to try to find solutions to the Zimbabwean political crisis.
Even Parliamentarians could not hide their frustrations with Mugabe, saying SADC should have told him that he is an embarrassment to the region and has compromised its stability.
Others suggested that Botswana should cut diplomatic ties with Zimbabwe with immediate effect and that SADC should invite other international bodies such as the United Nations (UN) to intervene. He said that should cooperation fail between Mugabe and Movement for Democratic Change president, Morgan Tsvangirai for the next six months, Botswana government will "go back to square one" by not recognising him as president.
He is still of the view that re-run of presidential elections is the only solution to the Zimbabwean impasse.
Parliament learnt that Mugabe made the allegations at an extraordinary summit of SADC Troika in Harare on October 27-28. "Consequent to this allegation, Botswana was shocked by the baseless and absurd charges that were levelled at Botswana by authorities in Zimbabwe at the extraordinary meeting of the Interstate Defence and Security Committee of the Organ Troika held in Maputo on November 5 2008.
"The allegations that the government of Botswana would wish to train foreign nationals on its territory to effect regime change is ridiculous and all who are aware of Botswana's longstanding commitment to the principles of good neighbourliness, non-interference in the internal affairs of others, and peaceful resolution of disputes in our region and elsewhere would no doubt attest to this," the minister said.
Skelemani believes that the allegations were made to divert attention from the real problematic issues in Zimbabwe. The ZANU-PF and MDC have not been able to reach an agreement on who should be in charge of the Home Affairs Ministry, which controls the police.
The summit recommended that the two parties should co-manage the ministry. However, Tsvangirai told reporters at the end of the summit that home affairs is not the only problem, co-management is impracticable, adding that they do not accept the recommendation.
Although he also believes that co-management of a ministry is impracticable, Skelemani remained hopeful that the warring parties will give it a try. He sympathised with MDC in that they went to the SADC summit hoping to find a resolution to the impasse only to be told to go back and do this and that.
He stated that the Botswana government is against any sanctions against Zimbabwe, as they would hurt ordinary citizens on the streets.
On other regional matters, Skelemani said that Angola sending troops into the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) was problematic because it was likely to cause confusion. He called on the UN troops to "make peace" in the DRC for them to keep it.
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Mugabe is far worse than just ridiculous. A tyranny who blames everything on the west and others but never consider himself a failure.He is a shame and a fraud to Zimbabwe.SADC now see that Mugabe is a liability who just has to be ridden of because he brings a bad image to the continent.One thing which Zimbabweans cry out for is to wish Mugabe were dead..Musi waanobva pachigaro it shall be greater than a 1980 independence day.That day is getting near!
ALL Zimbabweans want Mugabe dead? A priori, this is a false proposition, for reasons too obvious to profess.
By the way, it is a crime to call for the demise of a head of state; and, instead of beating around the bush, let's face the issue. Is Botswana the new Burkina Faso of Southern Africa or not? Maybe, Mugabe is right? Or, maybe, what? Crazy, mistaken, bla, bla, bla?
At least, he is not taking orders from the Masters in Paris. Way to go, dude!
Glory to the old Fighter! (On this issue)
this guy allahlow watever it is is stupid....you cant be saying that..people are suffering and you looking at your personal interest cos watever mugage is having right now favours you...it will be you net time my boy....mugabe is not a wise leader... i think his age might be contributing...he is selfish...he did not fight for independence of zimbabwe alone...he was sent by the zimbabweans...even if he did, it dosnt mean he have to mess with zim and the zimbabweanbs...i had this idiot
Does my alleged "stupidity" prevent me from expressing my support for the Great Fighter, Cdr. MUGABE, AND from doing so with prose that sparkles, rocking in planet "beautiful language," to borrow one of the rhetorical commonplaces of the Holy Qur'an, and it certainly does not prevent me from denying each and every proposition in your post, to the extent that I understand its SENSE after reading it a zillion times---or, do you think that it does?
If so, glory to STUPIDITY in abstracto, and more glory to MY STUPIDITY in concreto.
Kindest Felicitations and Regards.
Jallohlaw, you know zilch. Just a pompous twit.
I will be happy the day Mugabe and regime hang from a tree by there necks for there crimes. I wonder if Mugabe will die in Zim or run like the girly coward he is to Malaysia or Thailand.
What has the suffering masses of Great Zimbabwe gained so far from your insults and of Great Zimbabwe RGM....our living Munhumutapa !!!! I am sure you are capable of coming up with some concrete proposals and constructive ideas.....you young man...our future.
This is a clear example of diplomatic failure by Mugabe’s regime towards a close African country. Whoever advises Mugabe has now completely finished him and tolerance from other member states is likely to diminish. Is it not true that Zimbabwe clearly lacks a leader or leadership which can restore dignity to the many Zimbabweans? Here we have a leader who is shunned by the international community and now messing his very neighbours. Such allegations against Botswana are really sickening, very counterproductive and are likely to wipe Zimbabwe from the face of progressive countries.