Dumisani Muleya And Wilson Johwa
27 November 2008
Johannesburg — BOTSWANA has upped the ante in its intensifying diplomatic row with Zimbabwe by urging regional leaders to squeeze President Robert Mugabe out of power to end the worsening political and economic crisis.
The move is likely to dramatically increase diplomatic tensions between the two neighbouring states, while putting pressure on the Southern African Development Community (SADC) to adopt strong action against Mugabe.
Botswana's Foreign Minister Phandu Skelemani yesterday suggested in an interview with the BBC that if the ongoing power- sharing talks in Pretoria collapse, SADC must accept it had failed and consider further measures against Mugabe.
Zimbabwe has accused Botswana of providing opposition activists with military training to overthrow Mugabe. Botswana dismissed the allegations as "nonsensical and absurd". It invited a full investigation. Mugabe last week sent a probe team to Botswana but nothing came of it.
Tensions between Zimbabwe and Botswana have been steadily rising since the March elections which Mugabe lost to opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai.
Meanwhile, Zimbabwe's opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) ratcheted up pressure on former president Thabo Mbeki yesterday, calling for him to step aside as mediator in the power-sharing talks.
MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai said Mbeki's attitude was among several issues that hampered talks to form a unity government. "He does not appear to understand how desperate the problem in Zimbabwe is, and the solutions he proposes are too small," said Tsvangirai.
The MDC said Mbeki was not working to bring the parties together as he did not understand what needed to be done.
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The only solution is to get rid of Mugabe. He has clearly shown no respect to his fellow countrymen (The ones he is supposed to represent). Enough is enough. SA, Botswana and the rest of southern Africa now is the time to move in. Left any longer you will only expose you country's to the things like Cholera and illegal immigration even more. The people of Zimbabwe deserve better.
TD and Be Free,
Both your comments are valid and both have equal merit. Yes, closing the border may not be possible or a good thing, but it does say Botswana has a very good stand on this matter. It also sends a messege that Zimbabweans need to do their own share of removing mugabe from power! That is precisely what leads to what Be Free is saying. The embarrassment to SADC is complete and done. SADC has lost some of the old pride of saying we are the most stable of Africa. Mugabe has been a disaster for the region and the ability to act has been slow. The carrott from SADC leaders need a stick now with respect to Mugabe!
We might agree with the principled stand by Botswana, but definitely the Foreign Minister is losing the trap the moment he starts mentioning about closing borders. People in Zimbabwe need more humanitarian assistance than sanctions of any form. That will merely worsen their plight. The Foreign Minister needs to suggest practical solutions, or just concentrate on putting pressure through we do not recognize Mugabe rethoric or boycotting more SADC forums as they have done in tha past, but to start coming up with solutions that worsin the situation on an already desperate situation is not a very wise solution. Minister, do not always talk before you think. Why don't you drop food and medicines at the moment if you think its practical. You obviously know that it is not possible now neither will it be possible after closing the borders.