[A-List] Zimbabwe: neighbourly pressure

["Keaney Michael" <Michael.Keaney@xxxxxx>]

Southern African leaders shut Mugabe out of senior regional role
By Basildon Peta
The Independent, 04 October 2002

Southern African leaders have barred the Zimbabwean President, Robert
Mugabe, from assuming a senior role in their 13-nation regional
alliance. Diplomatic sources said yesterday that they had feared his
leadership would destroy the organisation's reputation.

Mr Mugabe was scheduled to assume the rotating deputy chairmanship of
the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC), a post that would
automatically lead to him becoming its chairman a year later. Harare
would also have become the scheduled venue for next year's meeting.
Instead, the Tanzanian President, Benjamin Mkapa, was appointed to the
post. Next year's heads of state meeting will now be held in Tanzania.

Although regional leaders have refrained from directly attacking Mr
Mugabe over his drive to confiscate white-owned farms, diplomats said
that in behind-the-scenes discussions the leaders have persistently
tried to rein in the Zimbabwean leader.

The new SADC chairman, the Angolan President, Jose Eduardo dos Santos,
his predecessor, the Malawian President, Bakili Muluzi, and the body's
executive secretary, Prega Ramsamy, all emphasised the need for regional
stability during the summit's opening ceremony this week.

An official privy to the SADC's deliberations said: "The SADC leaders
have been criticised by Europe for turning a blind eye to Mugabe's
excesses. By keeping him away from the leadership of SADC, they hope
they can diplomatically make the world understand that they disagree
with his policies."

Zimbabwe's state media had this week celebrated the country's impending
assumption of the deputy chairmanship. TheHerald newspaper quoted
officials saying they were excited about the appointment. However, the
state media said yesterday that Mr Mugabe had chosen not to take the
post owing to other "pressing commitments" at home. The Herald said
Zimbabwe was happy to pass on the post so it could concentrate on its
land seizures.

An unnamed diplomat said: "The whole reorganisation of the SADC bureau
was unscheduled and is meant to send a message to Zimbabwe that the
region values peace, security, stability and respect for greater
democratisation."

Another diplomat said: "The heads of state and government did not have
to discuss Zimbabwe's land reform directly. Their actions sent the right
signal."

Mr Mugabe is widely seen as a liability in the region, which is faced
with a devastating famine and is desperate to attract Western
investment.