MDC statement to SADC EU meeting
06 November 2002
Press Release
MDC Secretary General Urges EU and SADC Ministers ‘To Focus Their Minds’ on The Crisis in Zimbabwe and Not Push It Under The Carpet.
Given that one of the main themes of tomorrow’s EU-SADC meeting is democracy, peace ands security, the MDC expects the crisis in Zimbabwe to be near the top of the agenda. Long-term peace and stability is a product of strong democratic government and not borne out of tyranny and oppression. EU and SADC Ministers need to unequivocally convey this message to Zimbabwe’s representative, Foreign minister Stan Mudenge.
A failure to raise the issue of Zimbabwe would be more than a missed opportunity. It would be a gross insult to the thousands of innocent people suffering at the hands of the violent Mugabe regime in Zimbabwe.
"We sincerely hope that EU-SADC Ministers use this opportunity to focus minds on the regional implications of the crisis in Zimbabwe and not push Zimbabwe under the carpet as part of a strategic sacrifice to make progress on other issues. Any discussion on democracy, peace and stability cannot ignore the crisis in Zimbabwe. EU-SADC Ministers should seek to publicly censure Stan Mudenge and make it clear to him that the actions of the illegitimate Mugabe regime are anathema to efforts being made to entrench and strengthen democracy in the region.
Mugabe’s irresponsible and violent actions are a scar on the SADC region and potentially pose a threat to the stability of neighbouring states, in particular Mozambique and Botswana", said MDC Secretary General, Welshman Ncube.
Grace Kwinjeh the MDC EU representative also warned the Ministers gathering in Maputo not to fall for Zanu PF propaganda that insinuates that land reform lies at the heart of Zimbabwe’s crisis.
The challenge facing the people of Zimbabwe today is how the people can restore their dignity in having a life where once again the hospital system begins to function and drugs are available, where a real plan and commitment is in place to avert the catastrophic starvation that faces the people, where food is available not just in the shelves of Zanu PF chefs’ houses but in the dinner tables of all people, where all families begin to eat three meals a day once again. The people of Zimbabwe are looking forward to a day when they can sit and hear the laughter of children playing outside in contentment as they grow in an environment of peace. The ordinary people of Zimbabwe want to regain their dignity by having access to good jobs and hope as opposed to 70% unemployment.
"The crisis in Zimbabwe is not about land, it is about legitimacy. Any discussion on Zimbabwe must acknowledge that it is Mugabe’s illegitimacy that defines the crisis in Zimbabwe. State sponsored violence, economic collapse and widespread famine are all manifestations of an illegitimate regime and all factors that characterise Zimbabwe as a potential threat to regional stability.
Mugabe’s policies will create an unmanageable and potentially destabilising refugee crisis in neighbouring countries and haemorrhage the foreign investment needed to help sustain economic growth within the region. SADC Ministers must wake up to this reality and not be hoodwinked by the deliberate distortions likely to be peddled by Stan Mudenge.
SADC, in the interests of its own long-term credibility, as well as for the sake of the region, cannot continue to ignore the threat Mugabe poses. Removing Mugabe as deputy chair of SADC was an encouraging move but should be the start of more concerted and robust diplomatic action. The meeting in Maputo provides an opportunity to step up the diplomatic pressure."
Note to Editors:
- The EU/SADC meeting was originally scheduled to take place in Copenhagen on 5 November, however, the EU informed SADC that the Zimbabwe Foreign Minister, Stan Mudenge would not be able to attend as he is banned from travelling to the EU as a result of his leading role with the illegitimate and violent Zanu PF regime in Harare. In response SADC leaders threatened, en masse, to boycott the meeting. A compromise was eventually reached and it was agreed to host the meeting in Maputo, Mozambique.
- The EU-SADC dialogue was initiated in Berlin in 1994.
- Meetings are held every two years
For Further Information, Please contact:
Paul Themba Nyathi,
Secretary for Information and Publicity
00263 91 291727
Nkanyiso Maqeda,
Director of Communication and Party Services.
00263 91 248 570
BRUSSELS,
Grace Kwinjeh
0032 494 1 81 621
LONDON,
James Littleton
00 44 7771 501 401
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