The Southern African Development Community (SADC) is orchestrating an extraordinary summit of heads of state and government concerning the ongoing political conundrum in Zimbabwe, scheduled for this upcoming Wednesday. Hosted under the guidance of the current SADC Chairperson, Angolan President João Lourenço, this summit bears substantial political implications for Zimbabwe and its President, Emmerson Mnangagwa. This exclusive insight has been courtesy of The NewsHawks, who have been meticulously tracking the intricate political shifts surrounding this matter.
The forthcoming special gathering follows a slew of intense regional consultations spurred by the contested elections in Zimbabwe held on 23/24 August. The electoral discord has aggravated existing fissures not only within Zimbabwe but also across the regional and global spectrum. This division has firmly rooted itself against the backdrop of Zimbabwe’s escalating economic decline.
Exclusive documents obtained by The NewsHawks from Zimbabwe’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, along with the SADC headquarters in Gaborone, Botswana, illuminate the precise preparations for the looming summit. A missive issued on 19 October 2023 by the SADC troika organ on politics, defence, and security cooperation director, Professor Kula Ishmael Theletsane, detailed the timetable of the virtual meeting earmarked for 25 October 2023 from 10 am to 1 pm.
With its headquarters ensconced in Gaborone and the current chair of SADC being Angola, the regional bloc is adeptly navigating the complex political milieu. Distinguished officials such as Pearson Chigiji and Isabelle Lemba, representing the foreign affairs ministries of Zimbabwe and Zambia respectively, have been briefed on the meeting’s agenda.
The summit, according to the draft agenda, will engage in a range of pivotal issues including the recent SADC mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and its sanctioned budget. Furthermore, the outcomes of the meeting of the quadripartite’s chiefs of defence convened by the African Commission on 6 October 2023 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, will also be up for discussion.
Although the agenda clearly mentions an update on DRC, it is the tumultuous political scenario of Zimbabwe that catalysed the summoning of this extraordinary summit. SADC leaders are addressing the Zimbabwean dilemma with a mix of caution and resolve, reflective of the nuanced geopolitical dynamics in motion.
The brewing discontent post Zimbabwe’s disputed elections has not only reverberated among its citizenry, who grapple with economic adversities daily, but has also echoed across regional and global corridors of power. South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, notably, has been engaging in covert dialogues with Mnangagwa, signalling profound concerns over the ripple effects of Zimbabwe’s enduring crisis on South Africa, particularly as it braces for significant elections next year.
The exodus of approximately four million Zimbabweans escaping the political and economic tumult at home has exacerbated immigration issues in South Africa, further propelling the urgency of the situation. On the international stage, the electoral discord in Zimbabwe has captured attention in forums such as the United Kingdom’s House of Lords and even in distant nations like Russia, known for its autocratic governance.
Central to the electoral dispute in Zimbabwe are accusations of overt voter suppression and manipulation masterminded by the ruling party, Zanu PF, steered by President Mnangagwa. Opposition leader Nelson Chamisa vehemently dubbed the electoral process, overseen by a Central Intelligence Organisation-controlled entity, as a “gigantic fraud”, casting a bleak shadow over Zimbabwe’s democratic landscape.
As the SADC leaders converge virtually to deliberate on these pressing issues, the eyes of the region and the world will be keenly fixed on the outcomes of this summit. The discussions and resolutions emanating from this gathering could potentially delineate a new political trajectory for Zimbabwe, impacting not only its citizens but resonating across the southern African region and beyond.
About The Author
This Owen guy always has something bad to say about Zimbabwe. He’s just echoing what the West wants us to believe. Why can’t he see any of the good things happening in our country? His reports are always one-sided and negative!
I’ve lost faith in SADC. They hardly ever speak out against undemocratic actions in their member states. People are suffering under these dictatorships, and SADC just turns a blind eye. It’s so disappointing to see this lack of action and support for democracy in our region.
Totally agree with this article. SADC has long been a club for dictators who just watch each other’s backs. They never really solve problems. Just look at how they’ve been handling issues in Zimbabwe. No real change, just talks. SADC needs to do better!