S. Africa Hopes for Zimbabwe Unity Government This Week
PRETORIA — South African President Kgalema Motlanthe expressed hope Wednesday that Zimbabwe would have a unity government this week, as he refused to join international calls for Robert Mugabe to step down.
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Mugabe's regime has come under pressure from world powers to resign amid a deadlock between rival parties over a power-sharing deal, a growing cholera epidemic and economic ruin.
Asked how bad things had to get before neighbouring South Africa joined the rising calls, Motlanthe told journalists "It's really not for us."
Australia on Wednesday joined Britain, the United States and Canada in urging Mugabe to relinquish power after ruling the nation since independence in 1980.
"I mean I don't know if the British feel qualified to impose that on the people of Zimbabwe but we feel that we should really support and take our cue from what they (Zimbabweans) want," said Motlanthe.
Australia announced it was tightening sanctions against Mugabe's regime by adding 75 individuals and four companies to a list facing financial and visa restrictions, while providing 670,000 US dollars in aid.
"The strengthened sanctions are a clear signal that the Australian government holds the brutal Mugabe regime and its closest supporters accountable for the tragedy occurring in Zimbabwe," foreign minister Stephen Smith said in a statement.
Motlanthe said South Africa stood by an agreement inked three months ago setting out a power sharing government between Mugabe and opposition rival Morgan Tsvangirai.
"We are hopeful that such an inclusive government will be put in place this week," Motlanthe told journalists a press conference in Pretoria.
His comments come days after a draft constitutional amendment was published in an official gazette, paving the way for a unity government by creating the post of prime minister for Tsvangirai.
Motlanthe said the power-sharding deal "states that once the amendment is gazetted, such a government can be formed almost immediately.
"And once it is in place, we believe it will create the possibility of dealing with the real problems."
The draft gives Mugabe power to swear in Tsvangirai before the amendment is passed by parliament, and Motlanthe said Saturday he expected the prime minister to be sworn in "with immediate effect."
However, parties remained cautious, with the opposition MDC saying key issues could still derail the agreement while Mugabe threatened fresh elections if rivals could not reach agreement on the power-sharing disputes.
Zimbabwe's political rivals have been deadlocked over the formation of a unity government since the agreement was signed three months ago under the mediation of former South African president Thabo Mbeki.
The deal has stalled due to disagreements over the allocation of key ministries.
In addition to the political crisis, Zimbabwe, once a role model economy in Africa, is facing inflation of around 231 million percent while a cholera outbreak has killed nearly 1,000 people.
Motlanthe announced that the Southern African Development Community was launching an "urgent international campaign" to assist Zimbabwe deal with a cholera outbreak.
"Zimbabwe is facing serious humanitarian challenges characterised by acute food shortages and the recent outbreak of cholera," he said.
Motlanthe said all countries in the 15-member bloc were expected to contribute to the campaign with their available resources.
He stressed that the campaign was about aid and not dealing with Zimbabwe's political crisis which would be handled by "the inclusive goverment once it is in place".
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