2008 Southern African Development Community emergency meeting

Last updated

Zambian President Levy Mwanawasa called an emergency meeting of SADC leaders for 12 April during the 2008 Zimbabwe presidential election to discuss the post-election impasse. [1] [2] According to Mwanawasa, Zimbabwe's "deepening problems" meant that the issue needed to be "dealt with at presidential level". [2] Jacob Zuma, meanwhile, said that he thought results should have already been announced, [1] and he described the failure to release them as "unprecedented". [3]

Contents

Meeting details

Biti said on 10 April that the MDC would not participate in a second round, reiterating the party's claim that Tsvangirai won a majority in the first round. [4] [5] According to the law, if one candidate in a second round withdraws, the other candidate is automatically the winner. Chinamasa was dismissive of the MDC's claim that it would not participate in a second round, saying that if the party was serious, it should formally withdraw. According to Chinamasa, the MDC wanted to avoid humiliation in a second round, which he predicted ZANU-PF would win by a large margin, and was using the threat to boycott as a "face-saving gesture". [6]

Biti also urged SADC leaders due to meet in Zambia on 12 April to call for Mugabe's resignation, and he said that Tsvangirai would attend the SADC meeting. Matonga, the Deputy Information Minister, said initially that Mugabe would also attend the SADC meeting, [4] [5] although Information Minister Sikhanyiso Ndlovu said that "there is no crisis in Zimbabwe that warrants a special meeting on Zimbabwe". [5] Soon afterwards, state radio reported that three ministers would represent Zimbabwe at the summit, rather than Mugabe himself. Matonga said the summit was called without consulting Zimbabwe. [7] According to Matonga, Mugabe decided not to attend because he could not answer anything; as a candidate, he was unable to say what the results of the election would be or when they would be announced. Tsvangirai met with South African President Thabo Mbeki on 10 April in Johannesburg. [8]

The MDC issued pamphlets on 11 April calling for a general strike beginning on 15 April to demand the release of results. [9] [10] The strike was to continue until the announcement of results. [11] On the same day, police banned political rallies in Harare. [9] [10] Bvudzijena, announcing the ban, said that most policemen were occupied with guarding ballot boxes [8] [12] and ensuring security in the wake of the election, [8] meaning that they were not able to handle rallies; [12] furthermore, he said that there was no need for rallies because the election had already been held. [9] [10] The MDC had planned to hold a rally on 13 April. Nelson Chamisa of the MDC said: "We cannot accept a declaration of a police state. People have just voted for change, for democracy and what do they get? This is unacceptable." [10] [12] Assistant Police Commissioner Faustino Mazango accused the MDC of sending 350 activists to stir up violence and warned that anyone attempting to "provoke a breach of peace, whoever they are and whatever office they hold, will be dealt with severely". [12]

Mbeki visited Harare and met with Mugabe on 12 April immediately before going to Lusaka for the SADC meeting on the same day. After he met with Mugabe, Mbeki said that there was not a crisis, emphasising that it was the responsibility of the Electoral Commission to release results and urging patience in waiting for the results. [3] [13] At the summit, Zimbabwe was to be represented by Mnangagwa, Chinamasa, Foreign Minister Simbarashe Mumbengegwi, and Foreign Affairs Permanent Secretary Joey Bimha. [13] Mugabe, for his part, said that his decision not to attend the summit was not a snub: "We are very good friends and very good brothers. Sometimes you attend, sometimes you have other things holding you back." [3]

Regarding Mbeki's statement that the situation in Zimbabwe was not a crisis, Tsvangirai said that "such a misrepresentation creates the perception of quiet approval which I think is quite shocking", and he indicated that Mbeki had expressed a different view when the two had met privately. MDC Secretary for International Affairs Elphas Mukonoweshuro was overtly hostile in his reaction to Mbeki's statement, wondering if Mbeki had been drunk at the time. [14]

After the SADC meeting

Despite the absence of Mugabe, the 13-hour SADC meeting in Lusaka lasted well into the night. Tsvangirai attended the meeting, and he and Biti were broadly happy with the outcome. [15] [16] [17] Zambian Foreign Minister Kabinga Pande, reading a joint statement, [18] said that "the summit urged the electoral authorities in Zimbabwe that verification and release of results are expeditiously done in accordance with the due process of law" and that it "also urged all the parties in the electoral process in Zimbabwe to accept the results when they are announced." The summit also urged the government "to ensure that the run-off elections are held in a secure environment". The regional leaders also called on Mbeki to continue his mission as chief mediator between Zanu-PF and the MDC; [15] [16] [17] Biti urged Mbeki to deal more aggressively with Mugabe in the future. [15] [19] The joint statement included no criticism of Mugabe or any mention of him at all. [20]

Youth Absolom Sikhosana called on the youth to vote for Mugabe. He said that many people in the first round "voted with their stomachs", hoping Tsvangirai could bring economy recovery, but according to Sikhosana "the same foreign interests who are promising an overnight turnaround in the event of a Tsvangirai presidency are the same who have destroyed the economy". Sikhosana said that, while Tsvangirai promised employment, Mugabe was offering more: "he is giving the youth the opportunity to own the means of production" and "have full charge of their environment and control their resources", which Sikhosana described as a prerequisite for national wealth. [21] In The Herald on the same day, ZANU-PF spokesman Nathan Shamuyarira denied the existence of any plan to kill Tsvangirai, saying that it had "no foundation whatsoever except in his own dreams". Similarly, Matonga said that the claim of an assassination plot was "stupid". [22] US Ambassador James McGee called on Tsvangirai to return, noting his security concerns but saying that "as a strong leader, he should be back showing his people that he cares every bit as much for them as they do for him." [23]

Also on 20 May, in response to Chinamasa's proposal in the previous week to establish joint ZANU-PF/MDC committees to bring an end to the violence, Chamisa said that the MDC was willing to participate in these committees, but he nevertheless strongly criticised ZANU-PF. He said that ZANU-PF had made this offer only due to international pressure, that the violence was ongoing (by this point the MDC placed the death toll at 43), as part of a "grand plan to rig the elections" by attacking MDC supporters and displacing them from their constituencies, and he doubted that ZANU-PF would stop. [24]

MDC MP Ian Kay was arrested on 20 May for alleged responsibility for violence in Mashonaland East, while another MDC MP, Amos Chibaya was arrested on 21 May for allegedly inciting junior officers in the police to rebel. [25]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Roy Bennett (politician)</span> Zimbabwean politician (1957–2018)

Roy Leslie Bennett was a Zimbabwean politician and member of the British South Africa Police. He was also a member of the House of Assembly of Zimbabwe for the seat of Chimanimani, where he was affectionately known as Pachedu. He was the Treasurer of the Movement for Democratic Change party led by Morgan Tsvangirai and a member of the Senate of Zimbabwe. He was set to become the Deputy Minister of Agriculture of Zimbabwe until President Robert Mugabe refused to swear him in.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Arthur Mutambara</span>

Arthur Guseni Oliver Mutambara is a Zimbabwean politician. He became the president of the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) in February 2006. He has worked as a director and CEO of Africa Technology and Business Institute since September 2003. Under a September 2008 power-sharing agreement, Mutambara served in the government as one of two Deputy Prime Ministers from 2009 to 2013.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dumiso Dabengwa</span> Zimbabwean politician (1939–2019)

Dumiso Dabengwa was a Zimbabwean politician. He served as the head of Zimbabwe People's Revolutionary Army (ZIPRA) intelligence during the Rhodesian Bush War.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tendai Biti</span> Zimbabwean politician

Tendai Laxton Biti is a Zimbabwean politician who served as Finance Minister of Zimbabwe from 2009 to 2013. He is the current Member of Parliament for Harare East Constituency and the second Vice President of Citizens Coalition for Change. He was the Secretary-General of the Movement for Democratic Change and the subsequent Movement for Democratic Change – Tsvangirai (MDC-T) political parties and a Member of Parliament for Harare East until he was expelled from the party and recalled from parliament in mid-2014,before winning the seat again in 2018.

Sydney Tigere Sekeramayi is a Zimbabwean politician who served in the government of Zimbabwe as Minister of Defence between 2013 and 2017. He has been a minister in the Cabinet since independence in 1980, serving as Minister of Defence from 2001 to 2009 and Minister of State Security from 2009 to 2013.

Patrick Antony Chinamasa is a Zimbabwean politician who served in the government of Zimbabwe as the minister of various cabinet ministries. Previously he served as the Minister of Finance and Investment Promotion and the Minister of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs.

Munyaradzi Paul Mangwana is a Zimbabwean politician, who has previously served in the cabinet of Zimbabwe.

Simbarashe Herbert Stanley Makoni is a Zimbabwean politician and was a candidate for the March 2008 presidential election against incumbent Robert Mugabe. He was Minister of Finance and Economic Development in President Robert Mugabe's cabinet from 2000 to 2002. He faced strong opposition during the Economic Change in Zimbabwe in the early 2000s as his policies contradicted those of the rest of the ZANU-PF party.

Webster Kotiwani Shamu is a Zimbabwean politician and former Minister of Mashonaland West Provincial Affairs fired by President Emmerson Mnangagwa on 21 May 2018. He previously served as Minister of Information and Publicity, and Minister of State for Policy Implementation. He is a member of parliament representing the Chegutu constituency. The Cabinet of Zimbabwe was later dissolved on 27 November 2017.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Simba Makoni 2008 presidential campaign</span>

In January, 2008 the BBC reported that Simba Makoni might be nominated to run against Robert Mugabe in the Zimbabwean 2008 presidential election.

Campaigning for the first round of the presidential election held in Zimbabwe on 29 March 2008 took place from February to March. There were three major candidates: President Robert Mugabe of the ruling Zimbabwe African National Union - Patriotic Front (ZANU-PF), Morgan Tsvangirai of the opposition Movement for Democratic Change, and the independent candidate Simba Makoni.

This article gives details about the vote counting system for the 2008 Zimbabwe presidential election

The events of the first and second rounds of the Zimbabwean presidential election, which Robert Mugabe of ZANU-PF won on 27 June 2008 after his challenger, Morgan Tsvangirai of the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC), withdrew from the process and declared it illegitimate, caused reactions from many international bodies. Other Zimbabwean groups have denounced the poll as well

The second round of voting in the Zimbabwean presidential election of 2008 was held between Robert Mugabe and Morgan Tsvangirai after the first round failed to produce a 50% majority for either candidate. The election process was marred by violence against and intimidation of voters and party workers, which eventually led to the withdrawal of Tsvangirai from the poll. This left Mugabe as the winner of, effectively, a one-candidate election.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2008–2009 Zimbabwean political negotiations</span>

The 2008–2009 Zimbabwean political negotiations between the opposition Movement for Democratic Change, its small splinter group, the Movement for Democratic Change – Mutambara, and the ruling Zimbabwe African National Union – Patriotic Front were intended to negotiate an end to the partisan violence and human rights violations in Zimbabwe and create a framework for a power-sharing executive government between the two parties. These negotiations followed the 2008 presidential election, in which Mugabe was controversially re-elected, as well as the 2008 parliamentary election, in which the MDC won a majority in the House of Assembly.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Movement for Democratic Change – Tsvangirai</span> Political party in Zimbabwe

The Movement for Democratic Change – Tsvangirai (MDC–T) is a centre-left political party and was the main opposition party in the House of Assembly of Zimbabwe ahead of the 2018 elections. After the split of the original Movement for Democratic Change in 2005, the MDC–T remained the major opposition faction, while a smaller faction, the Movement for Democratic Change – Ncube, or MDC–N, was led by Welshman Ncube.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Morgan Tsvangirai</span> Prime Minister of Zimbabwe from 2009 to 2013

Morgan Richard Tsvangirai was a Zimbabwean politician who was Prime Minister of Zimbabwe from 2009 to 2013. He was President of the Movement for Democratic Change, and later the Movement for Democratic Change – Tsvangirai (MDC–T), and a key figure in the opposition to former President Robert Mugabe.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">South Africa–Zimbabwe relations</span> Bilateral relations

South Africa–Zimbabwe relations have been generally cordial since the end of apartheid in South Africa, although there have been tensions due to political troubles in Zimbabwe in recent years.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2013 Zimbabwean general election</span>

General elections were held in Zimbabwe on 31 July 2013. Incumbent President Robert Mugabe was re-elected, whilst his ZANU–PF party won a two-thirds majority in the National Assembly.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2008 Zimbabwean general election</span>

General elections were held in Zimbabwe on 29 March 2008 to elect the President and Parliament. Because of Zimbabwe's dire economic situation, the elections were expected to provide incumbent President Robert Mugabe with his toughest electoral challenge to date. Mugabe's opponents were critical of the handling of the electoral process, and the government was accused of planning to rig the election. Human Rights Watch said that the election was likely to be "deeply flawed."

References

  1. 1 2 "SADC calls Zim crisis meeting" Archived 12 June 2008 at the Wayback Machine , Reuters (News24), 9 April 2008.
  2. 1 2 "Zambia to hold Zimbabwe summit", Al Jazeera, 9 April 2008.
  3. 1 2 3 "What Zim crisis?", AFP (IOL), 12 April 2008.
  4. 1 2 "Zimbabwe opposition rejects run-off" Archived 13 June 2008 at the Wayback Machine , Al Jazeera, 10 April 2008.
  5. 1 2 3 "MDC says Tsvangirai will not stand in run-off" Archived 15 May 2008 at the Wayback Machine , Associated Press (newzimbabwe.com), 10 April 2008.
  6. ↑ "Few options for MDC in poll stalemate" Archived 30 June 2008 at the Wayback Machine , newzimbabwe.com, 14 April 2008.
  7. ↑ Nelson Banya, "Mugabe snubs SADC, political rallies banned", Reuters (IOL), 11 April 2008.
  8. 1 2 3 "Mugabe pulls out of key meeting on election crisis", CNN, 12 April 2008.
  9. 1 2 3 "Police ban rallies as MDC calls nationwide job boycotts" Archived 12 April 2008 at the Wayback Machine , AFP (newzimbabwe.com), 11 April 2008.
  10. 1 2 3 4 "Zimbabwe opposition calls strike", Al Jazeera, 11 April 2008.
  11. ↑ Bruce Sibanda, "Tsvangirai sets conditions for run-off as strike set to begin" Archived 16 January 2013 at archive.today , Afrik.com, 15 April 2008.
  12. 1 2 3 4 "Zimbabwe bans political rallies", BBC News, 11 April 2008.
  13. 1 2 "Zimbabwe focus of regional summit", Al Jazeera, 12 April 2008.
  14. ↑ "Top MDC official calls Mbeki a 'drunkard'" Archived 20 May 2008 at the Wayback Machine , newzimbabwe.com, 15 April 2008.
  15. 1 2 3 "Summit delivers no quick fix to Zim deadlock", AFP (IOL), 13 April 2008.
  16. 1 2 "Zim summit ends at dawn" Archived 13 June 2008 at the Wayback Machine , Associated Press (News24), 13 April 2008.
  17. 1 2 Serena Chaudhry, "SADC urges rapid Zim poll result" Archived 27 May 2012 at the Wayback Machine , Reuters and AFP (Mail & Guardian Online), 13 April 2008.
  18. ↑ Full Text — SADC Communiqué [ permanent dead link ] The Zimbabwe Guardian (London)
  19. ↑ "Zimbabwe poll results release urged" Archived 14 June 2008 at the Wayback Machine , Al Jazeera, 13 April 2008.
  20. ↑ "Zim court turns down opposition", Sapa-AFP (IOL), 14 April 2008.
  21. ↑ "Zanu-PF Gears for Run-Off Poll", The Herald (allAfrica.com), 21 May 2008.
  22. ↑ "Assassination claims stupid, says Zanu-PF", Sapa-Associated Press (IOL), 20 May 2008.
  23. ↑ Donna Bryson, "US urges Tsvangirai to return", Sapa-Associated Press (IOL), 20 May 2008.
  24. ↑ "Zim violence: MDC slams Zanu-PF", The Star (IOL), 21 May 2008, page 7.
  25. ↑ "Zim opposition lawmakers arrested", Sapa-AFP (IOL), 21 May 2008.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.