Back to Index

Tutu blames Mbeki for 'quiet diplomacy'
Africa News, Netherlands
June 15, 2008

http://www.africanews.com/site/list_message/13994?data%5Bsource%5D=rss

Joyce Joan Wangui, Bonn, Germany South Africa's Nobel Prize Laureate and Archbishop of Capetown Desmond Tutu now blames President Thabo Mbeki for keeping mum over the Zimbabwe crisis. In an interview with Aljazeera, Tutu openly said that Mbeki has been reluctant to quell the ghastly situation in Zimbabwe.

"I can tell you that Zimbabweans are not happy with the way Mbeki has handled the crisis in Zimbabwe. In most cases, Mbeki chose to remain silent even when Zimbabwe's crisis was at fever pitch."

The vocal but soft-spoken prelate however said that South Africa does not tolerate the situation in Zimbabwe. He said that South Africa has a pivotal role to play in mediating the current political crisis in Zimbabwe. His remarks come in the wake of the just ended xenophobic attacks that saw thousands of Zimbabwe flee South Africa for their safety.

Tutu now says that Mbeki could have flexed his muscles as the current mediator of the Zimbabwe crisis and warn Mugabe against his dictatorial acts.

Even as Mbeki distanced himself from the Zimbabwe crisis, Zambian President who is also the current chair of SADC, Levy Mwanawasa used his position to warn Mugabe of dire consequences, if he continued to oppress his people.

Tutu has appealed to the African Union, SADC and the international community at large to intervene and reverse the ugly trend in Zimbabwe.

Nominated Kofi Annan
Tutu says he will ask former UN Secretary General Kofi Annan to mediate in the Zimbabwe crisis, the same way he conducted the mediation during the Kenyan post-election violence.

"Kofi Annan did a splendid job in Kenya when the country was at the brink of violence. If Zimbabwe were to go the mediation route, I will definitely nominate Mr. Annan."

Tutu said that Annan has the right credentials to mediate over the Zimbabwe issue and the world trusts him better than anyone else.

"He showed patience and commitment in the Kenyan mediation talks and the world can trust him to do the same in Zimbabwe," says Tutu.

Time for Mugabe to leave
Asked about Mugabe's departure from Statehouse, Tutu said that time had come for Mugabe to leave the throne. He added that Mugabe's retirement would save many Zimbabweans a great deal of suffering.

"Mugabe should consider a dignified exit from power and many people will respect him for that."

According to Tutu, it seems unlikely that Mugabe would win the June 27 Presidential elections. Zimbabweans are likely to see a fair result emerging from the polls if Mugabe does not rig.

But knowing Mugabe for what he is, Tutu says that it is highly unlikely to have a free and fair election as Mugabe has already threatened to stage war if he loses the elections.

Tutu also suggests a government of national unity that comprises of Mugabe's ZANU-PF and the opposition's Movement of Democratic Change (MDC) currently chaired by Morgan Tvchangirai.

Apologizes following the recent xenophobic attacks that saw thousands of foreigners evicted from South Africa, Arch-Bishop Tutu has apologized on behalf of the South African government.

"I apologize to Zimbabweans and other foreigners who bore the brunt of ghastly xenophobic attacks in several townships of South Africa.

Please credit www.kubatana.net if you make use of material from this website. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons License unless stated otherwise.

TOP