SADC, AU agenda setters in Zim's reform saga

SADC and the African Union have – alongside other internal national establishments - been blamed for the failure of the Global Political Agreement and the Inclusive Government to function properly, as they have not been able to reign in the IG on breaches and non-performance of provisions of the GPA.

The sentiments were expressed by the Board Chairperson of the Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights, Andrew Makoni, at a press conference held in the capital on Thursday, January 20. It was convened to reveal ZLHR’s position on key political processes and imperatives.

“It (Inclusive Government) has failed to focus on core issues around reforms and democratization, overly concentrating on outstanding power-sharing issues, and even then it has not been effective.

“Countless resolutions and recommendations have been made and time-lines for action set at various meetings of both SADC Troika on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation, and the SADC Heads of State and Government. However, the principals have failed to comply with and/or implement these resolutions and recommendations as well as their undertakings.

“By failing to take strong action to prevent or punish breaches, SADC has encouraged – whether actively or by its own inaction – impunity and continued non-compliance with its own deadlines and benchmarks. This calls into question SADC’s political will,” he said.

He said there was now need, as the best way forward, to finalise and implement a comprehensive and decisive roadmap to fresh, free and fair elections.

“The role and responsibility of SADC and the AU in ensuring a conducive environment for the elections in the shortest time possible cannot be underestimated. There must be political will manifested through clear time-lines, and repercussions for non-compliance,” he noted.

By Gilbert Munetsi