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CSOs urge SADC to intervene in Zimbabwe crisis

CSOs urge SADC to intervene in Zimbabwe crisis

October 31, 2018

Namibian President Hage Geingob
from AFRED SHILONGO in Windhoek, Namibia
WINDHOEK, (CAJ News) – CIVIL society organisations (CSOs) have appealed to regional leaders to resolve the political and economic crisis in Zimbabwe before it spills into neighbouring countries.

The appeal came as a delegation from the Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition (CIZC) met the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Chairperson and President of Namibia, Hage Geingob, at State House in the capital Windhoek this week.

The meeting came on the back of a worsening economic downturn and heightening political differences following the July 30 elections that the main opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) Alliance claims were rigged.

“If left unresolved this (Zimbabwe crisis) has economic, social and security effects at a regional level,” warned Rashid Mahiya, Chairperson of CIZC.

He bemoaned the lack of progress in the implementation of the 2013 constitution as well as non-implementation of recommendations by the SADC Election Observer Mission to facilitate Diaspora voting.

“The events of August 1, 2018 in which the military shot seven unarmed civilians in the full glare of both regional and international media is evidence of the above,” Mahiya stressed.

Geingob committed to engage the Zimbabwean authorities and bring the concerns raised by the Coalition to the attention of SADC.

He reiterated calls for peace and stability in Zimbabwe.

The 16-member SADC has previously come under criticism for its so-called quiet diplomacy on Zimbabwe.

Only Botswana, and to a lesser extent Zambia, have spoken out against the violations by the Zimbabwe regime, particularly under the leadership of Robert Mugabe.

– CAJ News

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