Lusaka prepares for SADC heads of state summit

HUMPHREY NKONDE
Correspondent | Tuesday July 31, 2007 00:00

 

Last March, Zambia's Foreign Affairs Minister Mundia Sikatana told SADC executive secretary Thomaz Salomao in Lusaka that when Zambia assumes the chairmanship of the regional grouping, Zimbabwe will be placed at the top of the agenda.

As a result of the economic and political crises in their country, millions of Zimbabweans have been flocking to Botswana, South Africa, Namibia and Zambia in search of jobs and better living. The exodus has compounded the already existing immigration problems in the affected states. Repatriation of illegal immigrants from Zimbabwe is a daily exercise in the countries affected. Zimbabwe, which was once one of Africa's most flourishing economies, is experiencing a 4,500 percent inflation rate, the highest in the world.

President Robert Mugabe recently admitted that the situation in his country was unhealthy, hence his government's decision to order a price cut on all consumer goods, including maize meal. He accused some local traders of hiking prices in collusion with the West's attempt to effect a regime change in Zimbabwe.

Despite external and internal pressure, South African President Thabo Mbeki, who was recently tasked by SADC to mediate between ZANU-PF and the opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC), has adopted a non-interventionist stance regarding problems in Zimbabwe.

In spite of this 'quiet diplomacy', there are clear signs that South Africa is facing problems in relation to the situation in Zimbabwe. Analysts in Lusaka believe initiatives proposed by foreign minister Sikatana and President Levy Mwanawasa, who recently described Zimbabwe as a 'sinking Titan', will keep the crises in Zimbabwe high on the agenda of the SADC Summit.

Another likely agenda item is the FIFA Soccer Word Cup - and business spin-offs for the region - to be hosted by South Africa in 2010. (Sila Press Agency)