WASHINGTON DC —
The Southern African Development Community (SADC) is skirting debate on the recently held Zimbabwe elections at its weekend summit in Lilongwe, Malawi.
Director of the Southern African Development Community’s Organ on Politics, Defence and Security, Lieutenant Colonel Tankie Mothae, has indicated that Zimbabwe’s elections are not part of the agenda for this year's SADC summit.
Mothae told a media briefing Wednesday that SADC is satisfied with their participation and involvement in the polls that saw incumbent president Robert Mugabe being re-elected president after edging out out-going Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai.
Mothae said, "We do not have anything on the agenda which will specifically tackle the issue of the polls recently held in Zimbabwe. What we will discuss will be what is on the general agenda and that is the general review of the political situation in the country,"
He said the general feeling within SADC is that there was a massive improvement in the way the July elections were held as compared to the 2008 polls.
Mr. Tsvangirai is challenging the election outcome saying the poll was rigged.
But SADC is coming under increasing pressure from the international community and non-governmental organizations to address the Zimbabwe situation.
Political analyst and International Crisis Group researcher, Trevor Maisiri said SADC’s move to shelve discussion on Zimbabwe was expected.
Director of the Southern African Development Community’s Organ on Politics, Defence and Security, Lieutenant Colonel Tankie Mothae, has indicated that Zimbabwe’s elections are not part of the agenda for this year's SADC summit.
Mothae told a media briefing Wednesday that SADC is satisfied with their participation and involvement in the polls that saw incumbent president Robert Mugabe being re-elected president after edging out out-going Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai.
Mothae said, "We do not have anything on the agenda which will specifically tackle the issue of the polls recently held in Zimbabwe. What we will discuss will be what is on the general agenda and that is the general review of the political situation in the country,"
He said the general feeling within SADC is that there was a massive improvement in the way the July elections were held as compared to the 2008 polls.
Mr. Tsvangirai is challenging the election outcome saying the poll was rigged.
But SADC is coming under increasing pressure from the international community and non-governmental organizations to address the Zimbabwe situation.
Political analyst and International Crisis Group researcher, Trevor Maisiri said SADC’s move to shelve discussion on Zimbabwe was expected.