HARARE – Only four of the 15 SADC heads of state will attend an extraordinary summit of the bloc in Harare on Wednesday in what a former foreign minister is calling a snub for host President Emmerson Mnangagwa.
Democratic Republic of Congo leader Felix Tshisekedi and Mozambican President Filipe Nyusi – whose countries are on the agenda – confirmed attendance and so did incoming SADC chair, Madagascar leader Andry Nirina Rajoelina.
Botswana’s new President Duma Gideon Boko will also attend, his first SADC summit since winning the October 30 vote.
Other countries have sent their foreign ministers or deputy presidents.
Zimbabwe’s former foreign minister Walter Mzembi said the decision of so many leaders to stay away was a message to Mnangagwa.
Mzembi said: “There is a salient message being communicated to Zimbabwe’s chairmanship of SADC by heads of state in the region, and clearly reflected in the attendance list to the extraordinary summit which has reduced it to a council of ministers meeting, and it is that they are ‘sovereigns’, and that Zimbabwe is not a prefect as chairman.
“They also seemingly are displeased with the downgrading of the agenda which is side-stepping the Mozambique election crisis in which the chairperson and Zimbabwe itself is clearly conflicted. ‘Sort out your mess Mr Chairman’ is the succinct message.”
Weeks of violent protests have marked the outcome of the disputed October 9 presidential elections in Mozambique, which saw ruling party Frelimo candidate Daniel Chapo emerge the winner amid widespread allegations of fraud. Frelimo has been in power since 1975.
Multiple news reports indicate that violent and repressive measures were used by security forces against protesters who were taking part in peaceful demonstrations which continued until November 7, causing at least 35 deaths – including a child – and injuring over 200.
At least 300 protesters have also been arrested in connection with the demonstrations.
Mnangagwa is a key ally of outgoing president Nyusi and has met Chapo, who was allowed to campaign in Zimbabwe amid claims that some locals were given Mozambican IDs to vote in the election.
This alleged interference in Mozambique’s domestic affairs has rendered Mnangagwa a compromised arbiter, according to Mzembi.
“The sum total is that the SADC Extraordinary Summit has been snubbed,” he said. “Regional leaders are saying (to Mnangagwa) please fix a few issues starting with non-interference in the internal affairs of member states.”
As well as tackling the post-election crisis in Mozambique, SADC is set to commit to extend the deployment of a peace keeping force in eastern DRC.
SADC executive secretary Elias Magosi said the regional force’s deployment in the DRC “remains a critical deterrent against hostile armed forces to safeguard DRC’s territorial integrity.”
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