** Visit AAM's new website! http://www.africanassociation.org **

----------------------  Forwarded Message:  ---------------------
From:    "Ossia, Felix" <[log in to unmask]>
To:      <[log in to unmask]>
Subject: Zimbabwe Tears Obasanjo, Mbeki Apart
Date:    Mon, 12 Jan 2004 17:02:17 -0600

Sunday, January 11, 2004
Zimbabwe Tears Obasanjo, Mbeki Apart
FROM LAOLU AKANDE (NEW YORK)
THERE is growing concern among African diplomats across the globe on the seeming
cold relationships developing between President Olusegun
Obasanjo and his South African counterpart Thabo Mbeki over the fate of Zimbabwe
after the last Commonwealth summit held in Abuja, last month.
Specifically, there is worry in diplomatic circles about the fate of such
African initiatives like NEPAD if there is no quick reconciliation between the
two African leaders.
Certain international organisations like the United Nations are believed to be
also concerned that the cooperation between Obasanjo and Mbeki should be
preserved for the larger interests of Africa in international relations after
the incident in Abuja where the Commonwealth extended Zimbabwe's suspension.
Soon after the controversial decision was taken in Abuja, President Robert
Mugabe of Zimbabwe gave notice that his country would be pulling out of the
Commonwealth.
The Guardian sources close to African diplomats in Washington DC and across
Western capitals pointed to Nigeria's recent decision to welcome farmers from
Zimbabwe.
The diplomats worry that the move may worsen the situation especially as
countries in the Southern African region are said to be concerned that Nigeria
should not be seen to be working against the larger interests of another African
country.
Early last week, the Federal Government disclosed that it would welcome
migrating white farmers from Zimbabwe after the fallout from that country's
controversial land reform programmes.
Although Nigeria is said to be viewing the migration as purely a foreign
investment opportunity, diplomats are said to be apprehensive that the move
could clearly break African solidarity and portray Nigeria as backing Western
countries against another African country.
The continued suspension of Zimbabwe, which was effected at the last
Commonwealth summit, according to observers, has a lot to do with the
controversy over President Mugabe's land reforms.
President Mbeki, among other African leaders from Southern Africa, stoutly
opposed the extension of Zimbabwe's suspension. Mozambique's President
Joaquim Chissano also reportedly denounced the decision as undemocratic.
But President Obasanjo was believed to have supported the decision, said not to
have gone down well with Mbeki, Chissano and other leaders of the Southern
African Development Community, (SADC).
The SADC, according to sources, would be meeting soon to take a position on the
suspension of Zimbabwe and feelers are that SADC's resolution could favour
Zimbabwe, a move that could further break the ranks of Africa internationally.
Already, SADC leaders reportedly jointly agreed to a statement credited to Mbeki
after the Abuja summit, disagreeing with the decision. And reports indicate that
Obasanjo had told Mbeki not to issue the statement on Nigerian soil after the
decision to extend Zimbabwe's suspension.
Obasanjo, who diplomats say, regarded the hosting of the Commonwealth as a big
deal, was reportedly embarrassed by Mbeki's posture at the summit.
The President and Mbeki had been known in the past to be in search of ways to
resolve the Zimbabwean impasse in a way that would restore the country's
Commonwealth membership.
But diplomats alleged that to the chagrin of several African leaders, Obasanjo
caved in to pressure from Western leaders at the Abuja summit.
While the President felt disconcerted by Mbeki's attitude, diplomats and reports
indicate that Mbeki was of the view that Obasanjo did not support him to allow
for enough time to debate the issue, a development that was said to have irked
the South African President.
Obasanjo's eventual "capitulation," according to a source, has worsened the fate
of Mbeki in the region. Mbeki has been under criticism by a section of the South
African media for his "policy of quiet diplomacy on Zimbabwe."
Only last Thursday, Business Day reported that Zimbabwe's humanitarian and
economic woes "is a clear indication that the fallout has had a major effect on
South Africa's business sector."
No sooner after the Commonwealth summit extended Zimbabwe's suspension, a
displeased Mbeki back in South Africa, stated some of his concern over the
suspension.
In an article published in ANC Today, Mbeki noted that John Howard, the Prime
Minister of Australia, and chair of the troika appointed at the previous
Commonwealth summit in Coolum,
Australia, to resolve the Zimbabwe crisis, had no mandate to call an unscheduled
meeting to impose new sanctions on Zimbabwe half way through its one-year
suspension.
Mbeki equally criticised the Commonwealth Secretary-General, Don
McKinnon for not explaining what he meant by the "broadly held view" of member
States when extending the suspension of Zimbabwe.
He argued that the
Zimbabwe government was not given a chance to respond to the report of the
Commonwealth election observer team.
Even Archbishop Desmond Tutu is reportedly opposed to Mbeki's policy of
"constructive engagement" towards Zimbabwe and his attendant effort towards
accommodating Mugabe.
Commenting on Mbeki's opposition to the decision to extend Zimbabwe's
suspension, a columnist of the Harare Independent noted: "As Tutu asks, why
should Mbeki question a democratic majority? And as Obasanjo has pointed out,
Mbeki should understand that not everybody in a club of 54 can have their way."
And while Mbeki is under the ire of Western media, Obasanjo has been basking in
positive international reporting over the Zimbabwe matter.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------
To unsubscribe/subscribe or view archives of postings, visit:

        http://maelstrom.stjohns.edu/archives/aam.html

AAM Website:  http://www.africanassociation.org
----------------------------------------------------------------------------