Sarkozy hails Zimbabwe mediation
Bathandwa Mbola
28 July 2008
French President Nicolas Sarkozy called President Thabo Mbeki efforts to bring together the two Zimbabwean political leaders for peace talks as "bold and courageous", and appealed to the international community to support the mediation efforts.
"We wholehearted support the courageous mediation by President Mbeki and back the idea to give him more time," Sarkozy said following the European Union/South Africa Summit held in the French city of Bordeaux over the weekend.
European Union support
Sarkozy, whose nation currently holds the rotating European Union (EU) presidency, said Mbeki would continue to get support from the EU in his mediation efforts.
Both presidents expressed their concern at the prevailing situation in Zimbabwe and its negative impact on the sub-region in a joint-statement released at the end of the summit.
Sarkozy said while he had plans to speak to Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe, the EU had no intention to interfere in the mediation of a negotiated solution to Zimbabwe's political crisis.
One of the summit's resolutions was that a government of national unity be formed, overriding an earlier decision by the EU that a transitional government be established in Zimbabwe.
The EU further called on the Zimbabwean parties to act with urgency and cooperate in good faith towards the successful conclusion of the negotiations.
SADC-backed mediation
Mbeki was mandated by the 14-member Southern African Development Community (SADC) last March to mediate between Zimbabwe's rival parties.
Under Mbeki's mediation efforts, the two parties signed a memorandum of understanding in Harare last week, where they agreed to commit themselves to a dialogue, and have since started formal talks in a secret place in Pretoria.
The talks are aimed at finding a lasting solution to the country's problems, such as those discussed between African leaders at the African Union (AU) Summit in Eqypt.
"The talks are proceeding well," said South African presidential spokesperson Mukoni Ratshitanga. "They'll aim to be concluded in two weeks time."
Source: BuaNews
