Quiet diplomacy on Zim 'dead'
2003-12-02 20:11
Johannesburg - Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo's decision to bar Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe from attending the Commonwealth Heads Of Government Meeting in Abuja is a major milestone, says Democratic Alliance leader Tony Leon.
Addressing the South African Institute of International Affairs on Tuesday, he said that, for the first time in the post-apartheid era, an African head of state would be refused entry to an international diplomatic meeting on African soil.
"It now seems there are deep cracks forming in the consensus among African states that has supported President Mugabe thus far.
"From here onwards, the momentum may continue to build in the direction of greater pressure on the Zimbabwean government," he said.
Mugabe had responded by threatening to take the "Verwoerd option" - withdrawing from the Commonwealth to avoid further sanctions, just as South Africa did during the apartheid era.
If he followed through with his threat, he would only take his country in the direction of greater sanctions, and expose himself to increasing pressure from African states.
Why quiet diplomacy had to fail
"Even South Africa may eventually have to turn away."
It had been clear for a long time that quiet diplomacy could not possibly succeed.
"The reason is simply this: that quiet diplomacy is not a strategy. It has no clear goals. Still less does it have any firm principles.
"Quiet diplomacy is just a diplomatic tool, useful in some situations but not in others. It is a means, not an end. That is why it had to fail," Leon said.
Leon repeated his call for a "road map to democracy in Zimbabwe".
"The opportunity is ripe for the international community, led by African states, to offer a clear alternative.
"The time has come for new, concrete proposals, promoted and implemented by African leaders, to restore hope to Zimbabwe.
"Any new approach must be firmly grounded in the emerging principles of diplomacy and governance in Africa," he said.
"It is with these principles in mind that we suggest a 'road map to democracy in Zimbabwe'.
"We believe this is the best of all the available options for dealing with the crisis in Zimbabwe under the present circumstances.
"We therefore hope that the 'road map to democracy in Zimbabwe' will be considered the African Union, approved, and implemented.
"The destination of our road map is clear: new, free and fair elections, and the restoration of democracy, human rights, stability and economic viability to Zimbabwe," Leon said.
- SAPA