Publications
In a statement issued in Johannesburg on Sunday, Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo's press secretary described as "mischievous" reports that he and President Thabo Mbeki were at odds on the issue.
"President Obasanjo states categorically that his recent visits to South Africa and Zimbabwe have not in any way created any division in the views held by both Nigeria and South Africa on the situation in Zimbabwe," Tunji Oseni said.
Oseni's statement was headlined "Obsanjo, Mbeki still share common position on Zimbabwe".
"To suggest that President Obasanjo 'may want to see leadership change' in Zimbabwe is to indulge in an unhelpful and baseless speculation," Oseni said.
Asked in an interview with the London Sunday Times last week if Mugabe should quit, Obasanjo appeared to suggest that Mugabe should consider leaving office.
"It's entirely up to him, but obviously he knows he has to work for a succession," Obasanjo said. "I don't have to tell him, but if I say I am thinking about my succession that's an indication that I think he should think of his. In my part of the world, there are many ways you can tell a man to go to hell."
Regime change
Media reports in South Africa interpreted Obasanjo's statement as a sign of difference with Mbeki who has declined to publicly call for a regime change in Zimbabwe, preferring instead the route of "quiet diplomacy".
Both Mbeki and Obasanjo, both members of a special Commonwealth troika on Zimbabwe, have indicated they want Zimbabwe to be readmitted to the councils of the multi-lateral body when its one-year suspension lapses on Wednesday.
The chairman of the troika, Australian Prime Minister John Howard, wants the suspension extended.
Oseni said in his statement that Obasanjo stood by the position he expressed to Howard in a letter in February - that Zimbabwe's suspension should be allowed to lapse and the country readmitted to the Commonwealth's councils.
"President Obasanjo looks forward to a re-establishment of contact and re-engagement which will be beneficial to Zimbabwe and the Commonwealth," Oseni said.
The secretary-general of the 54-member Commonwealth, Don McKinnon, was due to have presented a report last week to the troika, detailing the views of the rest of the Commonwealth on the Zimbabwe issue.
