After a Meeting that lasted all day and literally until the dawn of the following morning, the Southern African Development Council (SADC) could not make a decision regarding the future of Zimbabwe. After all, it has been 15 days and counting since the country held its elections. And although the seating of the parliament is basically set at this point, other events have been taking place that have activist groups concerned. 

 If this is not a crisis as President Mbeki and his supporters claim, then what is going on in Zimbabwe? Scott MorganThere is a concerted effort by ZANU-PF (Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front) to consolidate its power in the country. In recent days the government has banned all political demonstrations and has deployed riot police in the capital city of Harare. Also, "war veterans" have invaded over 100 Farms in the last week. One of the key factors in the collapse of Zimbabwe has been the timing of the controversial land reform program earlier this decade that has left acres of productive farmland untouched. 

However, this does not mean that President Mugabe is totally isolated by the region. Before the summit commenced, South African President Thabo Mbeki stopped in Harare to talk with President Mugabe. Contrast this to the actions of the opposition candidate Morgan Tsvangiari: Mr. Tsvangiari actually went to Lusaka to plead his case that he had won the presidential election. 

While in Harare President Mbeki stated that there was no crisis in Zimbabwe. In the eyes of many critics this has been seen as an attempt to shield Mugabe from international scrutiny. Some of the most vocal criticism regarding the mediation efforts of President Mbeki has not come from the Zimbabwe Opposition but within South Africa itself. A delegation from the opposition parties went to New York and the U.N. Headquarters to urge the U.N. Security Council to address the plight of Zimbabwe. For this month South Africa has the rotating presidency of that body and the South African delegation deemed it unnecessary for action to be taken at this time. 

The action taken by SADC was widely heralded by the many people growing concerned with the volatile situation in Zimbabwe. The current chair of SADC President Mwanawasa of Zambia stated that "It would be wrong to turn a Blind Eye" to the ongoing situation in the country. The idea of the summit was not to place President Mugabe in the dock but to have a meeting with both parties and hopefully to reach a mutually acceptable solution. President Mugabe did not attend the emergency summit as his government continues to claim there is no crisis. 

What was achieved at the summit?

After a long day of consultations it was decided that the neighbors of Zimbabwe wanted the results of the elections announced in a speedy fashion. There have been rumors that the full results will be released on April 15 but state media announced on the 13 that there will be further recounts in 23 constituencies. Is this another tactic by a Government Hell-Bent on remaining in power? It appears so.

Mugabe is banking on his neighbors and the rest of the world giving a blink and a nod to these elections as has been the case in the past. Scott MorganMugabe is banking on his neighbors and the rest of the world giving a blink and a nod to these elections as has been the case in the past. The most stringent action taken by western governments has been the imposing of economic sanctions against selected members of ZANU-PF and their immediate families. Though they have been lightly effective, they are little more than a nuiscance, not a punishment. The British Prime Minister Gordon Brown has stated that he is appalled at the situation within Zimbabwe. The United States has called upon Zimbabwe to release the poll results and allow for the restoration of freedom of expression, a right long ago removed.

The longer the impasse remains, the greater the chance for regional instablilty grows. There was no quick solution offered at the summit in Zambia and Mugabe is consolidating power. South Africa is going to "mediate" even more in this crisis. The actions taken by SADC can be interpeted as the situation in Zimbabwe begins to have regional implications as well. But if this is not a crisis as President Mbeki and his supporters claim, then what is going on in Zimbabwe?  

The author publishes Confused Eagle on the Internet. It can be found at morganrights.tripod.com