Tanzania: SADC calls for a the lifting of all sanctions against Zimbabwe

On Wednesday 28th March, the Southern African Development Community (SADC) inter-governmental organisation held an Extra-ordinary Summit in Dar-es-Salaam in Tanzania. The summit was held to discuss the political, economic and security situations in SADC with special attention given to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Lesotho and Zimbabwe. The summit ended with a communiqué from SADC calling for the lifting of all sanctions against Zimbabwe and for Britain to honour its commitment to compensate its kith and kin.

The Extra-Ordinary Summit noted on Zimbabwe:
• That free, fair and democratic presidential election was held in 2002 in Zimbabwe.
• His Excellency President Thabo Mbeki will to continue to facilitate dialogue between the opposition and the government and report back to the troika on progress.
• Reiterated the appeal to Britain to honour its compensation obligations with regards to land reform made at the Lancaster House.
• Appealed for the lifting of all forms of sanctions against Zimbabwe.

The Extra-Ordinary Summit on DRC:
• Reaffirmed the sovereign rights of the DRC to have a single national army and urged all armed groups to integrate into the national army or to be demobilised.
• Reiterated that the rule of law in the DRC must be observed and respected by all parties in conformity with accepted international convention.
• Expressed concern and the loss of life and urged all parties to respect the sanctity on human lives and the principles of human rights.

The Extra-Ordinary Summit on Lesotho:
• Recalled that the Kingdom of Lesotho recently held successful, peaceful and democratic elections.
• Decided to send a SADC delegation at Ministerial level to go and assess the situation as requested by the political parties.