Africa : Zimbabwe, DRC discussions going on behind closed doors

By Michael Appel

Johannesburg - President Kgalema Motlanthe and SADC leaders including Zimbabwe's President Robert Mugabe and DRC President Joseph Kabila are locked in discussions trying to find lasting solutions to problems in those countries.

The Extra-Ordinary Southern African Development Community (SADC) Summit was called to deal with the challenges of instability and humanitarian catastrophe in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Zimbabwe.

President Mugabe and the two leaders of the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) factions Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai and Deputy Prime Minister Arthur Mutambara have been unable to reach agreement on the delegation of government portfolios.

"The historic power-sharing agreement signed on 15 September [2008] remains the only vehicle to help extricate Zimbabwe from her socio-economic challenges.

"It is however disappointing that it is two months since the signing of the agreement and the parties have not yet been able to conclude discussions on the formation of an inclusive government," said President Motlanthe, speaking earlier on Sunday at the opening ceremony of the summit.

The political leadership of Zimbabwe owe it to the people of Zimbabwe and the region to show political maturity and reach agreement in a speedy manner, said President Motlanthe.

One of the outstanding issues hampering the formation of a unity government in Zimbabwe is the government portfolio of Home Affairs.

Despite numerous interventions by the African Union (AU), SADC and attempts by former President and facilitator in Zimbabwe, Thabo Mbeki, to bring about a solution to the challenges, nothing has so far failed to end the political impasse.

The problems in the eastern region of the DRC relates to the ignition of attacks by rebel General Laurent Nkunda against the forces of the DRC government.

Civilians have been the greatest affected in the conflict and hundreds of thousands of people have been displaced.

The Goma Agreement, signed in 2008 by the Congolese government and 22 armed groups introduced an immediate ceasefire and observance of international human rights law, but infrequent skirmishes have spread into more regular attacks on villages and towns by General Nkunda.

"We firmly believe that there is no military solution to the problem.

"We call for the full implementation of both the Nairobi communiqué and Goma agreement as well as the Amani processes.

"These processes are a basis for a sustainable solution to the problems of the eastern part of the DRC," said the President.

An announcement to the media on resolutions taken at the summit is expected later today. - BuaNews