ZIMBABWE: Quiet diplomacy replaced with a more direct approach
HARARE, 31 August 2009 (IRIN): “Quiet diplomacy”, the mantra used by former South African president Thabo Mbeki in his dealings with Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe, appears to have fallen by the wayside and been replaced with a more no-nonsense approach.
The two-day visit on 27 and 28 August by the new South African President Jacob Zuma to his countrys troubled northern neighbour was characterized by a marked difference in style.
Mbeki, appointed as mediator by the Southern African Development Community (SADC) to resolve Zimbabwes economic and political crisis, was seen by analysts as indulging (føjelig overfor) Mugabe; Zuma was more direct.
After opening Zimbabwes 99th agricultural show in the capital, Harare, Zuma dismissed statements ahead of his visit by Mugabes spokesman, George Charamba, that his presence was only ceremonial. Mbeki was not part of the visit.
– I visited Zimbabwe in my capacity as President of South Africa, as well as in my capacity as Chairperson of the Southern African Development Community, both of which are guarantors of the implementation of the Global Political Agreement (GPA), Zuma stressed.
The agreement was signed in September 2008 by Mugabes ZANU-PF, Morgan Tsvangirai, leader of the opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) and now Prime Minister, and Arthur Mutambara, leader of an MDC faction, which facilitated the formation of a unity government in February 2009.
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