Paul Nyathi|After posting an encouraging Twitter post indicating that his organisation was intervening in the crisis in Zimbabwe and DRC, the SADC Chairman and Namibian President Dr. Hage G. Geingob has issued a shockingly one sided statement on the crisis in Zimbabwe as the official SADC position.

The regional bloc on whose shoulders Zimbabweans rested any opportunities to address the economic and political crisis in the country turned out to be accepting word for word President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s continued rumbling on the situation prevailing in the country.

Below is the official statement issued by SADC:

The Consultative Meeting of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Heads of State and Government, held on 09 February 2019, received a briefing from His Excellency, Mr. Emmerson Mnangagwa, President of the Republic of Zimbabwe, on the current political and socio-economic developments in the country.

The SADC Heads of State and Government noted that since coming to power, the new Government of Zimbabwe has continued with concerted efforts to address socioeconomic challenges and transform the economy, particularly through the Zimbabwe Transitional Stabilization Programme (2018-2020), and to consolidate unity and peace in the country. This, notwithstanding, some internal groups, in particular NGOs, supported by external forces, have continued with efforts to destabilise the country. The SADC Heads of State and Government also noted that in an effort to address the economic challenges in the country, the Government recently increased fuel prices. Unfortunately, violent demonstrators rode on the back of increases in fuel prices, to implement their intention to destabilise the country. The demonstrations resulted in the destruction of property and loss of life. SADC condemns, in the strongest terms, the violence that ensued, and expresses sympathy with the affected families for the loss of their loved ones and their properties.

The SADC Heads of State and Government further noted that the Government’s efforts to transform the economy and bring about prosperity to the people of Zimbabwe are negatively affected by the illegal sanctions that were imposed on the country since the early 2000. SADC expresses its solidarity with the Government and the people of the Republic of Zimbabwe, and calls upon the international community to unconditionally lift all sanctions imposed on the country.

The SADC Heads of State and Government also noted that the Government has commenced dialogue with all stakeholders in the country with a view to strengthening economic transformation, and calls upon all stakeholders to support the process.

Dr. Hage G. Geingob

President of the Republic of Namibia, and Chairperson of SADC

11 February 2019