Zimbabwe Economic Recovery Plan

BuaNews—Southern African heads of state have mandated their countries’ finance ministers to draft an economic recovery plan for Zimbabwe, in tandem with that country’s government.

At the conclusion of the Southern African Development Community’s (SADC) 27 Summit, the leaders issued a communiqué which amongst others stated: “(The) Summit took note of the Report of the Executive Secretary on the economic situation in Zimbabwe and mandated the SADC Ministers responsible for Finance to use the Report of the Executive Secretary in consultations with the Government of Zimbabwe and draw up an economic plan to support Zimbabwe.”

Executive Secretary of the SADC Secretariat, Tomaz Salomao had been compiling a report for some months on Zimbabwe’s ailing economy, and presented this document, including a proposed turnaround plan, to the Summit.

SADC is composed of 14 countries namely, Angola, Botswana, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Madagascar, Mauritius, Namibia, Tanzania, Swaziland, South Africa, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

The 27th SADC Heads of State and Government opened in Lusaka earlier this week, after a series of meetings by the Council of Ministers and Committees of senior officials from the SADC countries.

The Summit was briefed that the negotiations between Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front (ZANU-PF) and both factions of the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) were progressing smoothly.

Morgan Tsvangirai, leads the MDC’s anti-Senate faction while Arthur Mutambara, leads the MDC’s pro-Senate faction

The leaders at the summit commended South African President Thabo Mbeki, who has been mandated to facilitate the talks between the ruling party and opposition in his country’s northern neighbour.

In addition, the Summit welcomed the progress made in this regard and “encouraged the parties to expedite the process of negotiations and conclude work as soon as possible so that the next elections are held in an atmosphere of peace allowing the people of Zimbabwe to elect the leaders of their choice in an atmosphere of peace and tranquillity.”

President Mbeki received further accolades from the regional body, by being elected as its deputy chair. The new chair of the SADC is Zambian President Levi Mwanawasa.

The summit also elected Angolan President Jose Eduardo dos Santos, and King Mswati III of the Kingdom of Swaziland as Chairperson and Deputy Chairperson of SADC Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation respectively.

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