Konare on EU-Africa Summit

John Kaninda (Business Day)- AFRICAN Union (AU) commission chairman Alpha Oumar Konare said that the upcoming European Union (EU)-Africa summit would be a measure of the bloc’s willingness to enter an “equitable and equal” partnership with the continent, regardless of Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe.

The prospect that Mugabe, widely accused of abusing human rights and suppressing political opposition, could attend an EU- Africa meeting in Lisbon next month has threatened to derail the gathering.

Africa’s insistence that Mugabe be invited was a matter of principle and not a sign of support for the Zimbabwean leader or his government, Konare said in his opening speech at the AU African Diaspora conference in Midrand on Friday.

“We will not let ourselves be bullied or pressurised regarding who (from Africa) should attend the summit or not. That is why we as Africans had insisted that everyone (including Mugabe) should be present. “

Konare said the “strength” of European delegations sent to Lisbon would provide a “clear indication” of whether the EU was willing to enter an “equitable and equal” partnership with the continent.

He said anything less than full participation would point at the bloc’s willingness to perpetuate the colonial “slave trade economy” of the past.

Since British Prime Minister Gordon Brown confirmed he would not be attending the talks due to Mugabe’s presence , observers said there was a strong chance that other EU countries would send “weakened” delegations.

“We will assess (the EU’s) commitment from the line-up of their delegations. If (delegations) are made up of high-ranking civil servants rather then leaders, then we know where we stand.”

Later Konare said that concentrating on Mugabe rather than on negotiating a fair and reciprocal EU-Africa partnership could derail the Southern African Development Community mediation in the Zimbabwe crisis, led by President Thabo Mbeki.

During his talk, Konare turned from the podium to face Mbeki and, speaking in French, said there was an “urgent need to help our brothers in Zimbabwe to solve their problems”.

“Some of our European partners should look at the progress made by Mbeki’s mediation. The ruling Zanu (PF) party and opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) have established dialogue, which should be encouraged.”

Konare said crucial talks between MDC and Zanu (PF) could break down should Mugabe miss the Lisbon gathering under the weight of European displeasure.

Konare said his comments did not mean that the AU member countries approved of Mugabe’s destructive policies but that the principle of open attendance be upheld.

“Each member of the AU has got its own opinion on Zimbabwe’s disastrous internal policies but the principle agreed upon is that they should attend the EU summit.”

Konare said that seven years had been “wasted” since the last EU-Africa summit in Cairo because of the Zimbabwe issue, but that in the meantime strategic agreements had been signed between China and Africa. “We are negotiating similar agreements with Japan and India, and Russia is also looking at Africa as an opportunity.

“So our European partners should look seriously at the December summit as an excellent opportunity to put things in motion (regarding an EU-Africa partnership).”

The summit is intended to focus on areas requiring closer co-operation between Europe and Africa, notably trade, migration and an energy partnership.

Mugabe , who sparked international outrage earlier this year when his police arrested and beat dozens of political opponents, became persona non grata in Europe after winning a 2002 election, described as rigged by international observers.

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