ACDP Leader calls on SA President to stop defending Mugabe

Dr K R Meshoe MP – ACDP

Wednesday, 25 September 2002


In Parliament today African Christian Democratic Party leader Dr. Kenneth Meshoe gave the following Notice of Motion calling on President Mbeki to reverse his decision concerning defending Zimbabwe’s position in the Commonwealth:

That the House:

Notes with shock that President Mbeki and the Nigerian President Obasanjo decided to defend and protect Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe when it was proposed that Zimbabwe be expelled from the Commonwealth for causing pain and suffering in that country.

Further notes that giving Mr Mugabe yet another six months is endorsing his unacceptable behaviour and allowing him and his supporters to continue undermining the rule of law and perpetuating the suffering that is already experienced by many innocent people there.

Believes that President Mbeki’s refusal to endorse Zimbabwe’s expulsion condones the actions of a regime that conducts a systematic reign of terror and also puts Nepad at risk.

Fails to understand why the two African Presidents would believe that a man who undermines the Commonwealth and democratic principles like Mr Mugabe can restore democracy in his country.

Agrees with comments by the Editor of The Citizen who said that, “if Mbeki and Obasanjo cannot be relied upon to uphold human rights in the Commonwealth, they are unlikely to do so in the African Union.”

Therefore calls on the two African Presidents to reverse their decision and allow the defiant Zimbabwean President to be disciplined for the sake of Nepad, good governance in Africa and their image as leaders who believe in the rule of law.


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For further comment please call Dr Kenneth Meshoe at (021) 403 3521 or ACDP Media Liaison Liza Bloemetje at 082 4781037