Press Statement

PRESS

STATEMENT

SOUTHERN AFRICA IS POLITICAL HOT-SPOT

NOW:

With the Zimbabwe crisis cooling off, due to the just concluded but doubtful “Power Sharing Deal”. The death of the President of Zambia Dr. Levi Mwanawasa, the incursion in the DRC under the youthful Joseph Kabila, the SADC neighbour, Kenya which is recuperating from the political turmoil, the current bombings of buildings and bridges of the Kingdom of Swaziland, the leadership crisis in the Mountain Kingdom of Lesotho, the current wrangle of impeachment attempt of the UDF against their own breakaway President to form his own party in Malawi and lead the government of Malawi Dr Bingu wa Mutharika and the latest return of Bakili Muluzi to contest election, the hate political speech and tribal

political party formations in Namibia, topping up with the unexpected axing of President Thabo Mbeki of South Africa before his term expires---is the beginning of an ERA in the Southern African Region which is to turn the region into turmoil Ever since the end of wars in Angola and Mocambique, SADC has been in peace, the only struggle has been on how to rebuild the two war torn states (former Portuguese colonies), the alleviation of poverty and the suffering of the Region’s over 300 million inhabitants. But after the deposition of Mobutu Sese Seko, the retirement of Nelson Mandela and the emerging of youthful leaders who were supposed to offer hope and a brighter future for Southern Africa, the Region is prone to be a war zone very soon. All these are happening on top of the prevailing poverty datum of the 300 million people who have no basic necessities and the political masquerading is taking centre stage which is to plunge the region into a haven of anarchy. The love and Oneness that was amongst African people in the Region seems to have dried up because of politics. The keenness and intellectual thinking that could lead the Region into a brighter future is reaching the no-where destination. All allies, comrades, partners, friends and colleagues

have turned against each other now and are nakedly insulting one another with instigations of violence and anarchy. No one trusts the other anymore. The focus that was supposed to be fundamental on uniformly sourcing and soliciting ways on how to develop the region’s people, infrastructure development and the living conditions of the people has taken a turn around; Politics has stolen the whole attention of our leaders who are bestowed to rift the lantern of hope in the Region. Life has reached a stage where, each and every African must stop and think as to where our region is heading to. No one wants to compromise, nobody wants to fail, and every one wants to look good, even if they have visibly failed. This is the trend that our continent is in now. Kenyans who have lived together for decades started fighting, pointing fingers at each other tribalising one another as Kikuyus, Kalenjins and Luos. They have failed to live together because of politics. Twenty years ago it was the same in Zimbabwe, Ndebeles could not drink with the Shonas from one cup. Recent events have deepened to the point where Zimbabweans are fighting each other this

time around a Shona against a Shona, after the Ndebeles were silenced. In DRC the vast country with different ethnic groups who have embroidered and lived together in the beautiful nation can no longer sit side by side, instead, they have chosen a gun to be their decider. While leaders who were supposed to take the region into a new dimension of hope are VERY few; God is taking the very small number untimely before they can finish their duty Dr Levi Mwanawasa is the Region’s Quest for tears. The Dlaminis in the kingdom of Swaziland are out in anger against their cousins the Masekos and vice versa. The Bataus in the mountain Kingdom of Lesotho are up in arms against the Bakwenas, Batsoenengs, Batlous and others in the same land where Moshoeshoe kept them as one family. In Malawi birds which were of the same feathers in UDF are a cat and mouse, former President Bakili Muluzi and current leader Bingu wa Mutharika are poisonous enemies, each of them wishes the other deadly sentiments. No wonder this one wants to keep on ruling so that he can show the other with revenge and the other wants to come back for vengeance sake.

The country Namibia whose people suffered heavily both in and outside, and whose precious blood today waters their freedom are out on a rampage with hate speeches against themselves and the country is torn apart with the emergence of tribal political parties. Too much political ‘hate speeches and violent exclamations’ are leveled against the very same people of the brave land Namibia. Though there is no direct tribal pointing fingers but the heat can be felt in the society. Each and every tribe has their political party - a sign of danger for the future generation that might tear Namibia apart - if not addressed promptly. Today the very same ideology has pushed a Leader from the huge economy to resign before his term expires in seven months. There are talks of breakaway factions, who want to form ANC “B” just as is the case in Zimbabwe where there are two MDC factions. Where is our region heading to?? When people who commands respect and have dignity to rule fight each other like this- where do the poor in habitants go to seek for political shelter?? It is because of the above events that prompt the Forum For the Future of Africa to write down this statement to appeal for peace in the region.

We call upon the people from Kenya to exercise their utmost humility in making sure that the “Power Sharing Deal” that was signed, really works and heals the wounds that bled due to the violence that erupted and to call upon the Government of both Powers to institute the Truth and Reconciliation Commission in Kenya to resettle, heal, compensate the victims who died, injured, displaced, lost and were refugees to heal their pains. It is the same call in the SADC Region for Zimbabwe to “mean” what they signed for, this is the time for political brains to stop politicking on the people, by starting to preach and practice the same. We must stop practicing the un-preached philosophies on the people. The Zimbabwe situation needs unbiased commitment by the “Deal Parties” in order to give hope to the Zimbabwean population which is silently suffering in the country, and those that have been reduced to destitution across their borders. A truth and Reconciliation Commission must also be set up to introduce True Forgiveness and National Healing. It is also our appeal to the Peace Deal Signers to stop propaganda politics that signals “mindset change” at national level. If you did put down your signature, you accepted to respect each other, Don’t let this “Deal” fail you and neither the country please?

We also call upon the big Gurus of Malawi in both Dr Bakili Muluzi and Dr Bingu wa Mutharika to exercise leadership qualities by distinguishing that these Two men once sat together and walked together, they can do it again. “The prophetic words defines experience as a correction of a mistake.” You can do better for your country if you set aside your differences and focus on the future of Malawi. It is also our appeal to the mother of all parties in Namibia (SWAPO) to slow down on their hate speech by some members of their party against other splinter and tribal groups. Let them take an example of Botswana in 1994. In Botswana prior to 1994 elections the ruling party was on the verge of losing elections to the opposition BNF of Kenneth Koma, but the wise leadership of BDP, Sir Ketumire Masire summoned consultants to assess the situation on why the ruling party had dwindling support, the South African company told them in blatant words that “The people of Botswana had enough of the leadership for eighteen years and that they wanted youthful leaders with new ideas, there was negligency against part of some minority tribes and if they addressed these problems BDP would emerge Victorious and truly BDP have enjoyed

majority support ever since then. It is our advice to the ruling party of Swapo to do the same in order to assess its weakness and to find out why there is an emerging tribal political groupings within one society of Namibia. Namibian history is a painful one, there is a need to seriously look into the reasons that angers and makes people to feel neglected. For instance the issue of Caprivi treason is another water in the pot, when it takes Ten years without being concluded, that makes the strongest party becoming weaker and weaker-it is high time a decision was taken to conclude the case in courts and or grant pardon to the culprits, the minority tribes and their dwelling areas must be accorded the same development as is accorded in the north of the country. Tarmac roads to Aminuis stretching to Mariental, Okakarara, Otjituuo to Rietfontein and Corridor and many more areas of Karas, Kunene, Hardap, Kavango and Caprivi are areas of importance to be addressed to scupper the growing trend of tribal political formations and this will give the ruling party a commanding majority for a very long time if properly addressed, to the extent the Botswana experience is more important than podium politics of hate speech and bickering. The axing of the incumbent President Thabo Mbeki in South Africa is another Region’s suicide on

political arrangements. Mr Mbeki’s term was seven months along the line. For whatever reasons the ruling party had to recall the president from the presidency was supposed to be calculated properly with the Country and the Region at heart, otherwise any other reason against his ousting will have serious consequences in the Region. SADC relies on South Africa in her trade and economy if South Africa tumbles the whole Region and Africa will fall. However it is our appeal to the ruling ANC to be a very steady party as it has been during the era of Oliver Tambo, Nelson Mandela and Walter Sisulu to see to it that the African National Congress is not divided and that the party never splits by respecting the outgoing president and offering him the package and allow him to play the role he has commenced on the hectic issues of Zimbabwe, Sudan, Nepad, and the African Union. We appeal to the leaders of the ANC to give Mr Mbeki that time to continue taking role of the Regional Integration and Continental unity. We accept and agree that, there may be mistakes on his part but who in life has never faltered? “To err is human” it is said and it is our appeal to the leadership of the ANC Mr Jacob Zuma not to take any revenge on Mr Mbeki for if “an eye for an eye” was the way of living in Africa “all of us could be blind”. Therefore Mr. Mbeki must be left to go and retire

while at the same time asked to be active in party and Government issues in order to save the interests of Africans who are afraid that the sudden shift of power may lead to economic meltdown or South Africa falling into the path of Zimbabwe. The Continent’s future do not lie on the political Heads alone it also lies with Traditional and Religious Leaders, it is our appeal to all of them to play a role on the continent’s political impulse that is heating the continent- purported to be the peaceful all along. This is the time for all NGOs, Churches, Royal Houses, Traditional Leaders, Chiefs, and other prominent members of the civil society to sit with caution and to come up with solutions before our Continent falls into battle ground of war. It is our responsibility and duty to call for peace and argue against the policies that threatens the peaceful coexistence of our continent. Fellow Africans, Regional Citizens and all Governments, let us take a precaution on what is going on in the continent and put our efforts together to stop the impending spill out of OUR peace and tranquility in Africa.

Every one must exercise his/her Right to see to it that anarchy and disobedience that breeds violence to wars are avoided and rejected. SADC with almost 300 million people is prone to rampant and Abject Poverty, with Diseases from HIV /AIDS, TB, cholera, malaria, Under Five Diseases, STD’s, Malnutrition of children and Antenatal deaths of Women and Hunger are KILLING the Continent. These are the major challenges that we could be focusing if our political landscape was stable but with this instability the Continent is in “Double Jeopardy”. We need to change our Mindset, and Focus too much of our plight on others before ourselves, which is the only remedy to Africa’s WORST woes. May Africa see change and embrace oneness as a way forward to progress and development.

Saunders Jumah Director Forum For The Future of Africa P.O.BOX 4656 WINDHOEK. Tel. +264 61 305168/303208 fax 303209 Emails: [email protected]

[email protected]. Mobile: +264812853697/855518244. GOING TOGETHER INTO THE FUTURE:

Mbeki’s sudden ouster; abrupt & premature - Mbeki’s removal came more quickly than people expected, - South Africans had been expecting a shift anyway from Mbeki to Zuma but not in an abrupt premature fashion. - Zuma who is said to have engineer Mbeki’s ouster leaves Mbeki with no choice but to resign, and leaves office before his second term of office expires next year. - Mbeki is forced to leave office even at the expense of current external affairs to which he is very integral as far as progress is concerned ie the Zimbabwe talks between Mugabe and Tsvangirayi which are a matter of life and death in Zimbabwe. - The move is very threatening not only to the South African economy but also to the whole Southern African region. - Mbeki’s sudden ouster has left a lot of South Africans and foreigners in South Africa insecure and uncertain on what kind of leadership they are going to experience. - Eversince Mbeki took power in 1999 after Mandela’s Mbeki followed a pro-business line and ensured a satisfactory economic growth. However nevertheless Mbeki was perceived to be an international affairs person rather than addressing the national problematic affairs like

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poverty, crime, zenophonia etc of which is part and parcel of the reason why Mbeki lost the ANC leadership election. Zuma has milaged politically on that foreign policy will take a backseat to domestic issues and promising to address the problems of SA ie poverty, unemployment and complained about time Mbeki spent on the world stage mediating and ending a number of African conflicts. But the question which rings in the minds of many South Africans, is Zuma really a statesman and will he be able to solve the South African problems seeing his background of almost effectual corruption charges which were withdrawn. What Zuma does not know is that laying foreign policy to the backseat affects South Africa one way or the other and that kind of a stance is blind and selfish. Mbeki’s departure risks a lot of progress which was taking place in a lot of conflictious countries in Africa. At least Africa and the whole world was about to celebrate a new era type of a leader who was not only going to be centralized in South Africa but a leader of Africa as a whole. In order for progress in Africa as a whole there is need for a leadership that will not middle

internal party politics at the expense of its own nation and Africa. - Can the ANC afford such abrupt, premature decisions without giving serious thought and time? - Can they afford to ouster such a leader with a current continental responsibility that is a matter of life and death. - At a time that the African continent is in political and economical tumoil.