Botswana Government to Take Stance on Zimbabwe After Tsvangirai’s Pull Out

The Botswana government has come close to suggesting cutting ties with Zimbabwe over the political turmoil believed to be perpetuated by supporters of President Robert Mugabe’s ZANU PF party.

In a statement issued on Monday, the government expressed its concerns over the potentially explosive situation in Zimbabwe.

In a radical departure from the silent diplomacy policy that has characterized the leaders of the Southern African Development Community (SADC), the Botswana government said it is poised to take a stance pertaining to the legitimacy of the Zimbabwean government after the leader of the opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) Morgan Tsvangirai announced that he will not contest the presidential run-off election.

Botswana’s stance comes amidst similar sentiments across the world. Some western countries including Zimbabwe’s former colonial masters Britain say they are ready to sponsor sanctions against Zimbabwe at the United Nations Security Council.

However, a statement from the Botswana foreign ministry adds that a decision will only be taken after the SADC observer mission has given a report.

The MDC leader cited pre-election violence as Mugabe’s supporters continue to unleash terror on opposition members as his motive for pulling out from the run-off.

Botswana’s opposition leader, Otsweletse Moupo also pointed a finger at the Mugabe government for failing to afford the people of Zimbabwe the right to freely elect their leaders.

Source African Press Agency

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