SADC Organ Troika Meets Over Tensions in Zimbabwe, Reports Mugabe Meeting Army Face to Face

President Jacob Zuma, in his capacity as chair of the Southern African Development Community (SADC), has called an urgent Organ Troika meeting to discuss the unfolding political and security situation in Zimbabwe.

The meeting will be held at the SADC Secretariat headquarters in Gaborone, Botswana, on Thursday afternoon, SADC said on Wednesday.

Meanwhile journalist Trevor Ncube reports that face-to-face negotiations between President Robert Mugabe and the military are to take place in the Statehouse. A motorcade has been seen leaving Mugabe’s ‘Blue Roof’ residence and heading to the Munhumutapa Building where President Mugabe’s offices are located.

He says the Military wants former Deputy President Emmerson Mnangagwa reinstated in the ZanuPF party and government.

Ncube reports that President Mugabe insists he is the legitimate head of state and the military must first concede their actions are illegal. Father Fidelis Mukonori, who is allegedly close to President Mugabe, has been central to negotiations between him and the army according to Ncube.

The SADC meeting will be attended by the Ministers responsible for Foreign or External Affairs from the SADC Organ Troika member states including Angola, Tanzania and Zambia, plus the SADC Council chairperson, Maite Nkoana-Mashabane, who is also the South African Minister of International Relations and Cooperation.

Earlier on Wednesday, President Zuma, on behalf of SADC, issued a statement expressing SADC’s grave concern over the political situation and urged both the Zimbabwean government and the military to resolve the political crisis amicably.

He also dispatched the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans, Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula and Minister of State Security, Bongani Bongo to Harare, to hold discussions with the military and Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe, who was reportedly confined to his home.

President Mugabe fired his deputy Mnangagwa last week, which led to Zimbabwe’s army commander General Constantine Chiwenga declaring that the military will “step in” if the revolution is under threat.

The African Union has called on stakeholders in Zimbabwe to address the current political impasse in accordance with that country’s constitution.

In a statement on Wednesday, AU Commission chairperson Moussa Faki Mahamat said the AU was closely monitoring developments in Zimbabwe.

“I urge all stakeholders to address the current situation in accordance with the constitution of Zimbabwe and the relevant instruments of the African Union, including the African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance,” Mahamat said.

He said the situation should be resolved in a manner that promotes democracy, human rights and socio-economic development of the country.

The AU has expressed its commitment to working closely with SADC and the leaders of the region, and to support their efforts.

At lunch on Thursday it was reported that the AU head says it will NEVER accept a coup.

Sources: SAnews.gov.za, Twitter/Trevor Ncube