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Africa urged to act on Zimbabwe Africa urged to act on Zimbabwe
(30 minutes later)
The UN has urged African leaders at a key summit to work towards a negotiated solution to the crisis in Zimbabwe. The UN has urged African leaders at a key summit in Egypt to try to negotiate a solution to the crisis in Zimbabwe.
UN Deputy-Secretary General Asha-Rose Migiro told the African Union meeting this was the "moment of truth" for regional leaders on Zimbabwe. UN Deputy Secretary General Asha-Rose Migiro said this was the "moment of truth" for the African Union leaders.
President Robert Mugabe is attending the meeting in Sharm el-Sheikh. President Robert Mugabe is attending the meeting. He was sworn in on Sunday after a victory that observers said had been undermined by pre-poll violence.
Mr Mugabe, 84, was sworn in on Sunday after an election victory that observers said had been undermined by pre-poll violence. South Africa has now urged Mr Mugabe to hold talks with the opposition towards forming a transitional government.
Mr Mugabe claimed a landslide victory as the sole candidate after the leader of the opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC), Morgan Tsvangirai, withdrew.Mr Mugabe claimed a landslide victory as the sole candidate after the leader of the opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC), Morgan Tsvangirai, withdrew.
Draft resolutionDraft resolution
Ms Migiro told the leaders of the 53-nation bloc: "This is a moment of truth for regional leaders... the secretary-general urges [your] excellencies to mobilise support for a negotiated solution." Ms Migiro told the leaders of the 53-nation bloc: "This is a moment of truth for regional leaders... the secretary-general urges your excellencies to mobilise support for a negotiated solution."
She again expressed UN regret that the election had been allowed to go ahead despite the violence. She added: "This is the single greatest challenge to regional stability in southern Africa."
The two-day AU meeting was declared open by the current chairman, Tanzanian President Jakaya Kikwete. Ms Migiro again expressed UN regret that the election had been allowed to go ahead despite the violence.
It will be none of this summit's business to choose the titles for leaders Bernard Membe,Tanzanian Foreign Minister Zimbabwe: Possible scenariosInside Mugabe's mindSend us your comments The vote fell short of the African Union's standards of democratic elections African Union monitors Zimbabwe: Possible scenariosInside Mugabe's mindSend us your comments
In his welcoming speech, host President Hosni Mubarak said bolstering peace and security was "essential for resolving disputes and conflicts in the continent".In his welcoming speech, host President Hosni Mubarak said bolstering peace and security was "essential for resolving disputes and conflicts in the continent".
He added: "These disputes are the main challenge facing our continent at present. There is no development without peace and there's no progress without stability."
After the opening speeches, the bloc will begin closed-door talks, with Zimbabwe expected to be high on the agenda.After the opening speeches, the bloc will begin closed-door talks, with Zimbabwe expected to be high on the agenda.
The AU has a rule not to accept leaders who have not been democratically elected - but observers say it is unlikely to take such strong action against Mr Mugabe so quickly.The AU has a rule not to accept leaders who have not been democratically elected - but observers say it is unlikely to take such strong action against Mr Mugabe so quickly.
A draft resolution written by African foreign ministers during talks ahead of the summit did not criticise the elections or Mr Mugabe, but condemned violence in general terms and called for dialogue.

ZIMBABWE AND ITS NEIGHBOURS

ZIMBABWE AND ITS NEIGHBOURS

Zimbabwe's opposition wants neighbouring countries to persuadeRobert Mugabe to step down. So how are relations changing?Zimbabwe's opposition wants neighbouring countries to persuadeRobert Mugabe to step down. So how are relations changing?
South Africa's Thabo Mbeki is the key mediator. He has not criticisedRobert Mugabe, despite pressure from the ruling ANC.South Africa's Thabo Mbeki is the key mediator. He has not criticisedRobert Mugabe, despite pressure from the ruling ANC.
Zambian President Levy Mwanawasa has taken the toughest line. He'scalled Zimbabwe a "regional embarrassment".Zambian President Levy Mwanawasa has taken the toughest line. He'scalled Zimbabwe a "regional embarrassment".
Angola's President Jose Eduardo dos Santos is one of Robert Mugabe's closest allies. He has urged Mr Mugabe to end the violence.Angola's President Jose Eduardo dos Santos is one of Robert Mugabe's closest allies. He has urged Mr Mugabe to end the violence.
Botswana has summoned a Zimbabwean envoy to complain about theviolence. It has supported Zimbabwe's opposition.Botswana has summoned a Zimbabwean envoy to complain about theviolence. It has supported Zimbabwe's opposition.
Namibia is an ally of Robert Mugabe. It wants to re-distribute white-owned farms to black villagers. It has not criticised the violence.Namibia is an ally of Robert Mugabe. It wants to re-distribute white-owned farms to black villagers. It has not criticised the violence.
Mozambique has hosted some white farmers forced out of Zimbabwe when their land was seized. It is seen as sympathetic to the opposition.Mozambique has hosted some white farmers forced out of Zimbabwe when their land was seized. It is seen as sympathetic to the opposition.
Tanzania's ruling party has a history of backing Robert Mugabe'sZanu-PF party. Its foreign minister has condemned the violence.Tanzania's ruling party has a history of backing Robert Mugabe'sZanu-PF party. Its foreign minister has condemned the violence.
DR Congo's President Joseph Kabila is an ally of Robert Mugabe whosent troops to help his father, Laurent Kabila, fight rebels.DR Congo's President Joseph Kabila is an ally of Robert Mugabe whosent troops to help his father, Laurent Kabila, fight rebels.
Malawi is seen as neutral. But 3m people from Malawi are in Zimbabweand many were badly hit by the farm invasions.Malawi is seen as neutral. But 3m people from Malawi are in Zimbabweand many were badly hit by the farm invasions.
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"It will be none of this summit's business to choose the titles for leaders, it is the business of this summit to see what we are going to do for the suffering people and masses in Africa," Tanzanian Foreign Minister Bernard Membe said at an earlier media briefing, when asked if he would address Mr Mugabe as president.
A draft resolution written by African foreign ministers during talks ahead of the summit did not criticise the elections or Mr Mugabe, but condemned violence in general terms and called for dialogue.
Independent observers have criticised the poll.Independent observers have criticised the poll.
The head of a 400-person observer mission from the Southern African Development Community (Sadc), Angolan Sports Minister Jose Marcos Barrica, was quoted as saying: "The pre-election phase was characterised by politically-motivated violence, intimidation and displacements." The AU's own monitors said on Monday: "The vote fell short of the African Union's standards of democratic elections."
Another observer team, from the Pan-African Parliament, has called for fresh elections to be held, saying the vote was not free or fair. Earlier the Southern African Development Community (Sadc) observers said there was "politically-motivated violence, intimidation and displacements".
African leaders are expected to urge Mr Mugabe to enter into talks with Mr Tsvangirai, and engage in some sort of power-sharing agreement. The Pan-African Parliament called for fresh elections to be held, saying the vote was not free or fair.
South African President Thabo Mbeki, the regionally-appointed mediator for Zimbabwe, has called for a negotiated solution. On Monday South Africa's foreign ministry said Mr Mugabe's Zanu-PF party and the MDC "must enter into negotiations which will lead to the formation of a transitional government".
On Monday, the MDC called for an additional mediator to be appointed to work alongside Mr Mbeki. The MDC has previously criticised South Africa's role and on Monday called for an additional mediator to be appointed to work alongside President Thabo Mbeki.
On the eve of the summit, Zambian President Levy Mwanawasa was rushed to hospital in Sharm el-Sheikh suffering chest pains. Also on Monday, France's Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner said the election was a "farce" that it could not accept.
Mr Mwanawasa, who is said to be in a stable condition, has taken a tough line against Mr Mugabe's regime, calling the election undemocratic. The UK earlier said Mr Mugabe should not be recognised while the US called for new sanctions.
Separately, on the eve of the summit, Zambian President Levy Mwanawasa, one of Mr Mugabe's leading critics, was rushed to hospital in Sharm el-Sheikh suffering chest pains. He is said to be stable.
Spoilt ballotsSpoilt ballots
Mr Mugabe was sworn in during a quickly convened ceremony on Sunday, about an hour after the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission announced the results of the presidential election run-off.Mr Mugabe was sworn in during a quickly convened ceremony on Sunday, about an hour after the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission announced the results of the presidential election run-off.
Robert Mugabe attended the summit a day after being sworn in Robert Mugabe is sworn in as Zimbabwe's president
The commission said Mr Mugabe won 85.5% of the vote, but many ballots were spoiled.The commission said Mr Mugabe won 85.5% of the vote, but many ballots were spoiled.
In a speech that followed the swearing-in ceremony, Mr Mugabe said he was committed to talks with the opposition to find a solution to the political crisis.In a speech that followed the swearing-in ceremony, Mr Mugabe said he was committed to talks with the opposition to find a solution to the political crisis.
However, BBC Southern Africa correspondent Peter Biles says the opposition may reject any notion of a government of national unity in which Mr Mugabe is still in a key position.However, BBC Southern Africa correspondent Peter Biles says the opposition may reject any notion of a government of national unity in which Mr Mugabe is still in a key position.
The MDC said some 86 of its supporters were killed and 200,000 forced from their homes by militias loyal to the ruling Zanu-PF party in the weeks preceding the run-off.The MDC said some 86 of its supporters were killed and 200,000 forced from their homes by militias loyal to the ruling Zanu-PF party in the weeks preceding the run-off.
The government has blamed the MDC for the violence.The government has blamed the MDC for the violence.
Mr Mugabe has been in power since Zimbabwe gained independence from Britain in 1980.Mr Mugabe has been in power since Zimbabwe gained independence from Britain in 1980.
Are you in Zimbabwe? What do you think should happen now? Tell your experiences by using the form below. Let us know if you would prefer us not to use your real name.Are you in Zimbabwe? What do you think should happen now? Tell your experiences by using the form below. Let us know if you would prefer us not to use your real name.
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