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African call for Zimbabwe unity African call for Zimbabwe unity
(40 minutes later)
African leaders have called for a government of national unity in Zimbabwe, where President Robert Mugabe was re-elected unopposed last week.African leaders have called for a government of national unity in Zimbabwe, where President Robert Mugabe was re-elected unopposed last week.
The resolution was approved at an African Union summit in Egypt, which also saw strong criticism of Mr Mugabe by Zimbabwe's neighbour Botswana.The resolution was approved at an African Union summit in Egypt, which also saw strong criticism of Mr Mugabe by Zimbabwe's neighbour Botswana.
The presidential run-off was boycotted by the opposition, which cited widespread political violence. The presidential run-off was boycotted by the opposition candidate, citing widespread state-sponsored violence.
Both sides have so far ruled out forming a power-sharing government.Both sides have so far ruled out forming a power-sharing government.
'Go hang''Go hang'
At the end of a two-day summit in Sharm el-Sheikh, AU leaders approved a resolution calling for the "creation of a government of national unity" in Zimbabwe.At the end of a two-day summit in Sharm el-Sheikh, AU leaders approved a resolution calling for the "creation of a government of national unity" in Zimbabwe.
It also encouraged both sides to live up to pledges to start dialogue to promote stability.It also encouraged both sides to live up to pledges to start dialogue to promote stability.
Mugabe spokesman clashes with the media We want a transition that is going to work on a new constitution, demilitarise the institutions of Zanu-PF, reform them, and then have elections Morgan TsvangiraiMDC leader class="" href="/1/hi/world/africa/7481147.stm">African leaders' discomfort class="" href="/1/hi/world/africa/7472942.stm">Zimbabwe: Possible scenarios class="" href="/1/hi/world/africa/7470959.stm">Inside Mugabe's mind
However Mr Mugabe's spokesman, George Charamba, earlier said Zimbabwe would not follow Kenya's example and create a unity government. However Mr Mugabe's spokesman, George Charamba, earlier said Zimbabwe would not form a grand coalition like that set up in Kenya to resolve post-election violence there.
"We have our own history of evolving dialogue and resolving political impasses the Zimbabwean way. The Zimbabwean way, not the Kenyan way," he told reporters."We have our own history of evolving dialogue and resolving political impasses the Zimbabwean way. The Zimbabwean way, not the Kenyan way," he told reporters.
Mr Chambara also rejected criticism of the election, and said the West could "go hang a thousand times". Mr Chambara also rejected criticism of the election, and said the West could "go and hang a thousand times".
Meanwhile the opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) said Friday's one-man election had killed off any prospect of a negotiated settlement. Meanwhile Zimbabwe's opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai said a power-sharing deal was unlikely to be helpful in the case of Zimbabwe.
Tendai Biti, the MDC's secretary-general who faces treason charges in Zimbabwe, said the country's "sham election" last week "totally and completely exterminated any prospect of a negotiated settlement". In an interview with a French broadcaster, Mr Tsvangirai said: "It's almost an elite pact between the leaderships. It doesn't mean anything to the people.
One of them grabbed my arm and flung me to the ground... They dragged me by my hair to where my husband was lying Angela CampbellWife of Zimbabwe farmer class="" href="/1/hi/world/africa/7481147.stm">African leaders' discomfort class="" href="/1/hi/world/africa/7472942.stm">Zimbabwe: Possible scenarios class="" href="/1/hi/world/africa/7470959.stm">Inside Mugabe's mind "We want a transition that is going to work on a new constitution, demilitarise the institutions of Zanu-PF, reform them, and then have elections."
He denied any negotiations were going on between the two parties, or that an agreement was in the offing. Mugabe spokesman clashes with the media
African leaders have faced growing pressure to take a stand against Zimbabwe's president.African leaders have faced growing pressure to take a stand against Zimbabwe's president.
At the meeting the vice-president of Botswana strongly condemned Mr Mugabe over the run-off - from which the MDC's Morgan Tsvangirai withdrew. Departing from the normal polite protocols of African summits, Botswana's vice-president said that Friday's run-off vote was so flawed by violence it could not be considered legitimate.
Mompati Merfahe said the vote "did not reflect the unfettered will of the people" and Zimbabwe should be excluded from African Union and regional talks. Mompati Merfahe said Zimbabwe should be excluded from African Union and regional talks.
The BBC's Martin Plaut, who is at the summit, says it is rare for African leaders to address each other across the conference floor in such unguarded terms.
Kenyan Prime Minister Raila Odinga also urged the AU to suspend Mr Mugabe until he allowed free and fair elections.Kenyan Prime Minister Raila Odinga also urged the AU to suspend Mr Mugabe until he allowed free and fair elections.
But Africa's longest-serving leader, Gabon President Omar Bongo, said Mr Mugabe should be accepted as the country's elected president. The BBC's Martin Plaut, who is in Sharm el-Sheikh, says in the end the summit settled for a resolution that will not satisfy Zimbabwe's international critics but is as strong as African leaders felt they could live with.
Farmers beatenFarmers beaten
The US has outlined a draft UN Security Council resolution calling for sanctions on Zimbabwe and Italy has recalled its ambassador to the country for consultations. The US has outlined a draft UN Security Council resolution calling for sanctions on Zimbabwe, and Italy has recalled its ambassador to the country for consultations.
Ben Freeth describes the attackBen Freeth describes the attack
French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner, speaking at the start of his country's presidency of the European Union, said the EU "will not accept a government other than one led by Mr Tsvangirai." French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner, the new chair of the EU's rotating presidency, said the EU "will not accept a government other than one led by Mr Tsvangirai".
In Zimbabwe, meanwhile, an elderly farmer, his wife and their son-in-law were found alive but badly beaten on Monday. In Zimbabwe, meanwhile, an elderly farmer, his wife and their son-in-law were found alive but badly beaten.
Mike Campbell, 75, his wife Angela, 66, and Ben Freeth had been kidnapped at gunpoint from their Harare farm by a mob on Sunday.Mike Campbell, 75, his wife Angela, 66, and Ben Freeth had been kidnapped at gunpoint from their Harare farm by a mob on Sunday.
Mrs Campbell said supporters of the ruling Zanu-PF party had attacked her with sticks, just as Mr Mugabe was being inaugurated as president.Mrs Campbell said supporters of the ruling Zanu-PF party had attacked her with sticks, just as Mr Mugabe was being inaugurated as president.
A friend of the family said the Campbells had been forced to sign a document withdrawing an appeal against the seizure of his farm. A friend of the family said the Campbells had been forced to sign a document withdrawing an appeal against the seizure of their farm.
Mr Tsvangirai defeated Mr Mugabe in the presidential vote on 29 March but failed to win an absolute majority.Mr Tsvangirai defeated Mr Mugabe in the presidential vote on 29 March but failed to win an absolute majority.
He reluctantly agreed to participate in the 27 June run-off but withdrew blaming violence which he said had killed nearly 90 of his followers.He reluctantly agreed to participate in the 27 June run-off but withdrew blaming violence which he said had killed nearly 90 of his followers.
Are you in Zimbabwe? What do you think of the international reaction to the election? Send your comments using the form below, or text 44 7624 800 100:Are you in Zimbabwe? What do you think of the international reaction to the election? Send your comments using the form below, or text 44 7624 800 100:
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