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Africans reject Mugabe sanctions Africans reject Mugabe sanctions
(about 1 hour later)
Africa leaders have told the G8 group of nations meeting in Japan that they oppose sanctions being imposed on Zimbabwe following controversial polls.Africa leaders have told the G8 group of nations meeting in Japan that they oppose sanctions being imposed on Zimbabwe following controversial polls.
"I said that sanctions... wouldn't change the regime," Senegal's leader Abdoulaye Wade told AFP news agency."I said that sanctions... wouldn't change the regime," Senegal's leader Abdoulaye Wade told AFP news agency.
South Africa's President Thabo Mbeki reportedly told G8 leaders that UN sanctions could lead to civil war.South Africa's President Thabo Mbeki reportedly told G8 leaders that UN sanctions could lead to civil war.
The US and UK are pushing for the UN Security Council to tighten targeted sanctions this week.The US and UK are pushing for the UN Security Council to tighten targeted sanctions this week.
On Monday, Tanzania's President Jakaya Kikwete, who also heads the African Union, said African leaders favoured some sort of power-sharing government.On Monday, Tanzania's President Jakaya Kikwete, who also heads the African Union, said African leaders favoured some sort of power-sharing government.
Isolating and demonising Zimbabwe is not in the best interests of anyone Bright MatongaDeputy information ministerIsolating and demonising Zimbabwe is not in the best interests of anyone Bright MatongaDeputy information minister
"We are saying no party can govern alone in Zimbabwe and therefore the parties have to work together, come out to work together in a government and then look at the future of their country together," he said at the G8 summit of the world's leading industrialised countries in Japan. Meanwhile, the opposition Movement for Democratic Change has denied reports it is ready to resume talks with the government.
The opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) says 5,000 of its members are missing and more than 100 of its supporters have been murdered since a first round of elections in March. The MDC says 5,000 of its members are missing and more than 100 of its supporters have been murdered since a first round of elections in March.
President Robert Mugabe went on to win a run-off as the MDC pulled out of the June run-off, citing state-sponsored violence.President Robert Mugabe went on to win a run-off as the MDC pulled out of the June run-off, citing state-sponsored violence.
'Sham''Sham'
In a closed door meeting with G8 leaders, the UK Guardian newspaper reports that Mr Mbeki warned that Zimbabwe could descend into civil war if tougher sanctions were opposed.In a closed door meeting with G8 leaders, the UK Guardian newspaper reports that Mr Mbeki warned that Zimbabwe could descend into civil war if tougher sanctions were opposed.
Robert Mugabe has said the opposition must accept him as presidentRobert Mugabe has said the opposition must accept him as president
"Some African leaders mentioned that we should bear in mind that Mugabe will retire in a few years. Putting pressure on Zimbabwe, including sanctions, might lead to internal conflict. We should be discreet and careful," a spokesman for Japan told the paper."Some African leaders mentioned that we should bear in mind that Mugabe will retire in a few years. Putting pressure on Zimbabwe, including sanctions, might lead to internal conflict. We should be discreet and careful," a spokesman for Japan told the paper.
The UK and US want to tighten targeted sanctions against Mr Mugabe and his close allies, as well as impose an arms embargo.The UK and US want to tighten targeted sanctions against Mr Mugabe and his close allies, as well as impose an arms embargo.
Mr Wade, one of seven African leaders at the G8 summit, said applying sanctions should be delayed "for two or three months" to allow for mediation.Mr Wade, one of seven African leaders at the G8 summit, said applying sanctions should be delayed "for two or three months" to allow for mediation.
Mr Kikwete said at the G8 summit: "We are saying no party can govern alone in Zimbabwe and therefore the parties have to work together, come out to work together in a government and then look at the future of their country together."
The state-owned Herald newspaper quotes Justice Minister Patrick Chinamasa as saying that South-African talks would resume shortly but this has been denied by the MDC.
Mr Mbeki is the chief regional negotiator on Zimbabwe, and has been trying to persuade both sides to form a unity government.Mr Mbeki is the chief regional negotiator on Zimbabwe, and has been trying to persuade both sides to form a unity government.
He was in Harare over the weekend to hold talks, but MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai did not attend, saying meeting Mr Mugabe at State House would mean recognising his legitimacy as president.He was in Harare over the weekend to hold talks, but MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai did not attend, saying meeting Mr Mugabe at State House would mean recognising his legitimacy as president.
The African Union last week ignored calls to condemn Mr Mugabe's re-election and called for a power-sharing government to be set up.The African Union last week ignored calls to condemn Mr Mugabe's re-election and called for a power-sharing government to be set up.
US President George W Bush described the election as a "sham".US President George W Bush described the election as a "sham".
The Zimbabwean government blames interference from Western countries for delaying a solution to the country's political impasse.The Zimbabwean government blames interference from Western countries for delaying a solution to the country's political impasse.
"It is the UK that is pushing for sanctions, but isolating and demonising Zimbabwe is not in the best interests of anyone. They should treat Zimbabwe as a partner rather than an enemy," South Africa's News24 website quotes Zimbabwe's Deputy Information Minister Bright Matonga as saying."It is the UK that is pushing for sanctions, but isolating and demonising Zimbabwe is not in the best interests of anyone. They should treat Zimbabwe as a partner rather than an enemy," South Africa's News24 website quotes Zimbabwe's Deputy Information Minister Bright Matonga as saying.
Shortly after Mr Mbeki left Zimbabwe on Sunday, armed militia raided two camps for people fleeing the post-election violence.Shortly after Mr Mbeki left Zimbabwe on Sunday, armed militia raided two camps for people fleeing the post-election violence.
At one camp, masked men in army fatigues beat up people who had previously sought refuge at the South African embassy, a witness said.At one camp, masked men in army fatigues beat up people who had previously sought refuge at the South African embassy, a witness said.
A small number of African states has joined the European Union, the US and other Western nations in criticising the way the election was run.A small number of African states has joined the European Union, the US and other Western nations in criticising the way the election was run.