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Summit to discuss Zimbabwe crisis Summit to discuss Zimbabwe crisis
(about 3 hours later)
The worsening situation in Zimbabwe is being addressed by leaders of the Southern African Development Community (Sadc) at a summit in Zambia.The worsening situation in Zimbabwe is being addressed by leaders of the Southern African Development Community (Sadc) at a summit in Zambia.
The president of South Africa, Thabo Mbeki, will report on his efforts to mediate between the Zimbabwean government and opposition. South African President Thabo Mbeki will report on his efforts to mediate between the government and opposition.
Sadc is under renewed pressure to find a solution to ease Zimbabwe's deepening economic crisis. Correspondents say Zimbabwe's leader Robert Mugabe used to be able to rely on full support from his counterparts.
It has been accused of being too soft on President Robert Mugabe. But that may no longer be the case as Zimbabwe's economic decline is having a huge impact on the region.
Other nations taking part in the summit in the Zambian capital, Lusaka, include Mozambique, Malawi, Botswana, Tanzania, Namibia, Lesotho and Swaziland.Other nations taking part in the summit in the Zambian capital, Lusaka, include Mozambique, Malawi, Botswana, Tanzania, Namibia, Lesotho and Swaziland.
'One of their own'
Sadc is under renewed pressure to find a solution to ease Zimbabwe's crisis as it has been accused of being too soft on Mr Mugabe.
All the leaders were given a warm welcome in Lusaka
Tomaz Salomao, executive secretary of Sadc, told a news conference that the grouping had a range of options for Zimbabwe, including a "hard line", "quiet diplomacy" or a "different" method.Tomaz Salomao, executive secretary of Sadc, told a news conference that the grouping had a range of options for Zimbabwe, including a "hard line", "quiet diplomacy" or a "different" method.
A senior Zambian official said Sadc had grown tired of the deepening political and economic crisis in Zimbabwe but he did not have a resolution, saying Mr Mbeki's progress report would determine a course of action.A senior Zambian official said Sadc had grown tired of the deepening political and economic crisis in Zimbabwe but he did not have a resolution, saying Mr Mbeki's progress report would determine a course of action.
'One of their own'
But the BBC's Africa editor, Martin Plaut, says confronting Mr Mugabe goes against the grain of everything Sadc leaders hold dear.But the BBC's Africa editor, Martin Plaut, says confronting Mr Mugabe goes against the grain of everything Sadc leaders hold dear.
The policy of apartheid drove South Africans into exile in the 1960's.The policy of apartheid drove South Africans into exile in the 1960's.
Then, under Ian Smith, Rhodesia declared independence in 1965.Then, under Ian Smith, Rhodesia declared independence in 1965.
The liberation movements found natural homes in Zambia, Mozambique, Angola and Tanzania - countries that formed the backbone of what were called the "frontline states."The liberation movements found natural homes in Zambia, Mozambique, Angola and Tanzania - countries that formed the backbone of what were called the "frontline states."
Their armed wings fought shoulder-to-shoulder against the white regimes.Their armed wings fought shoulder-to-shoulder against the white regimes.
Rhodesian troops and South African special forces ranged across the region, killing their opponents as they went.Rhodesian troops and South African special forces ranged across the region, killing their opponents as they went.
None of the region's leaders have forgotten this, and correspondents say Mr Mugabe used to be able to rely on the full support of his fellow leaders in Southern Africa.None of the region's leaders have forgotten this, and correspondents say Mr Mugabe used to be able to rely on the full support of his fellow leaders in Southern Africa.
But the fall-out from Zimbabwe's political and economic crisis is now having a huge impact on the entire region, with increasing numbers of economic migrants fleeing Zimbabwe and settling in neighbouring countries.But the fall-out from Zimbabwe's political and economic crisis is now having a huge impact on the entire region, with increasing numbers of economic migrants fleeing Zimbabwe and settling in neighbouring countries.
Observers say there is a new mood of realism developing in the region, with Zimbabwe now seen as more than just a domestic problem.Observers say there is a new mood of realism developing in the region, with Zimbabwe now seen as more than just a domestic problem.