26 Mar 2013

Southern African Development Community (SADC) has made great strides in consolidating democracy, peace and stability in the region.

 

President Lt Gen. Seretse Khama Ian Khama said this at a state luncheon for Malawi President, Dr Joyce Banda on Monday. 

 

President Khama noted that it was important for SADC countries to do all in their power to consolidate and build on such efforts to avoid reversal of their hard earned gains. He noted that progress had been made by the parties in Zimbabwe in implementing the Global Political Agreement (GPA). 

 

“The adoption of the new constitution through peaceful referendum is the reason for optimism in Zimbabwe’s political trajectory,” the President stressed.

 

President Khama urged all Zimbabwean stakeholders to ensure that incidents of intimidation and harassment, including arrests reported during the just ended referendum by the media and SADC’s observer mission be avoided by all means in the build up to and during the forthcoming elections.

 

“I am sure you will agree with me that the unwavering support of SADC as the guarantor of the GPA will remain vital as Zimbabwe prepares for elections later this year,” he said.

 

He stressed the importance of SADC’s continued engagement in the Zimbabwean situation to give impetus and confidence in these final stages of GPA to ensure a successful outcome of the elections.

 

Further, President Khama said the raging conflict in Syria, where 70 000 people were reported dead, over one million internally displaced, and more than half a million forced into exile remains a permanent blemish on the conscience of humanity.

 

He called on the United Nations and all others involved in efforts to find a solution to the crisis in Syria to redouble their efforts to end the suffering of the Syrian people at the hands of Assads discredited regime.

 

He said the Korean and Peninsula situation was a matter of great concern, adding that testing of nuclear weapons by North Korea did not only contravene international norms and practices, but also undermined all efforts aimed at promoting international peace and security, particularly in the Korean peninsula.

 

“North Korea’s intransigence in this regard, has relegated that country to Pariah status in the eyes of many in the international community. Their dangerous actions and threats against other countries is totally unacceptable,” he said. As a result, he said Botswana had recently suspended bilateral co-operation with North Korea.ENDS