AU Calls for Lawful Remedy to Zimbabwe Standoff

The continental body, African Union, has called upon all stakeholders to employ democratic means to resolve the current political standoff in Zimbabwe.

In a statement released by the African Union, the commission chairperson, Moussa Faki Mahamat acknowledged following the situation keenly and asked all the people involved to use lawful means to solve the problem.

“The Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Moussa Faki Mahamat, is closely following the developments in Zimbabwe. He urges all stakeholders to address the current situation in accordance with the Constitution of Zimbabwe and the relevant instruments of the African Union, including the African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance”, read the statement.

Earlier, South Africa’s President and chairperson of the regional body SADC, Jacob Zuma confirmed speaking to President Mugabe and said he was confined to his home but he was fine.

Mr. Zuma further pledged sending an envoy led by his Minister in charge of foreign affairs to Zimbabwe to assess the situation.

The African Union has also vowed to cooperate with the regional leaders to rectify the situation before it escalates.

“The Chairperson of the Commission expresses the commitment of the African Union to working closely with the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and the leaders of the region, and to support their efforts. In this regard, the African Union associates itself with the statement made by President Jacob Zuma of South Africa on behalf of SADC”, added the statement.

Earlier information indicated that sacked vice president Emerson Mnangagwa, seen by many as the army’s favourite to succeed President Mugabe, was expected back in the country from self exile in South Africa on Wednesday at 2:00pm local time, but this didn’t happen.

Meanwhile, it’s reported that President Mugabe is still under house arrest and the Army has been trying to negotiate with him so that he can step-down peacefully.

Mugabe, who led Zimbabwe to self rule, has been President for 37 years now making him one of the longest African serving Presidents. At 93, Mugabe is the world’s oldest leader.

Zimbabwe’s current political standoff was sparked off by the sacking of Vice President Emerson Mnangagwa last week, which was regarded by the Zimbabwe Defence Forces as an attack on the war veterans engineered by President Mugabe’s wife Grace Mugabe.