For the past year the British and the Americans have been trying to get the Security Council to take up the issue of Zimbabwe and the violence against the MDC, but South Africa's control of the UN Security Council, which ended last month, has made it impossible (see LA Times article from April 2008 on this). Now, it seems, given the world's attention to the numerous killings, beatings, torture, and displacement of MDC supporters, even the South African government can no longer hide behind its "quiet diplomacy" that has, for the past 8 years, allowed Zimbabweans to suffer greatly.
The actual UN Security Council Presidential Statement reads as follows:
“The Security Council condemns the campaign of violence against the political opposition ahead of the second round of the Presidential elections scheduled for 27 June, which has resulted in the killing of scores of opposition activists and other Zimbabweans and the beating and displacement of thousands of people, including many women and children.
“The Security Council further condemns the actions of the Government of Zimbabwe that have denied its political opponents the right to campaign freely, and calls upon the Government of Zimbabwe to stop the violence, to cease political intimidation, to end the restrictions on the right of assembly and to release the political leaders who have been detained. The Council urges the international monitors and observers to remain in Zimbabwe while the crisis continues.
“The Security Council regrets that the campaign of violence and the restrictions on the political opposition have made it impossible for a free and fair election to take place on 27 June. The Council further considers that, to be legitimate, any government of Zimbabwe must take account of the interests of all its citizens. The Council notes that the results of the 29 March 2008 elections must be respected.
“The Security Council expresses its concern over the impact of the situation in Zimbabwe on the wider region. The Council welcomes the recent international efforts, including those of SADC leaders and particularly President Mbeki. The Security Council calls on the Zimbabwean authorities to cooperate fully with all efforts, including through the UN, aimed at finding a peaceful way forward, through dialogue between the parties, that allows a legitimate government to be formed that reflects the will of the Zimbabwean people.
“The Security Council further expresses its concern at the grave humanitarian situation in Zimbabwe and condemns the suspension by the Government of Zimbabwe of the operations of humanitarian organizations, which has directly affected one and a half million people, including half a million children. The Council calls on the Government of Zimbabwe to immediately allow humanitarian organizations to resume their services.
“The Security Council will continue to monitor closely the situation and requests the Secretary-General to report on ongoing regional and international efforts to resolve the crisis.”
The briefing by Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs B. Lynn Pascoe is also interesting. Apparently, the US and UK wanted the final Presidential letter to state that the results of the March 29th election should be respected, meaning that Tsvangarai should be viewed as the President-elect. But South Africa and China did not accept this wording, leaving the more watered-down line above: "The Council notes that the results of the 29 March 2008 elections must be respected."
For more on the dealings behind the scenes, see William Gumede's "Amid the despair of Zimbabwe, there is still hope" in the Independent, June 25, 2008
Alan Cowell and Celia W. Dugger report in the International Herald Tribune (June 24, 2008), that the ANC reiterated their demand to be in charge of the Zimbabwe situation. Using historical arguments, the ANC warned:
""It has always been and continues to be the view of our movement that the
challenges facing Zimbabwe can only be solved by the Zimbabweans themselves,"
the statement said. "Nothing has happened in the recent months has persuaded us to revise that view."
In what seemed a clear rebuke to the Western-led effort to take an
aggressive stance against the Zimbabwean government, the ANC included a lengthy criticism of the "arbitrary, capricious power" exerted by Africa's former colonial masters and the subsequent struggle by African nations to grant newfound freedoms and rights.
"No colonial power in Africa, least of all Britain in its colony of 'Rhodesia' ever demonstrated any respect for these principles," the ANC said,
referring to Zimbabwe before its independence.""
Apparently, from this logic, historical lack of respect for newfound rights and freedoms means current powers are equally justified in disrespecting them.
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