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PRESIDENT Mugabe was on Sunday elected the new Sadc vice chairperson, deputising Malawi’s President Joyce Banda at the regional bloc’s summit in Lilongwe. The development means President Mugabe will become the next chairperson of the regional grouping next year after Malawi completes its one year term. The development is a diplomatic victory for Zimbabwe and the clearest sign yet that regional leaders accept results of the 31 July elections and are confident of Zimbabwe’s political future.
Analysts also contend that this effectively means regional leaders deem Zimbabwe’s political issue a closed chapter.
Zimbabwe had been subjected to mediation of Sadc led by South African President Jacob Zuma over the past four years following a political crisis that resulted in the creation of a three party coalition government whose mandate expired on 31 July when the country successfully held its elections.
Diplomatic sources said regional leaders had been impressed with the way Zimbabwe had managed to worm her way out of political and economic troubles.
The source said President Mugabe had explained to the leaders, in a closed door meeting on Saturday, all the processes and steps that the country had taken since 2009 when the inclusive government was formed.
The source said regional leaders congratulated President Mugabe on his emphatic victory and also hailed Zimbabweans for the manner they conducted themselves in the elections.
“The leaders also thanked President Zuma for his mediation efforts in Zimbabwe.
“The leaders have quoted the Zimbabwean issue as one of the successes of Sadc” said the source.
President Banda took over from Mozambican President Armando Guebuza.
Namibian President Hifikepunye Pohamba also took over as the chairperson of the Sadc Organ on Politics, Defence and Security from Tanzania’s President Jakaya Kikwete.
Stergomena Lawrence Tax from Tanzania is the new executive secretary taking over from Tomaz Salomao. — New Ziana.
Online Reporter