South Africa and the European Union concluded a landmark summit meeting in which the EU endorsed efforts by President Mbeki of South Africa to serve as a mediator in the difficult situation posed by chaos in Zimbabwe. Nicolas Sarkozy, whose nation holds the EU presidency offered strong support for mediation efforts admitting his fury at the brutality of President Mugabe made him unable to have any relations with such a tryant. The European Union has extended its economic sanctions against Zimbabwe but Sarkozy said it might be possible to rethink those actions if mediation results in ending the tyranny of Mugabe. South African President Mbeki, who has come under strong criticism on the part of democratic forces in Zimbabwe for his ongoing support for Mugabe, emphasized both major parties had to share power and violence had to end.
However, as the summit concluded, the Zimbabwe government issued an announcement that Mugabe’s controversial election as president was a “non-negotiable” issue. Of course, the key issue is that election was the result of fraud and violence and it must be negotiated if Zimbabweans are to have peace and freedom.
