South Africa brushes off Sunday Mail comments about Zuma and Libya

The South African government has brushed off comments by the Sunday Mail about its policy on Libya saying governments have their own channels of communication.

The Sunday Mail accused South African President Jacob Zuma of being a dishonest broker. Zuma is the chief negotiator for Zimbabwe. The paper’s comments came only three days after the Southern African Development Community had insisted that violence in Zimbabwe must come to an end and the country should prepare for free, fair and credible elections.

“Mr Zuma’s duplicity is astounding. With such leaders, Africa is in mortal danger,” the paper said. “The same President Zuma who voted for the bombardment of Libya is now speaking out against the use of military force by the United States, Britain, France and their allies…… Does South Africa have a foreign policy at all or has the ANC entered the era of Mickey Mouse posturing?”

The South African media which has always been against the South African government’s stance towards Zimbabwe said since the Sunday Mail was Zimbabwe’s “main government mouthpiece” the paper was “unlikely to have published such comments, the strongest yet against Zuma, without official sanction”.

In a statement, the South African government said relations between South Africa and Zimbabwe remained warm and cordial. “Should the Zimbabwean government wish to understand our position on Libya or any other, they will contact the South African government through the normal channels as they always do.”

Here is the full statement by the South African government.

Media Statement on Zimbabwe – South Africa’s Position on Libya is Unambiguous

PRETORIA, South Africa, April 3 — The government of South Africa issued the following press statement:

We have noted comments by a Zimbabwean newspaper which has generated interest among some sections of the media, relating to South Africa’s position on Libya, especially the country’s affirmative vote for United Nations Security Council Resolution 1973.

South Africa’s position on Libya is clear and unambiguous.

As a member of the African Union, South Africa is committed to the position of the AU Peace and Security Council which reaffirmed Africa’s strong commitment to the respect of the unity and territorial integrity of Libya.

President Jacob Zuma has called for an immediate ceasefire in Libya and an end to the attacks on civilians. He also stated that only a peaceful solution, based on the will of the people, will guarantee long-term stability in Libya. The President is part of the Ad-hoc High-Level Committee on Libya, comprising five Heads of State and Government, who have been tasked with finding a political solution to the Libyan crisis. South Africa remains committed to working within the ambit of the AU to find a lasting political solution to the Libyan crisis.

Other than responsibilities as a member of the African Union, South Africa also has strong historical ties with Libya forged during the liberation struggle. It is for this reason that we stated that Resolution 1973 should not be abused, and should be implemented in letter and spirit to protect Libyan civilians and not to advance other objectives. President Zuma has spoken out unambiguously against the killing of civilians in Libya and reaffirmed the country’s rejection of regime change and the foreign occupation of Libya.

Governments have their own channels of communication, and relations with Zimbabwe remain warm and cordial. Should the Zimbabwean government wish to understand our position on Libya or any other, they will contact the South African government through the normal channels as they always do.

Zizi Kodwa

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