Meeting with UN ambassador to urge action on Zimbabwe

I am today meeting South African Ambassador to the United Nations, Dumisani Kumalo, in New York to discuss the unfolding crisis in Zimbabwe. I will make the case that South Africa must use its position as rotational President of the United Nation Security Council to put the prevention of conflict in Zimbabwe firmly on the UN’s agenda. As the UN noted in 2005: “no task is more fundamental to the UN than the prevention and resolution of deadly conflict.” In particular, the following should be considered by the Security Council: Establishing a UN field mission to Zimbabwe, under the auspices of the UN Department of Political Affairs, to prevent the escalation of conflict; Supporting a possible African Union-led intervention, in line with the AU’s objective to “anticipate and prevent conflicts” in terms of the AU Peace and Security Council Protocol; and Despatching a UN peacekeeping force to Zimbabwe if full-blown conflict erupts. There are legitimate fears that President Mugabe is preparing a bloody intimidation campaign to ensure that he wins a run-off election. The MDC have already pleaded for international intervention before there are “dead bodies on the streets of Harare.” In light of these developments, and mindful of events in Kenya earlier this year, it is crucial that international multi-lateral organisations such as the UN and the African Union take pro-active steps to prevent bloodshed in Zimbabwe. As the current President of the Security Council, South Africa has a unique opportunity to influence the UN to take action. However, according to the Security Council’s programme, Zimbabwe is not even on the agenda for April – the month that South Africa holds the rotational presidency. This is inexplicable given recent developments in Zimbabwe. I intend to ask the Ambassador what steps, if any, he is taking to ensure that the crisis in Zimbabwe will be placed on the UN Security Council’s agenda. I will also ask the Ambassador whether he will ensure that Zimbabwe is on the agenda at the UN Summit to discuss UN support for AU peace efforts taking place on 17 April. The summit was initiated by South Africa and will be chaired by President Thabo Mbeki. South Africa has so far not used its seat on the Security Council to advance the cause of human rights around the world. Our failure to stand up for human rights in Myanmar, Sudan, Zimbabwe, Belarus, Cuba and the DRC has led UN Watch to call us “the chief human rights villain” on the Security Council. South Africa now has the opportunity to silence critics of its foreign policy by using its position on the UN Security Council to urge UN action in Zimbabwe. Not only will this help salvage our reputation abroad but, more importantly, it may save the lives of thousands of Zimbabweans.