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World must take Zim action: SWE

09 December, 2008

JOHANNESBURG. Swedish Minister for International Development Cooperation Gunilla Carlsson issued a statement saying that the humanitarian situation in Zimbabwe is untenable - adding that the rest of the world must take action.

Sweden is prepared to provide immediate humanitarian assistance but is also engaged in direct talks with neighbouring countries to increase pressure on Robert Mugabe and the Zanu-PF. Sweden will invite MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai for talks as soon as this is possible, the minister said in a statement.

“The increasingly acute crisis in Zimbabwe must be resolved soon. Sweden is prepared both to provide humanitarian initiatives but also to take part in creating new conditions for achieving a solution to the conflict. This is why talks with Morgan Tsvangirai are also important,” she said.

The violent regime to which Robert Mugabe has exposed the people of Zimbabwe has led to economic and political collapse. The currently escalating cholera epidemic has further worsened the already very precarious situation in the country.

Mediation attempts by the SADC have not led to any decision. Sweden’s point of departure is that the will of the Zimbabwean people, expressed in the elections in March, must be respected. The assignment assumed by the SADC must now be intensified. The African Union (AU) and the UN should also become involved as soon as possible.

Sweden has had direct contacts with several countries in the region including Zambia, Botswana and Tanzania who want to see considerably stronger action on the part of the SADC. There is also agreement in the EU for stronger action.

“Sweden appreciates the more determined and principled position expressed by a number of African countries. Sweden will participate in efforts to achieve a solution to the political crisis in Zimbabwe,” says Ms Carlsson.

Pending resolution of the conflict, Sweden is providing considerable humanitarian support to the Zimbabwean people. Sweden is also prepared to rapidly allocate further humanitarian assistance resources.