Southern African leaders shut Mugabe out of senior regional role

Southern African leaders have barred the Zimbabwean President, Robert Mugabe, from assuming a senior role in their 13-nation regional alliance. Diplomatic sources said yesterday that they had feared his leadership would destroy the organisation's reputation.

Mr Mugabe was scheduled to assume the rotating deputy chairmanship of the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC), a post that would automatically lead to him becoming its chairman a year later. Harare would also have become the scheduled venue for next year's meeting. Instead, the Tanzanian President, Benjamin Mkapa, was appointed to the post. Next year's heads of state meeting will now be held in Tanzania.

Although regional leaders have refrained from directly attacking Mr Mugabe over his drive to confiscate white-owned farms, diplomats said that in behind-the-scenes discussions the leaders have persistently tried to rein in the Zimbabwean leader.

The new SADC chairman, the Angolan President, Jose Eduardo dos Santos, his predecessor, the Malawian President, Bakili Muluzi, and the body's executive secretary, Prega Ramsamy, all emphasised the need for regional stability during the summit's opening ceremony this week.

An official privy to the SADC's deliberations said: "The SADC leaders have been criticised by Europe for turning a blind eye to Mugabe's excesses. By keeping him away from the leadership of SADC, they hope they can diplomatically make the world understand that they disagree with his policies."

Zimbabwe's state media had this week celebrated the country's impending assumption of the deputy chairmanship. TheHerald newspaper quoted officials saying they were excited about the appointment. However, the state media said yesterday that Mr Mugabe had chosen not to take the post owing to other "pressing commitments" at home. The Herald said Zimbabwe was happy to pass on the post so it could concentrate on its land seizures.

An unnamed diplomat said: "The whole reorganisation of the SADC bureau was unscheduled and is meant to send a message to Zimbabwe that the region values peace, security, stability and respect for greater democratisation."

Another diplomat said: "The heads of state and government did not have to discuss Zimbabwe's land reform directly. Their actions sent the right signal."

Mr Mugabe is widely seen as a liability in the region, which is faced with a devastating famine and is desperate to attract Western investment.