GABARONE (AFP) — Botswana's government said Tuesday that despite time running out until Zimbabwe's run-off vote there should still be efforts to find a solution to avoid a deeper economic and political crisis.
"Botswana is convinced that even at this late hour concerted efforts should be made to find a lasting solution," the foreign ministry said in a statement.
"Failure to arrest and reverse the current situation of tension can only lead to Zimbabwe sliding further into deep economic and political crisis."
The southern African nation, and neighbour of Zimbabwe, has been one of the few members of the 14-nation Southern African Development Community to speak out against Mugabe's regime.
While many regional governments are accused of protecting the founding father of Zimbabwe, still seen as a struggle hero, Botswana has taken a harder stance than its neighbours who declared the first round elections free and fair.
"Botswana regrets that despite repeated appeals conditions for a free and fair election have been compromised," read the statement, adding that it was the primary responsibilty of the Zimbabwe government to maintain a peace and security before and during the election.
The Botswana government said Zimbabwe was "at the crossroads as to what direction it should take" and a free and fair election was crucial to set the country on a path of national reconciliation and economic recovery.
The country, which contributed some 50 observers to the election process, said it would await a report from SADC and independent observers before announcing its position on the legitimacy of any presidential candidate and subsequently the Zimbabwean government.
Copyright © 2009 AFP. All rights reserved. More »
