(C) U.K. BUSINESSMAN BRANSON FUNDING "ELDER"

C O N F I D E N T I A L PRETORIA 002443

SIPDIS

SIPDIS
NOFORN

DEPT FOR AF/S S. HILL

E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/10/2017
TAGS: PREL PHUM KDEM ZI SF
SUBJECT: (C) U.K. BUSINESSMAN BRANSON FUNDING "ELDER"
INITIATIVE TO GET MUGABE OUT OF POWER

REF: PRETORIA 2210

Classified By: Ambassador Eric M. Bost. Reasons 1.4(b) and (d).


1. (C/NF) U.K. businessman Richard Branson is bankrolling an
African "Elders" initiative to convince Zimbabwean President
Mugabe to step down. The "Elders" plan to meet secretly in
Johannesburg July 17-18 with Branson to discuss their
initiative. Former Presidents Nelson Mandela (South Africa),
Sam Nujoma (Namibia),Kenneth Kaunda (Zambia),Jerry Rawlings
(Ghana),Joaquim Chissano (Mozambique),Daniel Arap Moi
(Kenya) and Ketumile Masire (Botswana) have reportedly agreed
to participate. Former UNSYG Kofi Annan also plans to attend
the meeting. President Carter will also be in Johannesburg
and will meet with the group of Elders, although it is not
clear if he will be involved in the Zimbabwe discussion. The
Zimbabwe initiative is being cast as supportive of the South
African-led SADC mediation.


2. (C/NF) Former Mugabe Information Minister Jonathan Moyo is
working with Branson on the plan. Moyo reached out to
Branson, who owns Virgin Atlantic airline as well as a game
lodge and chain of gyms in South Africa, in early June to
suggest the involvement of the former African leaders.
Branson agreed to fund the initiative, including Moyo's
travel and technical assistance. Embassy contact Sydney
Masamvu (strictly protect) provided Post with emails between
Moyo and Branson, as well as a copy of Moyo's draft concept
paper for the initiative.


3. (C/NF) Moyo's draft concept "Review of Issues and
Strategy" paper (emailed to AF/S) outlines his views on the
reasons behind the Zimbabwean crisis: the disagreement
between the GOZ and U.K. over the "source or cause of the
crisis," a "flawed constitutional dispensation," and Mugabe's
unwillingness to allow anyone to succeed him "due to his
deep-seated immunity fears and concerns." Moyo proposes to
the Elders a four-point strategy to deal with Mugabe:

-- The Elders would travel to Zimbabwe to meet with Mugabe.

-- The Elders would urge Mugabe to support a new
constitution, which would include "watertight" provisions on
Mugabe's immunity from prosecution and allow for a truth and
reconciliation process.

-- The new constitution would allow Mugabe to appoint an
executive Prime Minister, who would form a "broad based
government of all national talents and interests;" Parliament
would then select a new, non-executive President.

-- This new government would last until November 2010, when a
general election would be held.


4. (C/NF) Moyo suggests a script for the Elders in their
proposed meeting with Mugabe:

-- tell Mugabe that they are approaching him because they
"respect him" and want to safeguard his "proud legacy;"

-- express concern about the deteriorating situation in
Zimbabwe;

-- tell Mugabe the time has come to step aside "graciously
and with dignity to allow his country to move on;"

-- stress that "it is now certain Zimbabwe will slip into
dangerous chaos" if Mugabe does not step down; and

-- suggest that they support Mugabe now, but "will not be
able to do so if the situation in Zimbabwe deteriorates."
Bost