Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08MAPUTO802
2008-08-22 09:05:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Maputo
Cable title:
IN SADC TROIKA, MOZAMBIQUE UNLIKELY TO PRESSURE
how-toVZCZCXRO6368 RR RUEHDU RUEHMR RUEHRN DE RUEHTO #0802 2350905 ZNY CCCCC ZZH R 220905Z AUG 08 FM AMEMBASSY MAPUTO TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 9261 INFO RUCNSAD/SOUTHERN AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY RUEHLO/AMEMBASSY LONDON 0219
C O N F I D E N T I A L MAPUTO 000802
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/20/2018
TAGS: PREL PGOV MZ ZI
SUBJECT: IN SADC TROIKA, MOZAMBIQUE UNLIKELY TO PRESSURE
MUGABE PUBLICLY
REF: MAPUTO 781
Classified By: Charge d'Affaires Todd Amani, Reasons 1.4(b+d)
C O N F I D E N T I A L MAPUTO 000802
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/20/2018
TAGS: PREL PGOV MZ ZI
SUBJECT: IN SADC TROIKA, MOZAMBIQUE UNLIKELY TO PRESSURE
MUGABE PUBLICLY
REF: MAPUTO 781
Classified By: Charge d'Affaires Todd Amani, Reasons 1.4(b+d)
1. (SBU) On August 16 and 17, the 28th Summit of the SADC
Heads of State and Government in South Africa elected
Mozambican President Armando Guebuza as Deputy Chairperson of
the SADC Organ on Politics, Defense, and Security
Cooperation. Guebeza is part of a "troika" that includes
former chair Angolan President Jose Eduardo dos Santos and
newly-elected chair Swaziland King Mswati III. The troika is
tasked with issues of SADC sovereignty, peacekeeping, and
political stability, and according to GRM Foreign Minister
Oldemiro Baloi the troika is "the most important" organ
within SADC. Despite international pressure however, the
SADC troika failed to make any headway on resolving
Zimbabwe's crisis in the past year, though it did hold an
extraordinary meeting on the issue on the margins of the
summit.
2. (C) While Baloi's August 18 statement also suggested
that SADC members chose Mozambique for reasons of political
stability, good international image, and economic success,
MFA contacts have told poloffs that there was no specific
motive behind the GRM getting the nod as the deputy chair.
Rather, contacts suggest that the troika informally rotates
among members on a regular basis, pointing to Mozambique's
previous experience in the troika in 2000 under former
President Chissano,s administration.
3. (C) Even so, SADC's choice of Mozambique could be seen
as a move by member countries who view Mozambique as a
historical ally of Zimbabwe. While some local commentators
argue that the GRM's unwillingness to make public statements
against the Mugabe administration betrays weakness, SADC
members may see Mozambique as a broker that could engage both
the ZANU-PF and the MDC behind the scenes.
Amani
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/20/2018
TAGS: PREL PGOV MZ ZI
SUBJECT: IN SADC TROIKA, MOZAMBIQUE UNLIKELY TO PRESSURE
MUGABE PUBLICLY
REF: MAPUTO 781
Classified By: Charge d'Affaires Todd Amani, Reasons 1.4(b+d)
1. (SBU) On August 16 and 17, the 28th Summit of the SADC
Heads of State and Government in South Africa elected
Mozambican President Armando Guebuza as Deputy Chairperson of
the SADC Organ on Politics, Defense, and Security
Cooperation. Guebeza is part of a "troika" that includes
former chair Angolan President Jose Eduardo dos Santos and
newly-elected chair Swaziland King Mswati III. The troika is
tasked with issues of SADC sovereignty, peacekeeping, and
political stability, and according to GRM Foreign Minister
Oldemiro Baloi the troika is "the most important" organ
within SADC. Despite international pressure however, the
SADC troika failed to make any headway on resolving
Zimbabwe's crisis in the past year, though it did hold an
extraordinary meeting on the issue on the margins of the
summit.
2. (C) While Baloi's August 18 statement also suggested
that SADC members chose Mozambique for reasons of political
stability, good international image, and economic success,
MFA contacts have told poloffs that there was no specific
motive behind the GRM getting the nod as the deputy chair.
Rather, contacts suggest that the troika informally rotates
among members on a regular basis, pointing to Mozambique's
previous experience in the troika in 2000 under former
President Chissano,s administration.
3. (C) Even so, SADC's choice of Mozambique could be seen
as a move by member countries who view Mozambique as a
historical ally of Zimbabwe. While some local commentators
argue that the GRM's unwillingness to make public statements
against the Mugabe administration betrays weakness, SADC
members may see Mozambique as a broker that could engage both
the ZANU-PF and the MDC behind the scenes.
Amani