Decision on Zimbabwe

DECISION ON ZIMBABWE

The Assembly:

1. RECALLS Resolution Assembly/AU/Res.1 (XI) on the situation in Zimbabwe adopted at its Eleventh Ordinary Session, held in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt, from 30 June to 1 July 2008, as well as the efforts undertaken subsequently and which led to the signing by the Zimbabwean parties on 15 September 2008, of the Global Political Agreement (GPA);

2. WELCOMES the decisions of the Extraordinary Summit of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Heads of State and Government, held in Pretoria, South Africa, from 26 to 27 January 2009, regarding the implementation of the GPA, and WELCOMES the timelines agreed for the formation of an inclusive Government, in particular the adoption of amendment nineteen (19) on 5 February 2009, as well as the swearing-in of the Prime Minister and the Deputy Prime Ministers by 11 February 2009 and that of the Ministers and Deputy Ministers by 13 February 2009;

3. FURTHER WELCOMES the commitments expressed by all the Zimbabwean parties to the GPA in the implementation of the Decision of SADC Extraordinary Summit held from 26 to 27 January 2009;

4. COMMENDS and SUPPORTS the efforts of SADC and its Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation, as well as the Facilitator of the Political Dialogue on Zimbabwe, former President of South Africa, H.E. Mr. Thabo Mbeki, and ENCOURAGES him to continue with those efforts in line with the provisions of the GPA, of which the AU is a Guarantor;

5. CALLS UPON AU Member States and partners to lend their full support to the implementation of the GPA, including through adequate support to address the serious socio-economic problems facing Zimbabwe;

6. FURTHER CALLS FOR the immediate lifting of the sanctions on Zimbabwe to ease the economic and humanitarian situation in the country;

7. COMMENDS the Chairperson of the Commission for the efforts he has made in pursuance of the Sharm El Sheikh Decision.