US supports regional efforts to effect change in Zimbabwe
The United States said it supports efforts by southern African leaders to resolve a political and economic crisis in Zimbabwe.
US State Department spokesman Sean McCormack said in a statement that such engagement shows “the region considers the situation an increasing threat to stability and is committed to a democratic and prosperous Zimbabwe”.
“We regret that the Mugabe regime has not expressed a similar commitment,” McCormack said, referring to Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe.
The United States, the statement said, deplores “the Mugabe regime’s continued acts of oppression against all segments of society”.
Nevertheless, the summit of southern African leaders ended yesterday with no quick fix in sight to Zimbabwe’s crisis.
The closing communiqué made only a brief reference to Zimbabwe’s problems, despite mounting worries in neighbouring countries that the turmoil is harming their economies and prompting thousands of destitute people to leave the stricken nation.
