Topic: Southern Africa Development Community

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Zimbabwe activists sentenced for watching Arab Spring video

Found guilty for conspiracy to commit violence, six Zimbabwe activists are given fines and community service. Opposition members see beginning of crackdown ahead of elections.
Africa Monitor
Congo election aftermath: some possible scenarios to avert crisis

Guest blogger Jason K. Stearns looks at possible scenarios for Congo, including mediation or holding a fresh runoff between President Kabila and opposition leader Tshisekedi.
Why so much is at stake as Congo goes to polls

Congo's polls today could be a crucial step for the resource-rich country's progress toward stability and self-determination. Disputed elections could leave it conflict-prone and poor.
Zimbabwe police arrest, then release, top leaders

Police arrested Zimbabwe's Minister of Industry and Commerce Welshman Ncube and at least 20 other senior members of the smallest of the three parties within the ruling coalition Sunday. They were released hours later.
Africa Monitor
Zimbabwe and Mugabe top the agenda at southern Africa summit

The Southern African Development Community will not call on Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe to cede power. But by insisting on fair elections, it may push Mugabe into a corner nonetheless.
In Swaziland, heavy crackdown beats back Egypt-inspired protests

Three days of protests took Swaziland – Africa's last absolute monarch – by surprise. Police and the Army fired tear gas and water cannons to control 1,000 protesting teachers and students.
Robert Mugabe clamps down further in Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe's President Robert Mugabe is warily eyeing the recent uprisings in Tunisia and Egypt. Some analysts say those are prompting him to speed up elections and intensify an intimidation campaign against the opposition.
What Madagascar's failed coup attempt could mean for the fragile country

A coup attempt by rebel officers against a government that itself came to power by military force, leaves Malagasy citizens calling it an example of political theater and all eyes on a constitutional vote.
Coup attempt threatens Madagascar's uneasy path to democracy

Restoring democracy in Madagascar means parsing the motives of former presidents back from exile for upcoming elections – and learning how to build a stable government.
Global leadership: Voters launch a power surge of women

Brazil's President-elect Dilma Rousseff is the latest in a power surge of women in global leadership positions.
Mugabe and the White African: movie review

‘Mugabe and the White African’ traces one family’s fight to save their farm in the face of Mugabe’s brutal tactics.
The Sports Economist
How many people actually went to the World Cup?

The figure quoted by the South African government might be an inaccurate measure.
Sanctions aren’t always the answer: Robert Mugabe is using them to his advantage

Sanctions on Zimbabwe have become more of a helpful tool for Mugabe and his ZANU-PF party than a hindrance. And if this once-bountiful country is to turn a corner, the West should seriously consider suspending them.
Will terrorism acquittal of MDC's Roy Bennett salvage Zimbabwe unity government?

Roy Bennett, a white commercial farmer and top figure in the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC), was acquitted Monday of terrorism charges. He's offered to lower his profile, but can that boost prospects of Zimbabwe's unity government?
Zimbabwe's Tsvangirai rejoins troubled unity government – with conditions

Zimbabwe Prime Minister Tsvangirai , who had withdrawn from the powersharing government after Mugabe arrested a party leader, says he is giving the president 30 days to address oustanding issues. A regional coalition meeting in Mozambique pressed the leaders to resolve their differences..
Can Mutambara save Zimbabwe's power-sharing government?

Zimbabwe's Deputy Prime Minister Arthur Mutambara portrayed himself as a mediator while decrying the obstinance of President Robert Mugabe and opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai.
Zimbabwe's Tsvangirai asks region to rein in Mugabe

Days after he 'disengaged' from his country's unity government, Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai flew to Mozambique today as part of a regional tour for support.
Tsvangirai: Zimbabwe's MDC 'disengaging' from unity government

Zimbabwe Prime Minister Tsvangirai announced that his party will boycott meetings with President Mugabe's ZANU-PF party until they resolve their differences. Mugabe foe Bennett was released from jail on bail today after being detained Wednesday.
EU visit widens Zimbabwe split

A top ally of President Robert Mugabe said the European Union 'wants to undermine the inclusive government.' Meanwhile, the opposition party is considering pulling out of the fragile coalition.
African leaders embrace Mugabe at SADC summit

The group's soft approach to Zimbabwe's president disappoints many, but some say it may be more effective in engaging him.
Zuma says Zimbabwe making progress

The South African president said Zimbabwe's young national unity government is working, despite recent bickering over powersharing.
Will Zuma get tough with Mugabe?

Expectations for a shift in the relationship between the two nations are high as the South African president makes his first official trip to Zimbabwe today.
Could 'land grab' by Tsvangirai's niece overshadow Zimbabwe progress?

Britain pledged $8.2 million in aid after Prime Minister Gordon Brown held a landmark meeting with Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai on Monday, but an attempt by Tsvangirai's niece to take over a white-owned farm is causing a stir back home.
Will Bashir's visit hamper Zimbabwe's pleas for aid?

As Zimbabwe's Prime Minister embarks for Europe and the US to ask for more aid, Sudan's President Omar al-Bashir – who is wanted for war crimes – was hosted by Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe.
Zimbabwe's 100-day plan to lift economic embargo, court donors

The government says it will ease media ban as part of an effort to reengage with the West. But the US and Europe are dubious.