President Zuma Will Now Serve as Zimbabwe’s Mediator

President Jacob Zuma has taken over as the regional mediator in Zimbabwe’s political crisis. His predecessor, Thabo Mbeki, was mistrusted by Zimbabwe’s prime minister, Morgan Tsvangirai. Mr. Tsvangirai said he believed that Mr. Mbeki was biased in favor of President Robert Mugabe.

According to a statement from Mr. Zuma’s office, he appointed a new Zimbabwe team: Charles Nquakula, his political adviser; Mac Maharaj, his special envoy; and Lindiwe Zulu, his international relations adviser. The team will visit Zimbabwe soon and report back to Mr. Zuma, above.




Mr. Mugabe and Mr. Tsvangirai have been in a power-sharing government since February, but Mr. Mugabe and his party, ZANU-PF, have sent state security forces to arrest and jail rival politicians, human rights lawyers and civic leaders.


* NY Times