afrol News, 14 March - The obvious torture of Zimbabwe's opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai and tens of activists seems to have finally changed the mood among African leaders that so far have supported President Robert Mugabe. South Africa is issuing a protest and the African Union (AU) is embarrassed.
The images of a beaten and tortured Zimbabwean opposition leader went worldwide and sent a clear message that the Mugabe regime had lost all inhibitions when it comes to treat the volatile situation in the country. The expected harsh reactions from non-African leaders came immediately, as always leaving President Mugabe unimpressed.
During today, however, it became clear that the Harare government also had crossed the line with African leaders. The images of Mr Tsvangirai - also broadcasted in most African countries - made President Mugabe unsustainable.
For the first time, the South African government and the ruling ANC party both released statements that could be read as clear protests. Deputy Foreign Minister Aziz Pahad expressed South Africa's "concerns" about the "the arrests, detention and reported assault of some opposition leaders."
"Pursuant to this objective, South Africa urges the Zimbabwean government to ensure that the rule of law including respect for rights of all Zimbabweans and leaders of various political parties is respected," the Pretoria government said in a clear message to President Mugabe.
Even the ANC, which has strong historic ties to Mr Mugabe's ruling ZANU-PF party, was left no other option than protesting "reports of the alleged assault of opposition leaders while in police custody." Party spokesman Smuts Ngonyama added that "the ANC trusts that a thorough investigation will be conducted into these allegations, and that any necessary action be taken in accordance with the law."
South African press reports also clearly indicate that President Thabo Mbeki has ordered leaving his government's "quiet diplomacy" strategy on Zimbabwe, which is now seen as a failed effort. President Mbeki reportedly told his Zimbabwean colleague that he would not accept political turmoil across the border when South Africa is to arrange the Football World Cup in 2010 - which is the same time as Mr Mugabe now plans to step down.
Other neighbours - including democracies such as Botswana, Mozambique and Zambia - still are uncertain on how to react to the situation. While the public and an increasing number of parliamentarians demand tough protests, governments are still waiting for a coordinated move by an equally confused Southern African Development Community (SADC).
At an even higher level, the new African Union (AU) chairman, Ghana's President John Kufuor, however has made it clear that patience with the Mugabe regime has finished. "The African Union is very uncomfortable. The situation in your country is very embarrassing," Mr Kufuor told Zimbabweans questioning him while on a state visit in Britain.
"I know personally that presidents like Olusegun Obasanjo, from Nigeria, Thabo Mbeki from South Africa and others have tried desperately to exercise some influence for the better. But they came against stiff resistance," the AU leader added, demonstrating he had no problem speaking up in public against Mr Mugabe.
The Zimbabwean ruler never has been this much isolated, neither within his country nor in Africa. Pressure on Mr Mugabe to retire in 2008, when his current presidential term runs out, will only increase.
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