Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe has failed to show up at the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Double Troika Summit held in Gaborone today. According to the Patriot newspaper on Sunday, this is the first time Mugabe has failed to attend SADC meeting and has raised suspicion that the 91-year-old Zimbabwean President might not be well.
Recently Western Media has revealed that Mugabe had heart attack while on holiday something that was rebutted by the Zimbabwean authorities.
Mugabe is the past immediate chairperson of SADC, having handed over to President Ian Khama last year. No immediate explanation was offered by SADC Secretariat on Mugabe’s absence or even his representative.
Botswana President Ian Khama is hosting five SADC heads of state for an extra-ordinary summit of the Double Troika at the Gaborone International Convention Centre (GICC).
The summit is reviewing the political and security situation in the region with particular focus on Lesotho.
The summit is in response to SADC member states’ concern over the deteriorating political and security situation in Lesotho.
Former commander Brigadier Mahao was reportedly shot and killed outside his farm members of Lesotho who had gone to arrest him for mutiny.
SADC was forced to intervene; hence establishment of a Botswana judge, Justice Mpaphi Phumaphi led commission to probe Brigadier Mahao.
The following leaders are attending the summit: President of Botswana Seretse Khama Ian Khama (Chair), President of South Africa Jacob Zuma, President of Mozambique Filipe Nyusi, Prime Minister of Tranzania Kassim Majaliwa, Prime Minister of Barnabas Sibusiso Dlamini, Deputy President of South Africa Cyril Ramaphosa, Zimbabwe Minister of Foreign Affairs Simbarashe Mumbengegwi.
The Double Troika is made up of Botswana, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, South Africa, Tanzania and Swaziland.
Source: StarAfrica
