EU says "unilateral appointments" of Zimbabwe ambassadors is serious matter

[News_Editor]

EU says "unilateral appointments" of Zimbabwe ambassadors is serious matter

2010-10-14 01:47:04 GMT+7 (ICT)

BRUSSELS (BNO NEWS) -- The European Union on Wednesday expressed its great concern over the "unilateral appointments" of Zimbabwe ambassador by President Robert Mugabe after Prime Minister Tsvangirai informed about the situation.

"It is important that the ambassadors be fully empowered to speak on behalf of the whole government," said a spokesperson for EU's High Representative Catherine Ashton.

On Monday, PM Morgan Tsvangirai wrote to the leaders of the United Nations and the European Union requesting to not recognize the envoys unilaterally appointed by Mugabe. He also informed South Africa President Jacob Zuma and Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi over the situation.

Under the global political agreement (GPA) that created the Zimbabwean government between the two political rivals, the Prime Minister must be consulted on all appointments. The EU said that it supported the GPA and thus is greatly concerned on the issue.

Tsvangirai said that the appointments were unconstitutional, null and void and further declared that no member of his party and ministers recognized the appointees as legitimate Zimbabwe officials. The PM added that they can't legitimately exercise any authority on behalf of government or the state.

The accusations threaten the stability and continuity of the coalition government. Over the past 20 months, Tsvangirai has feuded with Mugabe on naming provincial governors, ambassadors, the central bank chief and attorney general.

The ambassadors that Tsvangirai demanded to be ignored are Phelekezela Mphoko (South Africa), James Manzou (UN Geneva), Mary Mubaiwa (Italy), Steven Chiketa (Sweden), Chitsaka Chipaziwa (UN, New York) and Margaret Muchada (European communities, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Belgium).

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