Chairperson, when one looks at the human rights record on the African continent in general, one has to look down with shame because it is appalling. There is sufficient evidence to prove that most African leaders pay lip service to human rights and that they are allowed to get away with it.
The African Union and SADC have failed our people, particularly the people of Zimbabwe, by protecting and defending dictators such as President Mugabe and President al-Bashir, rather than demanding that they respect the rule of law, justice, democracy and human rights in their countries.
As Zimbabwe is on the verge of sliding back into chaos, the ACDP urges SADC leaders to show some political muscle and will by calling for an urgent regional summit to help save the fragile Zimbabwean coalition. We agree with leading political analyst and University of Zimbabwe lecturer Eldred Masunungure who said: "... if SADC has any conscience still left, it should move swiftly to salvage what is left of the unity government."
We call on African leaders to stop paying lip service to human rights and start setting a good example for their people to follow. Thank you.