AU urges Zimbabwe to address political crisis lawfully

Harare, Nov 16 (IANS) The African Union (AU) has called on the stakeholders in Zimbabwe to address the current political impasse in accordance with the country's constitution.

AU Commission Chairperson Moussa Faki Mahamat said in a statement on Wednesday the AU was closely monitoring developments in Zimbabwe after the military seized power from the government on early Wednesday morning, Xinhua reported.

"I urge all stakeholders to address the current situation in accordance with the Constitution of Zimbabwe and the relevant instruments of the African Union, including the African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance," Mahamat said.

He stressed that the crisis should be resolved in a manner that promotes democracy, human rights and socio-economic development of the country.

He also expressed the AU's commitment to work with the Southern African Development Community (SADC) to ensure peaceful resolution of the crisis.

South African President Jacob Zuma, on behalf of SADC, has issued a statement expressing SADC's grave concern over the political situation in Zimbabwe and urged both the Zimbabwean government and the military to resolve the political crisis amicably.

Zuma on Wednesday dispatched an envoy to turmoil-hit Harare to hold discussions with the military and Zimbabwean President Mugabe, who is reportedly under house arrest.