SOUTH Africa wants Western countries to lift the illegal economic sanctions they imposed on Zimbabwe.
The Sadc appointed facilitator to the inter-party dialogue is also pressing

on parties in the inclusive Government to speed up resolution of the outstanding issues and hold elections.
“It’s not just Zimbabwe that’s saying the sanctions are not working. The entire continent is saying that,” Ms

Lindiwe Zulu, South African President Jacob Zuma’s foreign policy advisor told Reuters on Thursday.
Ms Zulu leads Mr Zuma’s backroom team assisting with among Zimbabwe’s team of negotiators.
“Now the challenge for us is to speed up the process and have a result that is lasting, or to make sure whatever decisions are implemented, are things that the Zimbabweans themselves must honour,” said Ms

Zulu.

South Africa is the country most affected by the effects of the illegal sanctions imposed on Zimbabwe.
Ms Zulu admitted that forcing change would not solve Zimbabwe’s underlying problems or bring a stable “democracy.”

“The fact that the Global Political Agreement does not have an endless life span is pushing them to realise that they don't have the luxury of time anymore,” said Ms Zulu.

Zanu-PF wants the elections to be held this year, while the MDC formations want them sometime next year.
“We do not want to see a repetition of the 2008 scenario. We know what it looked like. It is a lesson for Zimbabweans themselves to ensure it does not repeat,” Ms Zulu said.

The 2008 March harmonised election failed to produce a clear winner, leading to a rerun that was won by President Mugabe. — Reuters/Herald Reporter