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Southern Africa Group Moots Summit As Zimbabwe Stalemate Continues


Under heavy pressure to resolve the deepening political and humanitarian crisis in Zimbabwe, the Southern African Development Community is contemplating another summit seeking a solution, a spokesman for SADC's current chairman said on Thursday.

SADC Chairman and South African President Kgalema Motlanthe has tried to bring Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe and prime minister designate Morgan Tsvangirai together in a government of national unity, but without results so far.

Motlanthe spokesman Thabo Masebe told reporter Blessing Zulu of VOA's Studio 7 for Zimbabwe that SADC officials remain confident a unity government can work.

Top U.S. and British officials have demanded Mr. Mugabe step down, but failed to bring the South African government around to this position despite heavy lobbying.

Amnesty international said in a new report, meanwhile, that Zimbabweans face another tough year in 2009 unless a political settlement is reached.It said about 1,000 children are roaming the streets of Musina, South Africa, alone, having fled dire conditions inside Zimbabwe.

More reports from VOA's Studio 7 for Zimbabwe...

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