Zimbabwe NGO Attacks Mugabe, AU Leaders Over Human Rights ViolationsThe Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition says President Robert Mugabe, who is the chairperson of the African Union and the Southern African Development Community, has so far failed to address human rights violations in Zimbabwe and other nations with the alleged abduction of Occupy Africa Unity Square leader, Itai Dzamara, seriously denting his political image. In a statement released today, a few days before the 25th African Union Heads of State and Government Summit in South Africa, the organization said human rights violations continue in Zimbabwe, Swaziland, Burundi, Lesotho and other African states without being addressed by Mr. Mugabe and his colleagues. It said under the leadership of the 91-year old president, the AU has proved a distinct failure to systematically and proactively confront the multitude of woes afflicting African people. “The continuous deployment of brute force as a way of dealing with citizens’ genuine grievances signifies the extent to which President Mugabe, aged 91, is out of touch with the myriad of challenges in his own country. Quite remarkably, it also proves the failure by his government to provide clear and tangible solutions to an economy battered and bruised by policy ambiguity, policy inconsistency and lack of imagination.” Crisis said for AU Heads of State like President Mugabe to meet in the plush Sandton district and pretend to possess solutions to problems they have created themselves is not only hypocritical but, in actual fact, becomes the embodiment and endorsement of unaccountable leadership and impunity. “Surely, Africa can do better. Therefore, if the famed African Union Agenda 2063 is to become a reality, then the AU itself must begin to show progressive leadership and demand accountability from its own. Otherwise we risk developing yet another framework come 2063 when it becomes apparent that nothing has been achieved.” Crisis further noted efforts being made by the AU in bringing peace and stability in countries like Mali, Libya, the Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of Congo and Madagascar though it said serious problems remain in other nations. For perspective, reporter Tatenda Gumbo spoke with David Monyae, an independent political commentator, and Acting National Coordinator, Joy Mabenge of Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition. Mabenge says African leaders like Mr. Mugabe must provide exemplary leadership in order to resolve problems bedeviling the continent. No media source currently available