Zimbabwe sanctions opposed

Mudenge welcomed "African solidarity"

		By the BBC's Barnaby Phillips

Southern African ministers have said they do not support sanctions against Zimbabwe, despite the worsening political crisis in that country.

Malawi's foreign minister, leading a team of regional ministers on a visit to the Zimbabwean capital, Harare, said they had come as friends because they were greatly concerned about the situation in Zimbabwe.

No smart sanctions will affect us alone without affecting our neighbours

Stan Mudenge, Zimbabwe Foreign Minister

This comes as the opposition Movement for Democratic Change wins a mayoral election in Chegutu, 100 kilometres (62 miles) west of Harare.

African governments are continuing to adopt a cautious approach to the Zimbabwean crisis.

Malawi's Foreign Minister, Lilian Patel, speaking on behalf of the Southern African Development Community, said the situation needs a careful and mature approach.

She said sanctions are not an option, despite worsening human rights abuses and diminishing prospects that presidential elections due early next year can be held under fair conditions.

Take heart

The Zimbabwean Government is using the visit to emphasise African solidarity. The Foreign Minister, Stan Mudenge, launched a characteristic attack on the former colonial power, Britain.

But it is the United States which has taken the most decisive action against Zimbabwe.

Last week the House of Representatives endorsed a bill proposing sanctions against President Robert Mugabe's government.

On Monday the main opposition party, the MDC, recorded a small but significant victory, announcing that its candidate had won the election for the position of mayor in Chegutu.

The turn-out was low, but the MDC will take heart from a victory in an area considered a stronghold of President Mugabe.