Masipula Sithole, a political science teacher at the University of Zimbabwe, said of the Durban indaba, which was to be attended by Zimbabwe Finance Minister Simba Makoni:
"Zimbabwe’s governance is the test case for NEPAD. It is a big blow and challenge to NEPAD and its leaders who must demonstrate whether they mean what they say.
"I don’t think South Africa and Nigeria are prepared to sacrifice the plan to save Zimbabwe. We have reached a stage where Zimbabwe either has to own up over its human rights record or faces increased sanctions and condemnation even from South Africa and Nigeria."
Until this week’s NEPAD summit, Zimbabwe’s attendance at these meetings has been low key, involving mostly junior government officials.
Mugabe has not publicly commented on NEPAD, but state-run radio and television last week said it would be unacceptable for the plan to "sacrifice" Zimbabwe at the altar of Western aid.
Without saying so in many words, it suggested that such financial support should be rejected because it would be aimed at dictating policies to a sovereign state.
"Zimbabwe’s governance is the test case for NEPAD. It is a big blow and challenge to NEPAD and its leaders who must demonstrate whether they mean what they say.
"I don’t think South Africa and Nigeria are prepared to sacrifice the plan to save Zimbabwe. We have reached a stage where Zimbabwe either has to own up over its human rights record or faces increased sanctions and condemnation even from South Africa and Nigeria."
Until this week’s NEPAD summit, Zimbabwe’s attendance at these meetings has been low key, involving mostly junior government officials.
Mugabe has not publicly commented on NEPAD, but state-run radio and television last week said it would be unacceptable for the plan to "sacrifice" Zimbabwe at the altar of Western aid.
Without saying so in many words, it suggested that such financial support should be rejected because it would be aimed at dictating policies to a sovereign state.