JOHANNESBURG, Nov. 15 (Xinhua) -- South African President Jacob Zuma on Wednesday expressed concern at the volatile political situation in Zimbabwe, urging all actors to resolve it in a peaceful manner.
South Africa is the current chair of the Southern African Development Community (SADC).
"The President has urged the government of the republic of Zimbabwe and the Zimbabwe Defence Force to resolve the political impasse amicably and has urged the Zimbabwean Defence Force to ensure that the maintenance of peace and security in the country is not compromised," Zuma said.
"SADC will continue to closely monitor the situation and remains ready to assist where necessary to resolve the political impasse in keeping with established SADC Protocols and processes," he added.
Zuma calls for calm and restraint and expresses hope that there will be no coup in Zimbabwe, which he says would be in conflict with the positions of both the SADC and the African Union. He says the former will monitor the situation and stands ready to help resolve it.
Zimbabwe's military said it had seized power in a targeted assault on "criminals" around President Robert Mugabe who were causing social and economic suffering, but gave assurances the 93-year-old leader and his family were "safe and sound."
