Thabo Mbeki on Zimbabwe

Thabo Mbeki, during his presidency, adopted a policy of non-confrontational "quiet diplomacy" towards the escalating political and economic crisis in neighboring Zimbabwe under Robert Mugabe's rule. This stance involved refusing to condemn the ZANU-PF regime or implement sanctions, instead focusing on persuading Mugabe to accept gradual political reforms through mediation. Mbeki's approach, sometimes referred to as the "Mbeki doctrine," was rooted in an unwavering determination to respect the right of Zimbabweans to determine their own future and was deeply opposed to any external force, including South Africa, imposing solutions or pursuing regime change.

This policy attracted widespread domestic and international criticism, with opponents arguing it was passive and destructive, especially after South African observer missions endorsed contested election results. However, Mbeki maintained that his engagement, which included publicly criticizing some Zimbabwean actions, was the only contribution that would not lead to an end in dialogue, contrasting his approach with Western preference for regime change. Despite the controversy, he successfully mediated the 2008 Global Political Agreement power-sharing deal between ZANU-PF and the opposition MDC.