Summit bids to end Mugabe impasse
Founded: 1980
Member countries: Angola, Botswana, DR Congo, Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe
Aims: Development, economic growth, regional integration, common political values and systems, promote peace and security
Role in Zimbabwe: Appointed South African President Thabo Mbeki to mediate in 2007 - new election law agreed but MDC later said talks had failed; sent election monitors for recent polls
admin @ April 12, 2008