As continuing differences threaten to explode between Zanu (PF) and the MDC parties over the COPAC draft constitution, civic activists are focusing on preparations for the 17 and 18 August SADC Summit in Maputo.

Zimbabwe civil society leaders will be in Maputo next week to lobby SADC leaders not to be unduly detained by the constitutional reform debate so as to lose sight of the more fundamental, critical electoral reforms required before Zimbabwe goes to the polls next year.

A Crisis In Zimbabwe spokesman said  the umbrella body for civic NGOs wanted to ensure that the SADC leaders fully implement and enforce their decisions which is the only way stability can be restored to Zimbabwe. These and more stories in the latest Zimbabwe Briefing.

Zimbabweans in the diaspora are also being urged to demonstrate at Mozambican Embassies on August 21 to deliver the message to the incoming chairman of SADC  - Mozambique's Armando Guebuza - that Zimbabwe must not be allowed to miss this opportunity for a free and fair election.

The chairman of the 21st Movement Global Zimbabwe Protest, Den Moyo, told changezimbabwe.com that demonstrations would be co-ordinated in any country where there are Zimbabweans willing to stand up for their rights.

"Our movement invites Zimbabweans and their supporters all over the world to demonstrate on the 21st of every month, to show SADC leaders that the situation in Zimbabwe is getting out of hand and needs their active attention," he said.

"This month we are focusing on Mozambique because of the role that it is expected to play as chairman of the Organ Troika on Security in SADC."