Global News Journal
Beyond the World news headlines
from Africa News blog:
Should West back Zimbabwe’s government?
The United Nations has joined Zimbabwe’s power-sharing government in appealing for more than $700 million in humanitarian aid for the ruined country.
But while Western countries may show willing when it comes to emergency aid, they are still reluctant to give money to the government between President Robert Mugabe and Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai, his old rival.
First, they say, there must be broader political reforms and a clearer demonstration of respect for human rights.
The Western countries have long been at odds with Mugabe, accusing him of ruining Zimbabwe after the seizure of white-owned farms, of widespread human rights abuses and of making a mockery of elections last year that were widely condemned outside Zimbabwe.
But if those countries don’t come up with the finance that the government needs, some believe there is a danger it could undermine prospects for change rather than strengthening them.
"My advice is for the international community to engage Zimbabwe as the opposite of this will only benefit hardliners," Tsvangirai told a visiting French minister last week.
The unity government has said it won more than $1 billion in promised credit lines from African banks for private firms, but says it needs more than $8 billion for reconstruction.
from Africa News blog:
Sign of change in Zimbabwe?
President Robert Mugabe joined the mourning for Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai's wife on Tuesday and called on Zimbabweans to end violence and support his old rival to help rebuild the country.
The death of Susan Tsvangirai in a road crash in which her husband was also injured has, at least on the surface, brought about a show of unity between Zimbabwe’s bitterest foes that might never have looked possible.
"This is a difficult moment for our colleague. He has lost a partner and we must all rally to support him and lessen his burden,” Mugabe told mourners at the service for the woman who supported Tsvangirai through years of political struggle against him.
"To our supporters, we want to say violence should stop. That's what (Mrs) Tsvangirai would have wanted, for us to co-exist peacefully. We have just started a new life after years of fighting each other and insulting each other. We have said let's give peace and harmony a chance and work together."
Many Zimbabweans were suspicious of the cause of Friday’s crash, the month after Mugabe and Tsvangirai had formed a unity government that has been mired in disagreements over appointments, economic policy and the detention of activists and supporters of long time opposition leader Tsvangirai.
Tsvangirai himself, however, has ruled out foul play in the car crash - putting it down to an accident on one of Zimbabwe’s dangerously potholed roads.
Tsvangirai's oldest son Edwin thanked Mugabe for his speech.
To A T Musonza – Yes, Zimbabwe will be rebuilt, but what Mugabe has destroyed in nine years will take fifty or more years to rebuild. All for the sake of keeping a murderous and genocidal dictator and his meglomaniacal ego in power! Your children will not be alive to see it, and perhaps not even their children. In the meantime those that do survive will live miserable lives of hunger, poverty and disease, and die young.
Meanwhile Mugabe and his cronies that caused this disaster live a life in fantastic luxury, Grace spends enough to feed 100 Zimbabweans for a year in one single shopping trip, and Gideon Gono gets fatter by the minute!
from Africa News blog:
Will Zimbabwe power-share work?
Zimbabwe's opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai became the new prime minister on Wednesday, sworn in by President Robert Mugabe -- his old political rival.
Tsvangirai vowed to rescue the stricken economy and called on the international community to help salvage the economy of Zimbabwe where unemployment is above 90 percent, prices double every day and half the 12 million population need food aid.
The new unity government will also have to grapple with a cholera epidemic that has killed nearly 3,500 people, the worst outbreak of the disease in Africa in 15 years. Millions of Zimbabweans who fled the country will be cautious about coming back until they see results.
Foreign investors and Western donors have made it clear money will come only when a new democratic government is formed and bold economic reforms are taken - such as reversing nationalisation policies.
What are the prospects for the unity government given the historic animosity between Mugabe and Tsvangirai, the shear scale of Zimbabwe's economic collapse and the ongoing detention of opposition activists?
Crunch time for Zimbabwe
Southern African leaders have decided at a summit that Zimbabwe should form a unity government next month but the opposition said it was disappointed with the outcome, raising doubts over chances for ending the crisis.
The 15-nation SADC grouping said after the meeting in South Africa – its fifth attempt to secure a deal on forming a unity government – it had agreed that opposition MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai should be sworn in as prime minister by Feb. 11.
All parties agreed control of the hotly disputed Home Affairs Ministry, which has been a major obstacle to a final agreement, should be divided between President Robert Mugabe’s ZANU-PF party and Tsvangirai’s MDC for six months, said South African President Kgalema Motlanthe.
But the MDC quickly issued a statement after the SADC communique was read out, making clear its disappointment and raising the possibility that deadlock would drag on as Zimbabweans face growing economic hardship. The MDC said its national council would meet this weekend to define its position on the summit.
SADC said ministers would be sworn in on Feb. 13, which would “conclude the process of the formation of the inclusive government”. Allocation of ministries would be reviewed six months after the inauguration of the government, it added.
Mugabe, in power since 1980, and his ZANU-PF party have urged the opposition to join a unity government but say they will not hesitate to form one without them.
As the dispute drags on, prices are doubling every day. Food and fuel are in short supply and the local currency has been rendered virtually worthless. The death toll from a cholera epidemic has neared 2,900.
The first thing I would say is that this deal will never work. It is nothing more that another half hearted attempt by SADC to resolve a crisis which they are to a large extent to blame. Abductions, beatings, total disregard for the rule of law, economic decisions based political expediency are the order of the day in Zimbabwe and will remain so. I cannot see a meeting of the minds between the MDC and Zanu. Mugabe quite frankly is clincally insane and his interest lies only in trying to salvage something of his image for the sake of posterity. Something along the lines of “hundreds of thousands of people died, the country is economically ruined and politically isolated….but I, with my 7 degrees, was right”. Even if he is right about all those fantastical claims floating around that paranoid mind, I don’t think even the sheepish and die hard zanu pf loyalists could argue that it would be nothing more than a pyrric victory for him. A case of ego massaging above the welfare of his people. Well done and congratulations on a hollow victory!
I think everyone agrees that Zimababwe is now a failed state. Unfortunately the next few months will involved more of the same old political wrangling and banana republic policies as opposed to tackling the mountain of problems the country is facing. The power sharing “government” will collapse, elections will be called which I can guarantee Mugabe will not lose again.
So where does that leave Zimbabwe? The answer goes back to the root problem here of who is to blame for this mess. To my mind the people of Zimbabwe, however brutalised by this regieme, need to stand up and be counted. They have let this little man with dubious credientals, morph into the monster that he is today. As citizens of Zimbabwe it was, and indeed remains your duty to take back your country for your own sake and the sake of your children. Mugabe is not Zimbabwean he is the Anti-Zimbabwean. The West will not help you and African countries/regional groupings are impotent in the matter. I would however give a word of caution here. The now accepted African policy of undermining the democratic will of the people by advocating the formation of power sharing governments can only result in the clubbing together of despotic leaders propping each other up. Democracy is dying in Africa. Act fast before its too late.
Zimbabwe sinking fast
From a distance it is always hard to picture just how hard life is in Zimbabwe and to imagine how much worse it can get. For so long we have been writing about economic collapse, inflation statistics beyond comprehension, the fact that at least a quarter of the country has fled to seek work abroad and that life expectancy has tumbled.
Commentators have long spoken of the dangers of a possible ‘meltdown’. The signs of what that might look like have grown stronger this week.
The death toll from the worst cholera epidemic in recent records is near 500 – and possibly double – with shortages of water in Harare and elsewhere and a health system hopelessly ill equipped to cope. Not so long ago, one of the region’s more prosperous countries would probably have been able to prevent an outbreak of cholera and would certainly have been able to treat it.
Unprecedented clashes on Monday between what the army described as “indisciplined” soldiers and Zimbabweans have added to fears the situation could get out of hand. The army understandably said it was worried by the troubles, put down by police. As too many other African countries have found out, angry soldiers can prove a danger to everyone.
Banks are so short of cash that queuing for almost worthless notes has become a full time occupation for some of those lucky enough to – in theory at least – have jobs. But the amount of cash the banks can give out each day is often not enough to buy a loaf of bread.
President Robert Mugabe’s government says the health system and economy are foundering because of sanctions imposed by Western powers it says are trying to oust him for seizing thousands of white-owned farms and redistributing the land to black Zimbabweans.
Mugabe’s critics, such as opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai, say it is his policies that have ruined Zimbabwe.
who cares about the politics! speak to an average zimbabwean who has to cross illegally into another country to feed their families! white farmers, land siezures, abductions, food shortages, cholera, mob like military control, restrictions on foreign press. it will get worse! it is getting worse. neighbouring countries prepare for an attack on their borders by a mad mugabe who see’s his neighbours harbouring the oppostion and training militia! the man is a lunatic! argue all u want about how it was started and about race and the colour of your own skin! since when does the colour of your skin determine your nationality? white farmers who held citizenship for generations having their land stolen from them! because they were white??? zim floated on britains back becoming a strong african country! the regime changes and power is handed back and what happens??? someone please tell me? do you see those farms producing anything because i sure don’t! but it is beside the point! there is nothing to be done about zim, aid doesn’t reach the joe plod on the street,illegal immigrants are rounded up everyday in other countries and are dumped in camps on the other side of the border! talking politics is like a rocking chair fun to do when your bored but not going to get you anywhere! all african leaders need to take their heads out of the sand and take a stand against mugabe! it affects the whole sothern african region! south africa says mugabe is a fellow african brother and must be supported! supported while he destroys his country and kills his own people???? the rest pretend like there is nothing happening just over their border!!! king bob is over 80 years old, he is now the only thing standing between his generals and army facing charges of war crimes. he has gone from being another african dictator to a puppet diguising something much worse to come. give it time and it won’t be mugabe you are arguing about but his generals and uncontrollable militant force who will finally destroy zimbabwe. i am a true african and fear for the lives of those stupid enough to remain in Zim! i fear for my own country which borders zim, how long will it take before their crisis spills into my own back garden?
Where now for Zimbabwe?
It was not hard to see which of Zimbabwe’s rivals felt he had come out on top from the regional summit at the weekend.
President Robert Mugabe described the leaders as “persuasive”. Opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai said he was “shocked and saddened”.
Leaders of the Southern African Development Community demanded immediate implementation of Zimbabwe’s power-sharing deal and said the rivals should share the powerful Home Affairs ministry to end weeks of deadlock – a proposal quickly rejected by Tsvangirai.
The web site, http://www.arrestNKUNDAnow.org , provides information about war crimes and crimes against humanity committed by troups under Nkunda ‘s command since 2002 . The website is also launching a petition calling on concerned people around the world to demand that MONUC immediately arrest Nkunda for war crimes and crimes against humanity. The U.N.’s biggest peacekeeping mission will soon be over 20,000 in Congo “must ensure that those responsible for serious violations of human rights and international humanitarian laws are brought to justice” said Mr. Kyubwa.
Nkunda is accused of multiple war crimes and crimes against humanity of which most cases are well documented by various human right organzations including Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch. In September 2005, the Congolese government issued an arrest warrant for Nkunda, accusing him of numerous war crimes and crimes against human rights. Human Rights Watch, for example, which has been calling for his arrest for war crimes and crimes against humanity since February 2006 has documented summary executions, torture and rape committed by soldiers under the command of Nkunda in Bukavu in 2004 and in Kisangani in 2002. Also armed groups loyal to warlord Nkunda have been repeatedly accused of using rape as a weapon of war and the recruitment of child soldiers, some as young as 12 after the abduction from their homes.
According to Mr. Kyubwa, NKunda continues to be involved in the committing of crimes in DRC, and in particular in the province of North Kivu, where again groups armed acting under his command are reportedly responsible for killing civilian systematically in the town of Kiwanja. The continuing horrific killing of civilians testifies that Human Rights Watch was absolutely reasonable in its warning then in 2006 and it’s today. “So long as Nkunda is at large, the civilian population remains at grave risk”
The website http://www.arrestNKUNDAnow.org encourages concerned people around the world to sign a petition to demand that MONUC immediately arrest Nkunda for war crimes and crimes against humanity. For more information please call the project coordinator in the United States , Amede Kyubwa at (916) 753 5717 or email: arrestkundanow@hotmail.com
Will Zimbabwe deal ever work?
Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe has sworn in two vice-presidents ahead of talks on power-sharing. He has also allocated important ministries to his ZANU-PF parties.
It’s a familiar pattern.
Mugabe imposes his will and MorganTsvangirai’s opposition cries foul.
Will former South African President Thabo Mbeki be able to mediate a breakthrough? After being ousted as president by his ANC party, he might not be so confident to be seen walking hand in hand with Mugabe at the airport as he has in the past.
As every twist and turn in the talks is analysed, the word endangered is increasingly used. Endangered talks.
But what about ordinary Zimbabweans? They seem more endangered every time the formation of a cabinet is delayed by accusations flying from one side to another.
What chance for Zimbabwe’s deal?
There have been so many swings from optimism to pessimism and back again, that Zimbabweans might find it hard to believe there finally appears to be a power-sharing deal after two months of talks.
According to both sides, President Robert Mugabe has agreed to share power with opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai after 28 years of rule that concentrated power in his own hands.
The details are not clear yet, but it appears to be something of a coup for South African President Thabo Mbeki, whose critics had long said he was too soft on Mugabe.
As Martin Rupiyah, Director of African Research at Cranfield University in Britain, put it, though “I don’t think we are out of the woods yet,” pointing in particular to uncertainty over the role of the powerful security forces.
Plenty of questions remain – not least over how two men who have long made their animosity plain might be able to work together.
What do you think the chances of success are? Who will be the real winner? Will this be able to pull Zimbabwe out of its catastrophic decline?
Hazel Maronga
Your comments above expressed the precise position every Zimbabwean is in: we live in hope against hope! We all hope and pray that the deal will delivery on the economic recovery, etc., etc. But it is hope against hope because deep inside know there are good reasons why we are setting ourselves for yet another disappointment.
The chief reason why the present political arrangement will end in tears for ordinary Zimbabweans is the people were political powerless before the Deal and they still are now. The country has sunk into these nightmarish depths politically and economically because the people could not hold the country’s leaders to account. The deal has not changed anything!
In the deal Mugabe, grudgingly, conceded some power to Tsvangirai. He did not give an inch to the people. Mugabe has always treated the Zimbabwe electorate as fools who could not be trusted with the exercise of basic rights such as freedom of expression much less a meaningful vote. There is not a single clause in the deal where one could say power was conceded to the ordinary man and woman.
Tsvangirai does have to say it out, but he too has a very low opinion the Zimbabwe public. Tsvangirai agreed to the shutting out the Zimbabwe public completely throughout the negotiations.
Important decisions affecting our lives have always been made by a select few without an serious attempt to allow us to have a say. We have to hope the select few will serve our interests although we know they have never ever done so- indeed that is why they do not want to be held to account!
Is the balance shifting in Zimbabwe?
This week’s reopening of Zimbabwe’s parliament had been seen by many as a show of defiance by President Robert Mugabe against an opposition that has so far rejected terms of a power-sharing deal that appear more acceptable to the veteran leader and to at least some of his regional counterparts.
But it may not have gone quite to plan.
The election of the parliamentary speaker chosen by the main opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) came in spite of efforts by Mugabe’s ZANU-PF to bring in the candidate of the breakaway MDC faction. Members of that faction appear to have sided with opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai rather than their own party leadership.
Then Mugabe faced unprecedented boos and jeers as he delivered his speech at the reopening of parliament, where ZANU-PF has lost its majority for the first time since independence from Britain in 1980. Mugabe nonetheless said he was optimistic that a power-sharing deal would be reached.
Is there a shift in the balance of power in Zimbabwe? What might it all mean for talks and for chances of an agreement that could help to revive the stricken country?
You are all obsessed with Zimbabwe because you are all so greedy that you will do anything not to give back the land you stole from Zimbabwes through rape, genocide, and aparttheid.
Yes, Zimbabwe has problems but there are many African countris that have worse problems. This blanket coverage of Zimbabwe is intended to serve your selfish interests. You do not care about Africans. Otherwise, you would not starve millions of black Africans with economic sanctions for the benefit of a few thousand whites.
There is nothing wrong with a blog about Zimbabwe (where about 100 people have died despite your lies of torture, terror). What is wrong is posting 100 blogs about Zimbabwe while saying nothing about Ethiopia, Somalia, Congo, etc where tens of thousands of people are dying.
There is near-genocide in the Ogaden region of Ethiopia, US-backed Ethiopian troops are slaughtering Africans in Somalia, up to 5 million people have died in the Congo, tens of thousands have died in Alegeria. There are far more brural dictators in Libya, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Uganda, ets.
Why the disproportional focus on Zimbabwe? Why the blanket coverage of Zimbabwe on CNN, BBC, Reuters and no word about the Africans dying in greater numbers in other areas?
I know a lot of Zimbabweans are genuinely concerned about the situation in Zimbabwe, but I also see a greater number of greedy hypocrites pretending to love Zimbabwe because they cannot come to terms with the fact that the natives are taking their land back. That is the reason for these crocodile tears on scores of blogs about Zimbabwe.
Should Tsvangirai abandon poll?
It’s decision time again for Morgan Tsvangirai.
With violence spreading and African countries joining the ranks of those who say Zimbabwe’s election run-off cannot be fair, the opposition leader is considering whether to withdraw – which would leave President Robert Mugabe to continue his 28 year rule unchallenged.
Talk is still doing the rounds that South Africa’s President Thabo Mbeki has been trying to get the sides to call off the election and form a national unity government, but progress seems limited at best. South Africa’s Star newspaper said Mugabe rejected the proposal.
“It would be very difficult because neither side would want to be the junior partner,” commented Knox Chitiyo, head of the Africa programme at the Royal United Services Institute in London, to Reuters.
So what would Tsvangirai gain if he pulled out of the election? His Movement for Democratic Change has been claiming moral victories for years, but Mugabe is still firmly in State House. If Tsvangirai withdrew now, would it encourage the region and the world to take stronger action? Could they do anything anyway? If he took part and lost would that make his position even worse?
What do you think?
I am a zimbabwean living in South Africa. I fled Zim during Mugabe’s regime and I cant wait to go back to my country with my family. But if Tvangirai pulls out of Friday polls my dream will never be a reality. Mugabe in an obnoxious arrogant man who has no man to please but himself. The future of Zim is doomed so far as the man is not stripped of power.
I do not think the west should back the Zimbabwean government. The cause of Zimbabwe’s problems is the governments habit of stealing everything within sight and hearing, and if given my taxes, they will steal them too! We have been and are continuing to be extravagantly generous in supporting the Zimbabwean people although this disaster is what they fought and voted for. If they want yet more money, they should apply to our enemies whom they so whole-heartedly support.