Mugabe’s EU Cheerleader – Zimbabwe Vigil Diary: 21st June 2014
The Zimbabwe Action Forum (ZAF), meeting after the Saturday Vigil, condemned pro-Mugabe comments by the EU’s Ambassador to Harare Aldo Dell’Ariccia. The loud-mouthed diplomat openly showed his colours when he addressed a meeting in Harare. ‘Luckily we don’t have a leadership crisis in this country’, he said, sounding for all the world like Mugabe’s spokesman George Charamba.
Dell’Ariccia went on to rebuke NGOs for being confrontational and unconstructive and added ‘I have the impression that you are a little bit anchored in the past where instead of seeing NGOs one perceives AGOs – anti-government organisations’. The empty-headed envoy went on to condemn civil society for being critical of Zanu PF’s electioneering Zim-Asset plan, which shows no signs of delivering on any of its promises.
The ZAF meeting voted to send the following letter to Dell’Ariccia’s boss Catherine Ashton to complain about his outrageous intervention in Zimbabwe’s domestic affairs:
To the European Union High Representative for Foreign Affairs, Baroness Ashton
Zimbabweans driven into exile are horrified to see that the EU’s Ambassador in Harare has come out openly in support of the illegitimate Mugabe regime.
It appears to us that the EU is bending over backwards to embrace Mugabe despite his refusal to hold free and fair elections or make any reforms to correct the abuses which prompted the EU to adopt its targeted measures against him and his cronies,
We know that the hundred or so diplomats from the EU make up the mainstay of the cocktail circuit in Harare but we cannot believe that they are too busy to inform you of the desperate situation in which our families and friends find themselves.
Unlike your Ambassador to Harare, we do not believe that this situation is being perpetuated by NGOs (or anti-government organisations, as he calls them), or civil society as a whole, let alone the besieged political opposition.
We suggest that you recall Mr Dell’Ariccia for re-education in diplomacy rather than allow him to spend his time cosying up to a tyrant.
Supporters of the Zimbabwe Vigil particularly asked that you should be reminded that, a year on since the rigged elections, the voters’ roll has still not been made available, that there is no rule of law, human rights violations are continuing, the national infrastructure has largely collapsed, including the education and health services, there is rampant corruption and unemployment is at more than 80%.
We draw your attention to a recent report that women, with babies on their backs, are walking 18 kilometres to a rubbish dump to collect gleanings (fat from cooking pots). Returning home they have been attacked and raped by knife-wielding criminals.
Other points
- ZAF convenor Ephraim Tapa told the meeting that it was clear that the European Union was trying to promote the idea that there was no crisis in Zimbabwe. The meeting was presented with some of the ideas emerging from the ZAF working group. In a general discussion the following points were raised: Activating the diaspora was an important part of the work of the ZAF team. It would be sensible to work through ROHR which already has branches around the UK. It would also be important to connect with the diaspora elsewhere, especially in South Africa. It was suggested we engage the SA diaspora by dealing with their immediate problems such as getting papers. Other ideas included that we needed to work out what relationship ZAF, the Vigil, ROHR and ZWC would have with the new political dispensation in Zimbabwe and the need to reach out to the people on the ground in Zimbabwe, education on constitutional rights being a priority.
- Thanks to Fungayi Mabhunu and Tendai Chadehumbe for arriving early to help set up the Vigil.
For latest Vigil pictures check: http://www.flickr.com/photos/zimbabwevigil/. Please note: Vigil photos can only be downloaded from our Flickr website.
FOR THE RECORD: 31 signed the register.
EVENTS AND NOTICES:
- ROHR Reading Branch general meeting. Saturday 28th June from 2 pm – 5 pm. Venue: RISC, 35-39 London St, Reading, Berkshire RG1 4PS. For further enquiries contact: Erick Eluwasi, the Information and Publicity Officer on 07532021348
- ROHR Slough Branch general meeting. Saturday 28th June from 1 pm – 3.30 pm. Venue: Upton Lea Community Hall, Wexham Road, Slough SL2 5JW. For further information contact Patricia Masamba (Chairperson on 07708116625, Nkosikona Tshabangu Vice Chairperson 07887398247, Sharon Zimuto Secretary 07988165394, Fungisai Mupandira 077988958803, Iline Manhunzi Treasurer 07824886092 and Tichaona Mafokosho Information and Publicity 07939696521.
- ROHR Middlesbrough general meeting. Saturday 28th June from 2 pm – 5 pm. Please contact Masimba Musodza(Chairman) 07581887359, Xoliso Sithole (Treasurer) 07449005447, Helen Sibanda (Secretary) 07799574994, Ndumiso Ncube (Organising Secretary) 0744852232.
- Zimbabwe Action Forum (ZAF). Saturday 5th July from 6.15 pm. Venue: Strand Continental Hotel (first floor lounge), 143 Strand, London WC2R 1JA. From the Vigil it’s about a 10 minute walk, in the direction away from Trafalgar Square. The Strand Continental is situated on the south side of the Strand between Somerset House and the turn off onto Waterloo Bridge. The entrance is marked by a sign at street level. It’s between a newsagent and Pizza Express. Nearest underground: Temple (District and Circle lines) and Holborn.
- ROHR Executive Committee meeting. Saturday 5th July from 12 noon. Venue: Strand Continental Hotel (first floor lounge), 143 Strand, London WC2R 1JA.
- ROHR Central London general meeting. Saturday 19th July from 12 noon. Venue: Strand Continental Hotel (first floor lounge), 143 Strand, London WC2R 1JA.
- Zimbabwe Yes We Can meeting. Saturday 26th July at 12 noon. Venue: The Theodore Bullfrog, 26-30 John Adam Street, London WC2N 6HL.
- Zimbabwe Vigil Highlights 2013 can be viewed on this link: http://www.zimvigil.co.uk/vigil-news/campaign-news/560-vigil-highlights-2013. Links to previous years’ highlights are listed on 2013 Highlights page.
- The Restoration of Human Rights in Zimbabwe (ROHR) is the Vigil’s partner organization based in Zimbabwe. ROHR grew out of the need for the Vigil to have an organization on the ground in Zimbabwe which reflected the Vigil’s mission statement in a practical way. ROHR in the UK actively fundraises through membership subscriptions, events, sales etc to support the activities of ROHR in Zimbabwe. Please note that the official website of ROHR Zimbabwe is http://www.rohrzimbabwe.org/. Any other website claiming to be the official website of ROHR in no way represents the views and opinions of ROHR.
- Zimbabwe Yes We Can Movement holds monthly meetings in London as the political face of ROHR and the Vigil.
- The Zimbabwe Action Forum (ZAF) meets twice a month after the Vigil to discuss ways to help those back in Zimbabwe to fight oppression and achieve true democracy
- For the Zimbabwean Diary check: http://www.thezimbabwean.co/entertainment/film-and-theatre/71964/welcome-to-whats-on.html.
- Facebook pages:
– Vigil: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=8157345519&ref=ts
– ZAF: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Zimbabwe-Action-Forum-ZAF/490257051027515
– ROHR: https://www.facebook.co/pages/ROHR-Zimbabwe-Restoration-of-Human-Rights/301811392835
Vigil co-ordinators
The Vigil, outside the Zimbabwe Embassy, 429 Strand, London, takes place every Saturday from 14.00 to 18.00 to protest against gross violations of human rights in Zimbabwe. The Vigil which started in October 2002 will continue until internationally-monitored, free and fair elections are held in Zimbabwe.http:/www.zimvigil.co.uk
COMMENTS
It’s easy now to see why so many people in Britain seem to favour withdrawal from the E.U when they have idiots like that as an ambassador
I applaud and am grateful to the Zimbabwe Vigil for their unending enthusiasm and fortitude and for working tirelessly to bring attention to the desecration of our Country by the odious Zanu regime. If anyone deserves British honours for their selfless work in trying to get justice and put Zimbabwe back on the map for the RIGHT reasons, it is these stalwarts who walk the talk. If I lived in London I would be one of them but, living on a basic pension, I cannot afford the train fares. God bless you – don’t give up!
I agree, 12 years of standing in the rain and snow is not easy!
True patriots the vigil. If its any consolation RSA UK USA sold out our country in 1979 . So what’s new ? Too chicken to do ” proper ” sanctions against mugabesland yet eviscerated the jewel of Africa in 1965. Perfidious albion
It is really amazing how upset anti government organisations get like Vigil when someone is frank and truthful foer a change.
It is correct they should be called AGO’s, in the first human rights case to hit the EUHRC with evidence a week ago, one statement was that there are no human rights groups or organisations left in Zimbabwe, also true as non are apolitical thus the cases before the EU are one missed out as they were against the opposition.
Eventually, the truth will out as is happening right now – The EU ambassador may well have read the cases before the court, hence him being outspoken.
????
PC’s in ingutsheni…WOW.
Can someone please introduce his two brain cells to each other so that they might find something in common to talk about between themselves.
The Zimbabwe that Mugabe has so completely destroyed is also the Zimbabwe which Mugabe had himself made a great contribution to building.
The mass starvation, repression, destitution and destruction he has wrought in Zimbabwe simply to preserve his personal power are the crimes Mugabe has to answer for. He can’t shift responsibility to the former colonial power for his own actions.
It is a poignant feature of his disgrace that the scale of Mugabe’s crimes have now completely dwarfed those of Smith. Ironically Smith was the safest man in Mugabe’s Zimbabwe and his farms have been left unmolested – who says there is no honour amongst racist dictators?
The problem with Mugabe is his long stated desire for one party rule, led by himself, imposed by the gun if necessary. It’s not often that you can lay the blame for almost everything that’s wrong with a country at the door of one man, but in this case Zimbabwean’s most certainly can.
What Ambassador Aldo Del’Arricia should never forget is that the Mugabe regime are masters of propaganda; they will be using the Ambassador’s praise as cover to do a lot of dirty stuff. The regime has already started with the arrest of journalists.
This is a regime that insist it won free and fair elections but will not release the voters roll because it knows it is the smoking gun to the rigged vote but is now going after the editors who reported the salary scandal stories with all guns glazing!
It is OK for Ambassador Aldo Del Arricia to flatter the tyrant; we the ordinary Zimbabweans will have to suffer the consequences of his renewed confidence that the EU will forgive him whatever wrong he does when push comes to shove!
am Praying to God that this Aldo losses his job or is moved elsewhere
Well done ZV. Now we need to get rid of ZPF
Doomsayers, unreformed doomsayers, you do not move with the times!!!! It is no longer fashionable to waste time on regime change!! Europe has since discarded that approach as achaic, old fashioned and lacking in results. What Eurpoe wants now is engangement. These NGOs have got to understand that the world has since changed dramatically and has moved on in such strides as shall need new approached to world affairs. World economic dynamics are no longer as simple as they used to be when wealth was centred in Europe. Economic power is shifting in all directions from Europe and the United States to other emerging powers, China, Russia, Brazil, India and others. The West want to save what little influence they still have left in Zimbabwe and consolidate it. That, certainly is not achieved by regime change agenda. Zanu pf is here to stay, is the government of the day, will win the 2018 elections and beyond. Of course what the people driving these NGOs are interested in is for the money to keep on coming so that they can steal some of it whilst perpetuating a non-delivering agenda of regime change.
Funny you should say the world has changed – the only constant is Mugarbage!!! Wanna bet that ZPF will go one day George?
I suspect the emerging EU idea is to catch up with unscrupulous. China and Russia. Mugabe should be dishing out concessions to them too shortly, they figure…. Those vigil patriots put me to shame.
If the dear ambassador likes taking it up the rear I have an old broom handle he can use. He does not need to spread his cheeks for ZANU. I hope he is aware that it is very likely that he will catch something nasty.
These European Ambassadors especially this one Del Arricia can also be bribed. He cant just come out blasting the NGOs who are operating under very difficult conditions to expose the true colours of Zanupf evils. He is dangerous to humanity. It is better to get the bribe and work for it quietly than to say a lot of rubbish.
This EU guy has been in Zim too long, he has been zanufied, try moving among the people at grassroots level you hypocrite..The likes of you still try and keep our (African) countries in a state of dependence….
To Hell with Aldo a fool
Well done Aldo Dell’ Arricia, you are an true hero
A select group of people know they are contributing to the success of creating confusion among the masses of this world in order to conceal their true agenda of which all human beings are a part, willing or unwilling. The conscious and intelligent manipulation of the organized habits and opinions of the masses is an important element in society. Those who manipulate this unseen mechanism of society constitute an invisible government that is the true ruling power. You are governed, your mind is molded, your tastes formed, your ideas suggested, largely by people you have never met or heard of before. This is the logical result of the way in which society functions today. Vast numbers of human beings must co-operate in this controlled manner if they are to live together in peace and prosperity. Whatever attitude one chooses to take toward this conditioning, it remains a fact that in almost every act of daily life, whether in the sphere of politics or business, in your social conduct or your ethical thinking, you are dominated by a relatively small number of people who understand the mental processes and mental patterns of the masses. The real issue or concern is whether or not you are aware of the fact that your freedom has been substituted by mind enslavement.
Text-book plagiarism is totally irrelevant.
They are right when they say all of a sudden human rights to people like Del Arricia is no longer matter,yes the british have a genuine case to call for an EU pullout.
EU…will not run a losing project like MDC-T and its NGOs……ALDO thinks BIG things….he sees MDC-T and NGOs as dead woods..so what? ZANU-PF is a better option…thats PLAN-B…….
Oh George. Where did you get that from? I feel truly sorry for you