Cartoons

http://www.gado.co.ke/

Robert Mugabe has upper hand over Morgan Tsvangirai in new Zimbabwe government

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/

Buried in the detail of Zimbabwe's 29-page power-sharing agreement are vital
clauses suggesting that President Robert Mugabe may remain the leading force
of the new government.

By David Blair, Diplomatic Editor
Last Updated: 7:26PM BST 16 Sep 2008

Under Article 20, the cabinet - chaired by Mr Mugabe - will keep the
authority to "adopt all government policies". The Movement for Democratic
Change will have a majority of ministers in the 31-member body. But the
cabinet will "take decisions by consensus", not by majority vote, suggesting
that Mr Mugabe will retain a right of veto.

Far from reducing the presidency to a ceremonial position, the agreement
explicitly states that Mr Mugabe will have "executive authority". When he
makes key appointments, he must "consult" Morgan Tsvangirai, the new prime
minister, but he is free to ignore this advice.

As for the new government's objectives, the agreement springs straight from
Mr Mugabe's hymn sheet. The seizure of land from white farmers is
"irreversible" and lifting the alleged "sanctions" imposed by the rich world
is a priority.

The agreement is careful to absolve Mr Mugabe of responsibility for
Zimbabwe's economic crisis. "This international isolation has over the years
created a negative international perception of Zimbabwe," states the text,
as if Mr Mugabe had nothing whatever to do with the problem.

Zimbabwe unity government talks postponed: opposition

Yahoo News

Tue Sep 16, 11:09 AM ET

HARARE (AFP) - Talks to appoint ministers in Zimbabwe's new unity government
were postponed to Wednesday due to "unforeseen circumstances", a spokesman
for a splinter opposition party said.

"That meeting has been postponed to tomorrow due to unforseen circumstances.
The three principals just agreed to meet tomorrow," Edwin Mushoriwa,
spokesman for the oppostion faction led by Arthur Mutambara, told AFP.

"I am positive they will meet and finish. I don't think it's a debate that
will take long, it's just a matter of allocating ministries."

Sources told AFP that the politburo of the ruling ZANU-PF, the party's
highest decision-making body, was meeting on Tuesday afternoon.

The party appeared to be divided on who would remain in the new government
to be led by President Robert Mugabe who will retain his title and Morgan
Tsvangirai in a newly created post as prime minister.

Mutambara will take one of the two deputy prime ministerial posts while the
government will also have two vice-presidents.

Talks on Zimbabwe cabinet deferred; Mugabe consults Zanu-PF

http://www.earthtimes.org
Posted : Tue, 16
Sep 2008 17:12:06 GMT
      Author : DPA

Harare - Talks set for Tuesday between Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe
and prime minister-designate Morgan Tsvangirai on the appointment of
ministers in a new unity government have been postponed indefinitely. While
both Tsvangirai's Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) and Mugabe's Zanu-PF
confirmed the postponement, they would not be drawn on whether the delay
spelled trouble for the country's day-old power-sharing deal.

"I can confirm that the meeting set for today to allocate ministries for the
three parties to the deal did not take place," said Nelson Chamisa
spokesperson for the MDC.

"It (meeting) will definitely take place. The nation awaits the cabinet and
it will have it (cabinet) as soon as the meeting is held at a later stage,"
he said, without giving a date.

Zanu PF's negotiator Patrick Chinamasa, confirming the delay, referred
comment to Mugabe.

A senior source within Zanu-PF said the meeting, which was also to include
Arthur Mutambara, leader of an MDC splinter group that is a party to the
deal, was postponed over MDC "greed."

The source said Tsvangirai's MDC was demanding "key" ministries such as
finance and economy, information, agriculture and home affairs and said:
"Zanu PF is not ready to give in to such greedy demands."

It was not clear whether the hardline thinking reflected Mugabe's and the
party's thinking, following reports late last week that the MDC had already
"scored" the listed ministries.

The source said Mugabe was scheduled to meet his party's politburo, its
highest decision-making body late Tuesday, to discuss the allocation of
ministries. Mugabe already met Sunday with the politburo on cabinet.

On Monday Mugabe, Tsvangirai and Mutambara agreed to share power in a bid to
end Zimbabwe's political crisis and economic collapse. The deal ended
Mugabe's 28-year monopoly on power.

Under the agreement, Zanu-PF get 15 seats and the combined MDC factions 16
in the 31-member cabinet.

Analysts blame Mugabe's nationalist policies for driving away foreign direct
investment and international aid.

After the signing of the deal the International Monetary Fund (IMF) said it
was ready to discuss kick-starting Zimbabwe's turn-around.

African Development Bank chief Donald Kaberuka in a statement Tuesday also
pledged support from his institution, including helping mend Zimbabwe's
rifts with other agencies.

"The Bank stands ready in coordination with other international donors to
provide support and assist in the context of the normalization of the
country's relations with the international financial community," he said.

Robert Mugabe faces revolt from ministers

http://www.telegraph.co.uk

President Robert Mugabe faces a growing backlash from his Zanu-PF party over
Zimbabwe's power-sharing agreement as several of his ministers confronted
the prospect of imminent unemployment.

By Sebastien Berger in Harare
Last Updated: 7:13PM BST 16 Sep 2008

After benefiting from years of patronage and corruption, many of his senior
officials will lose their jobs when a new cabinet is agreed. Only 15 seats
are reserved for Zanu-PF, down from their previous total of 32 cabinet posts
and 19 deputy ministerial jobs. Senior Zanu-PF figure have been left
"shattered" by the agreement with the Movement for Democratic Change,
sources said.

At the weekend a senior politburo member said: "Mugabe has sold out."

But Mr Mugabe, 84, blamed his own party for the power-sharing deal with
Morgan Tsvangirai, the MDC leader and the new prime minister. "It's because
of your divisions I have had to sign this document," the president told a
meeting of the Politburo last weekend.

Ibbo Mandaza, once a senior official who remains well connected to Mr
Mugabe's party, said: "Zanu-PF has virtually lost its hold on the country.
Few if any Zanu-PF ministers will have allegiance to Mugabe. They will be
swimming for their own survival."

As a party Zanu-PF was doomed, he said. "Mugabe caused the divisions in his
party, that's the problem. He can't even see he is the problem. He has
destroyed his party. African political parties live off the state. When a
ruling party loses state power, it's the end. Without power they become
moribund and useless. It's a party which has been sustained by violence and
patronage. Violence will be contained by the agreement and patronage is
over."

Mr Mandaza added: "Whatever value he had for the party has been diminished
tremendously by the agreement. He was the symbol of their sense of survival,
permanence, and livelihood. That symbol is on the wane."

Nonetheless, Mr Mugabe remains president and chairman of cabinet, although a
parallel "council of ministers" will be headed by Mr Tsvangirai. There is
still an opportunity for Mr Mugabe to wield his vaunted political skills and
attempt to impose himself on Zimbabwe's future.

Talks between the president, Mr Tsvangirai and Arthur Mutambara, the leader
of a rival MDC faction and the new deputy prime minister, will take place
today. The three men must agree the composition of the new 31-member
cabinet, in which the MDC's two wings will have 16 places.

Mr Mandaza does not expect Zanu-PF to turn against Mr Mugabe to the point of
deposing him. "They are lame, they don't know what to do. They are
disparate, too many factions, no-one of whom can commandeer the whole
party."

For his part, Mr Tsvangirai told ITN that signing the agreement had been
essential for Zimbabwe's future. "If we had not settled for this, it would
have been a very devastating blow to the hopes and aspirations of
Zimbabweans. It would have been the last nail in their confidence in their
own country. So on that basis I find it not impossible to work with
President Mugabe," he said.

The new prime minister added that addressing Zimbabwe's desperate food
shortage was the new government's priority: "If I can get food to every part
of the corner of the country that is the first step, that is the first step
and we are working on that."

Too many cabinet posts

http://www.thezimbabwean.co.uk


Tuesday, 16 September 2008 16:22
Too many cabinet posts

HARARE - Zimbabweans have criticised the size of the new coalition
cabinet, saying 46 ministers was a waste of money in a country where many
live in poverty.
The outcry this week came after political rivals Robert Mugabe, the
president, and Morgan Tsvangirai, head of the MDC, announced a deal on a
coalition government setting up 31 ministries and their deputies.

This will be one of the largest cabinet Zimbabwe has ever had since
independence. Questions will continue being raised about the need and cost
of such a large grouping.
The government conceded that the cabinet was large, but said it was
necessary to include all communities across the country.
Tsvangirai's MDC, which argued for 15 ministries compared to the 46
that have been agreed, is expected to get half the cabinet seats though it
was unclear which ones.
Information minister Sikhanyiso Ndlovu, while warning journalists to
report responsibly in the transitional period, said no price was too high to
ensure peace, harmony and reconciliation, healing and stability that will
spur and grow the economy and create even more wealth.
But the head of the National Constitutional Assembly, Lovemore
Madhuku, accused Zimbabwe's political leaders of creating a "totally
wasteful government".
Political commentator Ronald Shumba said: "This is a very bad start
for a coalition that has yet to be accepted by a majority of Zimbabweans. We
don't need all these ministries and can't afford them."
The ministers and their deputies will be entitled to forex-denominated
salaries of over USD10,000 each, official Mercedez Benz vehicles,
allowances, and several perks including land, housing and schooling.
It is estimated the cost of the new cabinet as costing more than
USD300,000 a month.
About 80 per cent of Zimbabwe's population lives on less than USD1 a
day.
Business groups have long complained Zimbabwe's public wage bill takes
too large a portion of expenditure, eating into money that would otherwise
alleviate poverty.

Tsvangirai moves to assure Mugabe

 

Tuesday, 16 September 2008 18:30 UK

Mr Tsvangirai said his first step would be getting food to Zimbabweans Zimbabwe's Prime Minister-designate Morgan Tsvangirai has said President Robert Mugabe has nothing to fear from the historic deal signed on Monday. In his first interview as PM, Mr Tsvangirai told the BBC that Mr Mugabe had a "paranoid obsession" that there was an attempt to overthrow him. Mr Tsvangirai said this was not the case and that confidence was vital if Zimbabwe was to be rebuilt. Monday's power-sharing deal ended a decade of rivalry between the two men. The division of cabinet posts have not yet been finalised but the deal proposes a 50-50 division of power, with Mr Mugabe remaining head of state and head of the cabinet. Mr Tsvangirai will head a council of ministers, which will be responsible for the day-to-day managing of the country's affairs. 'Build confidence' The Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) leader said Mr Mugabe was "naturally" reacting to his own paranoid obsession that the deal was an attempt at regime change. We have to reverse this serious decline that the country's faced Morgan Tsvangirai But he said Mr Mugabe had committed to the deal and that "whatever attitudes he displays it is really an ingrained hatred or hate for certain parts of the world". Mr Mugabe has said Britain, the former colonial power, is behind Zimbabwe's problems and seeking regime change. "We have to build confidence in him, in order for him to build confidence in the nation," said Mr Tsvangirai. "That's our task, there's no conspiracies against him as an individual." Basic needs Mr Tsvangirai said the government's first practical step would be to provide people with food and remove the climate of "pervasive fear". "We have to start by giving people the necessary freedoms so that when they are walking around doing their job, they are not harassed by the police, they are not intimidated." He said the government needed to demonstrate that they wanted to deal with the "really basic" needs of Zimbabweans and that negative attitudes would have to end. "We cannot continue to go into the future with this pervasive fear, hate, intolerance, suspicion, mistrust," he said. "We want this to work - people are suffering and [Mr Mugabe] has to play his part. We have to reverse this serious decline that the country's faced."

Unity agreement doesn't slow exodus of Zimbabweans

http://www.washtimes.com

DONNA BRYSON
Originally published 01:44 p.m., September 16, 2008, updated 01:42 p.m.,
September 16, 2008

MUSINA, SOUTH AFRICA (AP) - A power-sharing deal has not stopped the flow of
Zimbabweans streaming into South Africa to escape the hunger and poverty
wrought by runaway inflation in their homeland.

About 1,000 Zimbabweans seeking asylum formed a line that snaked across a
packed-dirt parking lot in this South African border town Tuesday. Many had
been waiting for days to file their applications.

Some said they feared President Robert Mugabe was still in a position to
unleash violence on his enemies. Others said that while they found hope in
the agreement signed Monday, they did not expect Zimbabwe's economic crisis
to be quickly resolved.

Under the pact, Mugabe remains president and head of government. Morgan
Tsvangirai is prime minister-designate and will head a new Council of
Ministers responsible for forming government policies.

Observers worry that rather than resolution, the agreement heralds
government paralysis.

In Musina, asylum seekers waited restlessly in a lot dotted with ash left
over from the previous night's fires and lengths of cardboard used as
mattresses. Children gathered around a blackened paint pot balanced over a
fire to await a breakfast of corn meal porridge and milk.

Robin Mucheana reached South Africa on Saturday and was still waiting
Tuesday to have his application processed.

For 15 years, Mucheana grew oranges, guavas, avocados and vegetables on a
small farm in Chitungwiza, south of Harare. This year, with official
inflation the highest in the world at 11 million percent, he could not
afford seedlings, seeds or fertilizer. He and his wife resorted to selling
vegetables on the streets, but were barely making enough to feed themselves
and their three children.

"In the morning, you wake up with bread selling at 8 trillion (Zimbabwe
dollars), at 5 in the evening you get it at 10 trillion. And tomorrow,
again, new prices," he said. "The hunger is the main issue. Some people are
even dying."

The International Red Cross estimates more than 2 million people are hungry
in Zimbabwe, and that the number is going to rise to 5 million, about half
the country's population, by year's end.

Some aid groups estimate that in recent weeks as many as 6,000 Zimbabweans
have been crossing into South Africa every day. Many go back within a few
days carrying groceries and other essentials that are scarce at home.

But there has also been a spike in those seeking refugee status.

While most are men, more and more women and children were coming, said
Alexis Moens, an official with Medecins Sans Frontieres, which has been
providing medical care for Zimbabweans and other immigrants in Musina.

"My feeling is that now more women and children are coming than before
(because) the situation is getting a bit more desperate," she said.

High prices aren't the only reason Zimbabweans are struggling. The last
harvest was poor, and Mugabe's government restricted the work of aid
agencies in June, accusing them of siding with the opposition before a
presidential runoff. The ban was lifted last month, but aid agencies say it
takes time to gear up.

"People are eating berries, people are eating roots, people are eating
anything they can get their hands on," said James McGee, the U.S. ambassador
to Zimbabwe. "We're seeing it all over the country."

McGee added the political violence that followed elections in March and sent
many Zimbabweans fleeing across the border has subsided, but not completely
disappeared. He said there were signs of tension in areas where the deaths
of parliamentary candidates or other issues meant new votes would have to be
held.

Tsvangirai defeated Mugabe in March presidential elections and his party
also out-polled Mugabe's in parliamentary voting. But Tsvangirai did not win
the simple majority needed to avoid a runoff. An onslaught of
state-sponsored violence forced Tsvangirai to withdraw from the second
election, and Mugabe was declared the winner in a vote widely denounced as a
sham.

More than 100 Tsvangirai supporters were killed, thousands were beaten, and
tens of thousands were forced from their homes.

Richard Zuza, a pastor in Zimbabwe's capital of Harare, said the agreement
was a start. But he was also in line for asylum Tuesday, as he had been for
four days. He was fearful of returning because he said new elections were
being held in his area and he had been counseling his congregation not to
vote for Mugabe's party.

He said he wanted details on the agreement, such as whether Tsvangirai's
party or Mugabe's would get the ministries overseeing police and the army,
two institutions accused of fomenting violence against Mugabe's opponents.

"If they don't give Mr. Tsvangirai those soldiers, I don't think anything
can change," he said. "Mugabe must resign. Then everything will be all
right."

Zimbabwe deal remains silent on banned newspapers

By Lance Guma
16 September 2008

Even before the ink is dry on the deal signed on Monday by the MDC and ZANU
PF, questions are being asked about why the accord says nothing about banned
newspapers like the Daily News and The Tribune. Parts of the agreement call
on countries said to be 'hosting and funding' external radio stations to
stop doing so, and urges journalists at the stations to apply for licences
to operate in Zimbabwe.

But as former Daily News reporter Sandra Nyaira observed, although it was
good to encourage more players in the broadcast sector, 'the leaders totally
ignore the newspaper sector in their agreement.' She argued that several
journalists who had set up successful websites in the diaspora were ready
and willing to go back home and contribute to a new vibrant media. "For this
new deal to work.we need a media that is independent, that seeks to unite
Zimbabweans more than divide and polarise them," Nyaira wrote.

Another interesting scenario is the UK based The Zimbabwean newspaper run by
veteran editor Wilf Mbanga. The paper is printed outside the country and
sold within Zimbabwe but the Mugabe regime has been using a combination of
bombing his delivery trucks, high import duties and sometimes confiscation
of the paper to derail its distribution. Whether his paper will be invited
to publish freely in Zimbabwe still remains to be seen.

Speaking to Newsreel Mbanga said they are not sure whether they will be
required to register under the new deal, or they were now free to publish.
"Do we have any guarantees that our reporters can work freely? I don't think
anything has changed," Mbanga said. The paper is still paying a punitive 70
percent duty in foreign currency, and has been forced to cut its print from
200 000 copies to 50 000. The paper says it will continue to publish from
outside.

Several of those in the media fraternity are eagerly awaiting the repealing
of repressive legislation that hampered their work. Chief among the
offending bills are the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act
(AIPPA), the Public Order and Security Act (POSA) and the Broadcasting
Services Act. All these laws were used successfully by ZANU PF to stifle an
independent media, but now that a new government is on the cards their
removal remains urgent.

Some commentators have predicted the road to a new Zimbabwe could turn out
to be treacherous with no guarantees of immediate change. The first move by
the new parliament will be the much talked about Constitutional Amendment
Number 19 that will legalize the new positions of Prime Minister and his two
deputies, among other positions created by the agreement. The same
Parliament dominated by the MDC could then set about repealing individual
pieces of repressive legislation before a completely new constitution is
drawn up within 18 months.

.

SW Radio Africa Zimbabwe news

South African media need convincing on Zimbabwe deal

Yahoo News

Tue Sep 16, 8:29 AM ET

JOHANNESBURG (AFP) - South African media on Tuesday reacted cautiously to
Zimbabwe's new political deal, saying that it would take "more than a piece
of paper" to shift President Robert Mugabe's 28-year grip on power.

Newspaper coverage included the 84-year-old's lengthy speech at Monday's
ceremony in which he took digs at colonial powers and said democracy was
difficult in Africa as the opposition wanted more than it deserved.

In a sober editorial, Business Day said aged dictators, like leopards, did
not readily change their ways with Mugabe banging a familiar drum to
distract from his own failings.

The veteran leader's assertion that Zimbabwe's problems were created by
former colonial powers was a timely reminder that the political compromise
was a "baby step" with little having changed on the ground, the newspaper
said.

"The same corrupt and violent government officials and policemen are in
control, the economy is still in a state beyond collapse, and Mugabe and his
ZANU(-PF) henchmen remain unreformed and unrepentant," the newspaper said.

"It will take more than a piece of paper to persuade the greedy thugs who
have run the country into the ground to share power with opposition groups
they despise."

Describing Mugabe's speech as a "vintage performance," the daily newspaper
The Times said the formation of a new government would not be smooth
sailing.

The paper headlined its front page with "Nutty Bob's bizarre speech stuns
world" and quoted excerpts from the "rambling, sometimes incoherent" speech
such as the veteran leader's wish to be young again and proposing to girls.

The newspaper also quoted Mugabe saying he "will never attack an African
leader in public," before going on to chant "Botswana, Botswana, Botswana!
Ooooooh."

This was after Mugabe noted the presence of Botswana President Ian Khama who
is one of the few African leaders to have openly criticised him.

An opinion piece in The Citizen said the deal was "obviously unworkable,"
and that the opposition had accepted an unsatisfactory agreement in the hope
that next year's change of government in South Africa, which mediated the
deal, would bring more.

The decision to sign was responsible as Zimbabwe needed foreign economic aid
and not political paralysis or civil war. However, "whether it was the right
decision, nobody yet knows," the article said.

The Star, using a theatrical metaphor in its editorial, said Mugabe remained
an important actor but that Zimbabwe had a new cast who would perform under
a new management structure.

"Tough is the road that lies ahead of them," it said.

Mugabe, opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai and opposition splinter head
Arthur Mutambara signed the deal after protracted mediated talks to unlock a
political crisis and economic meltdown.

Zimbabwe incoming prime minister confident West will send aid after power sharing agreement

http://www.newsday.com

  By ANGUS SHAW | Associated Press Writer
  12:51 PM EDT, September 16, 2008
HARARE, Zimbabwe (AP) _ Zimbabwe's incoming prime minister said Tuesday he
is confident the international community will send aid and give its support
now that the country's main political rivals have agreed to share power.

President Robert Mugabe ceded some of his power to his chief opponent Morgan
Tsvangirai, who becomes prime minister in the agreement signed Monday. He
will be formally sworn in later this week.

The power-sharing deal is an effort to end a crippling political and
economic crisis gripping the southern African nation.

But in an interview with The Associated Press Tuesday, Tsvangirai made clear
his animosity toward Mugabe still lingers. He said he still does not trust
Mugabe even though he believes the long-time leader is committed to their
political deal.

"This is the beginning of building the necessary confidence for investment
and aid," Tsvangirai said, adding he was confident the government will be
able to lay the groundwork for encouraging investors and aid agencies to
return to the country.

Tsvangirai said his priorities are to get food to the hungry, restore basic
freedoms and lift suppression of the media.

U.S. Ambassador to Zimbabwe James McGee said Washington is ready to feed
hungry Zimbabweans but the new unity government must prove its commitment to
democracy before it will get the aid.

McGee told the AP in a separate interview the United States is adopting a
"very careful wait-and-see stance" about the power-sharing agreement. "If
this works out the way Mr. Tsvangirai hopes it will, we will be very willing
to work with the people of Zimbabwe," he said.

McGee said the United States is committed to doing the one thing Tsvangirai
has requested - "taking care of food insecurity problems of the people of
Zimbabwe.

"We will step forward. We have food in country, in the region and food on
the high seas destined for Zimbabwe."

In turn, he said the new government must ensure that nongovernment
organizations have access to deliver the food to people.

Mugabe had only last week lifted a ban on organizations delivering food aid,
after accusing them of favoring Tsvangirai's opposition supporters in their
distribution.

Tsvangirai has been tortured, repeatedly detained and tried for treason with
a death sentence hanging over his head. Asked if he now trusted Mugabe, he
responded: "No because of the experience I have had with him."

But he added: "I trust he is committed to this agreement. I trust he wants
this deal as much as we do. He wants to move forward because it is part of
his legacy."

He said he felt conflicting emotions during Monday's signing ceremony.

"People have traveled this long road," he said. "In this conflict of
emotions, should we celebrate or restrain ourselves because of the
uncertainty of the future?"

He also said he was "really moved by the mood of the people and the hope
that is in the people."

Statement by British Foreign Secretary on Power Sharing Deal

Foreign Office (London)

PRESS RELEASE
16 September 2008
Posted to the web 16 September 2008

The British Foreign Secretary, David Miliband, commented on the power
sharing deal in Zimbabwe between Morgan Tsvangirai and Robert Mugabe. He
said:

The British Government welcomes the prospect of a turn in the tide of
suffering in Zimbabwe, following the announcement of an agreement between
Morgan Tsvangirai and Robert Mugabe today.Our overriding concern is with the
people of Zimbabwe, who have suffered too long.

We hope that this agreement will allow Zimbabwe to chart a new course
towards economic recovery and political stability. We will of course be
studying the detail of the agreement closely. What matters now is not just
the words in the agreement, but the way it functions and the actions the new
government takes on the ground. We hope that the new government will now
reverse the tragic policies and decline of recent years.

The new government needs to start to rebuild the country. If it does so,
Britain and the rest of the international community will be quick to support
them. My discussions today with European Foreign Ministers in Brussels
showed widespread concern for genuine change in Zimbabwe. Like the vast
majority of Zimbabweans, I share that view.

Council Conclusions on Country

Council of the European Union (Brussels)

PRESS RELEASE
16 September 2008
Posted to the web 16 September 2008

Brussels

The General Affairs and External Relations Council of the European Union,
which brings together 27 EU foreign ministers and the European Commission,
issued the following statement on September 15:

Council Conclusions on Zimbabwe

Brussels, 15 and 16 September 2008

The Council adopted the following conclusions:

"1. The Council welcomes the conclusion of a political agreement between the
parties in Zimbabwe on 11 September 2008. The Council thanks President Mbeki
for the mediation efforts undertaken in the context of the SADC which made
it possible to reach an agreement following lengthy negotiations.

2. The Council will study the details of the agreement and will be attentive
to its implementation, which will mean immediate cessation of all forms of
intimidation and violence. It stresses that that agreement must provide the
Zimbabwean people with the reforms awaited: democracy and the rule of law,
including respect for human rights, and the restoration of the country's
economic and social situation.

3. The Council remains concerned by the humanitarian situation in Zimbabwe
and will continue to provide its aid, which is vital, in that area. It calls
for the immediate lifting of all restrictions still imposed on the delivery
of humanitarian aid and the humanitarian activities of non-governmental
organisations.

4. The Council would point out that the EU has always supported the
Zimbabwean people and that it remains the leading donor to Zimbabwe. The EU
stands ready to adopt a set of economic support measures and measures to
support a transitional government taking the steps to restore democracy and
the rule of law in Zimbabwe, particularly by organising transparent
multiparty elections and promoting the economic rehabilitation of the
country.

5. The Council will examine the development of the situation at its meeting
in October."

Donors ready to rescue Zimbabwe

    http://www.thezimbabwean.co.uk


Tuesday, 16 September 2008 16:29
HARARE,

INTERNATIONAL Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) that withdrew
humanitarian assistance and financial aid to Zimbabwe citing lack of
democracy and rule of law have announced their intention to resume work in
that country, CAJ News can confirm.

Barely twelve hours after Swaziland's King Mswati III had issued a
statement pleading with the West and international donor agencies to come
back and assist in rebuilding of Zimbabwe saw several donor community
agencies respond swiftly.

"We call on the international community to lift sanctions against
Zimbabwe and provide all possible financial support for the rebuilding of
Zimbabwe," said King Mswati III.

King Mswati III is the acting chairman of the Southern African
Development Community (SADC) region on defence and politics.

International donor agencies such as the World Food Programme (WFP),
World Vision, Canada International Development Agency (CIDA), Ford
Foundation, International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank have
expressed interest in assisting Zimbabwe stand on its feet once again.

In a statement made available to CAJ News on Tuesday, IMF Managing
Director, Dominique Strauss-Kahn said the signing of the power-sharing deal
was a step closer to ending the Zimbabwe's economic and social crises.

"We stand ready to discuss with the new authorities their policies to
stabilise the econom, improve social conditions, and reduce poverty," said
the IMF boss.

World Bank also confirmed that they were ready to assist where
possible to ensure that Zimbabwe's economy is back on its knees and become
the breadbasket of Southern Africa.

"The World Bank's officies in Harare were not closed, but working at a
go slow. With the signing of the deal, definitely some of financial aid has
to be channeled," said a source in Harare.

 SADC's Executive Secretary-General, Tomza Salamoa, said the
power-sharing deal between president Mugabe, Morgan tsvangirai and Arthur
Mutambara, the two Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) leaders was the
turning point for Zimbabwe.

"The power-sharing deal signed on Monday is set to give platform for
quick recovery to Zimbabwe's economy.  There is no doubt that the new deal
will provide the needed momentum for us to help kick start the economy of
Zimbabwe," said Salamoa.

Zimbabwe's new Prime Minister, Morgan Tsvangirai, re-iterated his
commitment to ending acute food shortages, foreign currency and immediate
solution to the collapsed standard of education, health delivery system,
re-opening of closed companies as well as mapping an aggressive strategy to
lure foreign investors.

Zimbabwe's inflation is currently standing at 11 200 000 percent,
unemployment at 85 percent with hospitals battling to acquire ordinary drugs
to cure headache

-CAJ News.

NANGO slams Zim deal for limited Civil Society involvement

By Alex Bell
16 September 2008

Zimbabwe's National Association of NGOs (NANGO) has slammed the power
sharing deal between ZANU PF and the MDC, saying that among other issues it
is 'ridiculous' that participation by civil society organisations still
remains limited in the new agreement.

The power sharing deal signed by Zimbabwe's political leaders has generally
been greeted with cautious optimism, with most groups adopting a 'wait and
see' approach to how the agreement will work in practice.

NANGO however told Newsreel on Tuesday the deal is 'not a cause for
celebration,' with some groups saying they will not recognise the new
government. NANGO's Fambai Ngirande said the deal is paving the way for
Kenyan style government and not the transitional authority NGOs and civil
society had demanded. He also argued that the agreement does not take into
account the numerous calls made by civil society for transitional justice,
and argued that a 'culture of impunity is already happening' in Zimbabwe.

NANGO and the broader Zimbabwean Civil society, including the Human Rights
NGO Forum, last week listed a set of demands for a transitional justice
process - including no impunity for crimes against humanity, torture and
gender based violence. The groups argued this was a crucial remedy to human
rights abuses committed under Robert Mugabe's leadership.

NGOs have also made repeated calls for Civil Society to play a participatory
role in Zimbabwe's government, including being involved in vital structural
reforms and policy decisions. Ngirande explained the new agreement still
limits the participation of civil society, with the deal reading that
participation would be invited if the political parties 'deem it necessary.'
Ngirande said the situation is 'preposterous,' and indicative that a 'flawed
process is leading to a flawed outcome.' He agreed that a 'wait and see'
approach is necessary, but argued that without 'positive structural reform'
there cannot be a positive outcome.

SW Radio Africa Zimbabwe news

Zimbabwe stakes out long road to recovery

 

16 September 2008 18:16 UK

Analysis By Jorn Madslien Business reporter, BBC News The power-sharing deal signed in Harare on Monday may eventually secure the peace in Zimbabwe, but it is far too early to talk about prosperity. Economic sanctions will not be lifted anytime soon The International Monetary Fund (IMF), which turned off the flow of cash to Zimbabwe nine years ago and severed contact with Mr Mugabe's regime in 2006, says it is ready to enter into talks with Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai's new government. "We stand ready to discuss with the new authorities their policies to stabilise the economy, improve social conditions and reduce poverty," says IMF head Dominique Strauss-Kahn. "I encourage the government to take steps to show clear commitment to a new policy direction and to seek the support of the international community." But with Robert Mugabe staying on as president, this may prove difficult. Much of the fabric of what once made Zimbabwe an exemplary country has been seriously eroded over the last 10 years Roelof Horne, Investec Asset Management Mr Mugabe's presence is expected to hamper the government's efforts to push through a reform programme aimed at fixing the seemingly unfixable - an economy blighted by an inflation rate of more than 11 million per cent, however meaningless that figure is, and where eight in 10 people are unemployed. In addition, the fact that Mr Mugabe's 28 years in power have not ended with his ousting means Mr Tsvangirai's international supporters are loath to get involved just yet. "In a power-sharing government, the architects of the economic implosion are still partly in the driving seat," observes portfolio manager Roelof Horne at Investec Asset Management. "And therefore neither generosity nor austerity will be delivered as enthusiastically as they might have in the case of a fresh start." Foreign investors are sitting on the fence, even though many of them are eager to gain access to Zimbabwe's platinum and diamond mines, as well as to the grain and tobacco farms that were looted by Mr Mugabe's cronies during the early 2000s. And both the US and the European Union say they are reluctant to lift sanctions. Little experience In the absence of desperately needed cash from the West, Zimbabwe's war on poverty will be one fought by an army of children lacking in both life skills and life expectancy. ZIMBABWE'S PLIGHT Inflation: 11,000,000% Unemployment: 80% Life expectancy: 37 years Malnutrition: 45% of the population Sources: Reuters, WHO, World Food Programme Zimbabwe: Facts and figures No quick economic fix Half the remaining population is now under the age of 18, with more than one in four of those being orphans. Many have lost their parents to an HIV/Aids pandemic that has resulted in early deaths on a vast scale and contributed to an infant death rate of more than 12%. "Much of the fabric of what once made Zimbabwe an exemplary country has been seriously eroded over the last 10 years," according to Mr Horne. The average age in the country has nosedived to 37 years from 60 years in 1990, according to estimates by Save the Children, the World Bank and the UN. Many of those who have not been affected by disease and malnutrition have fled the country's oppressive regime. And the Zimbabweans remaining in the country - even if they had the money -would struggle to rebuild the country's roads, sewers, houses and hospitals. "Economic capital, infrastructure, banking capital, human capital and the institutional framework are all in need of recovery and repair," says Mr Horne. But relatively high literacy rates and education levels, at least by African standards, will not be enough to compensate for the lack of experience. Many simply do not know how to do what needs to be done. Economic tragedy Economists tend to operate with longer time-scales than most people. So it should come as no surprise that when they say it will take time to revive Africa's worst basket-case economy they mean years - not months. "Getting back to where we were in the 1990s, it would take us another 10 years," says Professor Anthony Hawkins at the University of Harare. "And getting back to the 1980s, it would take us another 15 years." And it is going to get worse before it gets better, predicts Harare-based economist John Robertson. "Despite the deal, this year's economic shrinkage will be worse," he says, and his dire forecast is echoed by Mr Horne. "No-one should hope for a magical reversal of the economic tragedy that is Zimbabwe."

Past hostilities haunt Zim deal, say analysts

IOL

     September 16 2008 at 06:05PM

By Fanuel Jongwe

Harare - Past hostilities between Zimbabwe's political rivals could
make a historic power-sharing deal a worthless piece of paper if the parties
allow personal grudges to persist, analysts warned on Tuesday.

President Robert Mugabe and prime minister-elect Morgan Tsvangirai,
with splinter party chief Arthur Mutambara, agreed to share power and put
the past behind them on Monday.

In doing so, the former bitter foes pledged to join forces to revive
the country's moribund economy, which was driven into further meltdown by a
protracted political stand-off.

But analysts said that tensions which characterised relations between
Mugabe and Tsvangirai, the Movement for Democratic Change leader, could cast
a shadow on the new government to be formed.

"There are serious dangers that lie ahead unless the principals are
willing to move away from past hostilities and work in one direction to
implement the agreement rather than pull in different directions," said
Eldred Masunungure, a political scientist from the University of Zimbabwe.

"For that to happen the signatories must make sure the deal filters
down to grassroots so that the supporters on the ground realise, those who
have been regarded as enemies are now partners in development.

"That message must go out as soon as possible so that people adapt,
change and start to work together."

Lovemore Madhuku, a political analyst and a law lecturer, said: "There
has to be a shift. For example the parties cannot continue chanting slogans
that denigrated the other party."

Even as their leaders made efforts to gloss over their differences
with glowing phrases like "turning swords into ploughshares," lingering
tensions between Zanu-PF and MDC supporters were palpable at the signing
ceremony attended by leaders from southern Africa.

MDC supporters jeered at Mugabe as he lashed out at foreign powers
while from the Zanu-PF murmurs of disapproval were audible as Tsvangirai
delivered his address.

Outside, verbal exchanges degenerated into fisticuffs and
stone-throwing battles between the rival supporters who were waiting to
catch a glimpse of their respective leaders.

South African President Thabo Mbeki, who mediated in talks that led to
the agreement, urged the leaders to "defend and explain" the agreement to
their supporters.

Zimbabwe is in the throes of political and economic crisis with
inflation officially at 11,2-million percent, nearly a quarter of the
population requiring food aid while at least 80 percent potential workers
are without jobs.

The situation further deteriorated following a disputed presidential
run-off election in which Mugabe stood as sole candidate after Tsvangirai
pulled out citing intimidation and violence against his supporters.

Takavafira Zhou, a political scientist at Masvingo State University,
said: "For the new government to work you need mutual co-operation from the
parties but I am worried about the political rhetoric from Zanu-PF."

"It's very difficult to say for certain this new government will work
particularly looking at the backgrounds of the two main parties.

"These are two parties with divergent ideologies and were sworn
enemies. I am also worried the political rhetoric from Zanu-PF."

But Joseph Kurebga, a political science lecturer at the University of
Zimbabwe, expressed optimism the deal between Zanu-PF and the MDC would
restore Zimbabwe to its former status as a regional model of political and
economic stability and food exporter.

"I am certain this all-inclusive government will work given the
commitment demonstrated by the principals first by engaging in dialogue and
secondly through their public pronouncements," Kurebga said.

"The spirit of the agreement is such that there will be national
reconciliation and I don't foresee any challenges which the power-sharing
government will not be able to overcome." - Sapa-AFP

US ready to feed Zim's hungry

http://www.news24.com/

16/09/2008 20:06  - (SA)

Harare - The US ambassador to Zimbabwe says Washington stands ready to feed
hungry Zimbabweans but the new unity government must prove its commitment to
democracy before it will get development aid.

Ambassador James McGee says the government should immediately release
political prisoners and halt political violence.

He says US food is already in the country, but the government must provide
access for NGOs and ensure it gets to all needy people, no matter how they
voted.

McGee told the AP on Tuesday that the US is taking a "very careful
wait-and-see attitude" about the power-sharing agreement that has President
Robert Mugabe ceding some power to his opposition rival.

McGee says if it works, "we will be very willing to work with the people of
Zimbabwe".

Zimbabwe parties agree to unban media outlets

http://www.apanews.net

APA-Harare (Zimbabwe) Zimbabwe has agreed to open up its media space in a
move that could see the return of banned privately run newspapers and
television stations, while criminalising the use of hate language in the
media, APA learnt here on Tuesday.

The country's three main political parties have resolved to ensure the
immediate processing of all applications for "re-registration and
registration in terms of the Broadcasting Services Act (BSA) and the Access
to Information and Protection of Privacy Act (AIPPA)".

BSA was used to close at least two private television stations in 2001 and
led to the creation of the Broadcasting Authority of Zimbabwe whose main
mandate was to process applications for licences by non-state players in the
industry.

No broadcasting licence has been awarded during the seven years of BAZ's
existence, resulting in allegations that the authority was frustrating
prospective private broadcasters in order to maintain the monopoly of the
state-run Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation.

AIPPA was used to shut down at least four private newspapers, including the
country's then largest circulating daily newspaper, the Daily News, and its
sister publication, the Daily News on Sunday, which were closed in September
2003.

Subsequent applications for re-registration by Associated Newspapers of
Zimbabwe, publishers of the Daily News, have failed despite a court ruling
describing the newspaper's closure as unconstitutional.

The freeing of the media space could also see the re-registration of major
Western television networks such as the British Broadcasting Corporation,
Cable News Network and Sky News which have been banned from operating in
Zimbabwe.

The political parties also said the public and private media should refrain
from using abusive language that may incite hostility, political intolerance
and ethnic hatred or that unfairly undermines political parties and other
organisations.

"To this end, the inclusive government shall ensure that appropriate
measures are taken to achieve this objective," the parties said.

Media polarisation has been partly to blame for the hostilities that have
occurred among supporters of President Robert Mugabe and prime
minister-designate Morgan Tsvangirai since disputed elections held in March.

  JN/nm/APA 2008-09-16

Zimbabwe Waiting to See if Power Sharing Works

CPJ to honor five international journalists

http://www.thezimbabwean.co.uk


Tuesday, 16 September 2008 16:32
Beatrice Mtetwa, a press and human rights lawyer in Zimbabwe, has won
the Committee to Protect Journalists'  Burton Benjamin Memorial Award for
lifetime achievement in recognition of her continued efforts to ensure a
free press in one of the most repressive regimes in the world.

The awards will be presented at the Waldorf-Astoria in New York City
on Tuesday, November 25. Jeff Zucker, chief executive of NBC Universal, is
chairman of the black-tie dinner. Gwen Ifill, CPJ board member and managing
editor of PBS' "Washington Week," will be the host.

    " Beatrice Mtetwa is a tireless defender of press freedom in
Zimbabwe, where the law is used as a weapon against independent journalists.
The country's leading human rights and media lawyer, Mtetwa has fearlessly
stood up against the lawlessness of the Mugabe government. She has won
acquittals for dozens of journalists arrested under Zimbabwe's repressive
media laws ", according to her citation .

Mtwewa has endured her  torment at the hands of Zimbabwe's brutal
regime. Last year, she was beaten with clubs by the police. It was the
second attack on Mtetwa in five years.

The Burton Benjamin Memorial Award is named in honor of the late CBS
News senior producer and former CPJ chairman who died in 1988. Mtetwa, a
2005 recipient of CPJ's International Press Freedom Award, is the first
person to be honored with both awards.

"Mtetwa's courageous efforts on behalf of journalists in Zimbabwe
demonstrate her unflinching commitment," CPJ's Steiger said. "She is richly
deserving of the Burton Benjamin Award, given for lifetime achievement in
the cause of press freedom."

The End of the Beginning

http://www.thezimbabwean.co.uk

Tuesday, 16 September 2008 16:31

Yesterday the deal was signed. It has been a tough 8 years to get here, but
at last we are there! The reaction to the news has been muted in Zimbabwe -
some have celebrated, others have wept with relief and still others have
just mused quietly at the cost in lives lost and disrupted and destroyed. I
walked into my office the morning after the deal was agreed and one of my
senior staff was sitting there looking at our "Roll of Honor" - the names of
all those in our leadership who have died violently since 2000 in the
struggle to regain our dignity as a Nation  and our freedom as individuals.
Many were friends and colleagues; I knew just what he was thinking.

It is sad that the agreement had to be negotiated in this way at the
insistence of Thabo Mbeki; there has been no transparency, restricted
consultation and no democratic buy in. People do not know any details and
simply have to accept what was agreed behind closed doors. Not a great start
to a new dispensation. But there was no alternative, we had to have a power
broker and we had no alternative.

Today marks the end of Zanu PF hegemony over power. From today every
decision on how the government conducts itself and goes about its business
has to be by consensus with the MDC. This is not going to be easy for
anyone. We in the MDC must now work with the very people who have ordered
our arrest, beaten and even killed our colleagues and abused our rights. We
have to put the past behind us and work together in designing and
implementing a new dispensation for Zimbabwe.

The agreement is very African in character. In many respects it reflects our
culture and traditions. On Tuesday last week Morgan Tsvangirai requested a
one on one meeting with Mugabe, this was arranged and in the meeting he said
that if an agreement was not reached, it would have dire consequences for
everybody. He then proposed that to break the deadlock that they look at a
revised proposal with a Council of State, headed by Mugabe as State
President and supervising the work of Cabinet, and headed by Tsvangirai as
Prime Minister.

The concept received tentative acceptance and they then saw Mbeki. He
welcomed the idea and Mugabe was given 24 hours to think it through and
discuss it with his senior officials. At the next session be baulked at the
concept saying it left him in a largely ceremonial position. Mbeki then
produced the arrangement that was finally accepted by both Parties.

Under this new set up, Mugabe is head of State and Chairman of Cabinet.
However, the concept of a Council of State was retained by changed slightly
to a Council of Ministers, Chaired by Tsvangirai as Prime Minister and
responsible for the day to day affairs of government. In effect therefore
Tsvangirai is Head of Government. All policy and other decisions by the
Council - once agreed by consensus, will be then considered by the "Cabinet"
, the same group of people plus the President who sits as Chairman of those
sessions with the Prime Minister as co-chair. Cabinet then must endorse the
decisions of the Council of Ministers and the minutes be signed by both the
President and the Prime Minister before they can take effect and be
implemented.

People who know something of Shona culture will immediately recognize the
arrangement as similar to the one that is used in traditional society here
to manage the affairs of a tribal community or clan. The clan recognizes
individuals who become members of the "Dare". This group makes the decisions
and the Chief is then called in, has the decisions explained to him and he
then announces them to the people concerned.

I have been privileged to be allowed to sit in such gatherings - in my own
case it was the Dare of Chief Njelele. The old man was a bit of a drunkard
and when the Dare (or Council of Elders) met to consider an issue that was
quite important or complex, they often ordered the Chief locked up until
they needed him or he would be too far gone to perform!  There was no
disrespect in this and he did not seem to mind the indignity of it all. He
would then join the Dare, hear the decisions with great dignity and then
explain them to the people concerned. Very democratic, very people centered
and a good way to resolve the many issues that confronted the community.

Can this sort of arrangement work with a modern government? I think it can
but it will require extraordinary skills of leadership by Mr. Tsvangirai and
determination by all the Ministers who will be working with him, to get down
to business, recognize that, like or not, they are now in government and
must work together. So team building in the early stages is going to be
essential.

The only other thing I can say is that our team is ready. We had prepared
for victory in 2000, then in 2002, then again in 2005 and finally in 2008.
So we have had several "dummy runs" at this. We know what is needed, what
has to be done and have given a great deal of thought as to how to do the
operation. I think the Zanu PF people are going to be surprised at the
extent and depth of the preparations that have gone into this New Start
operation.

The international community will be cautious, but as President Kikwete said
to President Bush in Washington a few weeks ago, give us space, allow us to
negotiate and then implement an African solution. This is now in place and
we on our part must now demonstrate we have the capacity and the will to
make it work and to deliver a better quality of life in all respects to the
people of this country.

Having just had the triumph of the agreement in Harare, President Mbeki must
now return to business in South Africa where he faces fresh challenges in
the form of a resurgent Zuma campaign for the Presidency of South Africa. In
my own view Zuma is now almost certain to be elected President next year and
for us he takes assumes office a critical time. Much more than Mbeki, the
MDC has a friend and colleague in Zuma and we might need his help in the
rough waters that lie ahead, but at least now, hopefully, we are all
paddling in the same direction.
by Eddie Cross

Zim: Will it hold or will it not?

IOL

    September 16 2008 at 10:43AM

Harare - Zimbabwe's power-sharing deal signed Monday signals a new
dawn but the question remains as to whether the deal will hold, African
Union chairperson Jakaya Kikwete said on Monday.

"Will it hold or will it not? That is the question," Kikwete said,
while urging Zimbabwean political parties to implement the agreement signed
by President Robert Mugabe and his political rival Morgan Tsvangirai.

Kikwete, who is president of Tanzania, described the accord, which
makes Tsvangirai prime minister, as "the beginning of a new dawn".

"This is a great day for the SADC (Southern African Development
Community) region, for the continent and indeed for the world at large," he
said.

"Zimbabwe's success is our success. The people of Tanzania will always
support you." - AFP

Zim deal success unlikely to vindicate Mbeki

By Alex Bell
16 September 2008

Pressure had been squarely on the shoulders of South African President Thabo
Mbeki to produce a deal that would end the Zimbabwean political impasse, so
he looked visibly relieved at Monday's signing ceremony in Harare. But the
long awaited deal might not be enough to vindicate Mbeki's policies or save
his political future.

Mbeki's 'softly-softly' approach to facilitating an end to the Zimbabwean
political crisis had been slated as 'biased' in Robert Mugabe's favour, and
ineffective in seeking change. The South African leader found himself facing
severe criticism from all camps, including from now Prime Minister Morgan
Tsvangirai who had previously called for Mbeki to step down as the SADC
appointed mediator.

The question now being raised is whether the deal signed by Zimbabwe's
political leaders on Monday is a vindication of Mbeki's policy of quiet
diplomacy, and whether the 'success' will make a difference to his political
future in South Africa.

Mbeki's presidency has been hanging in the balance in his country over the
past year as he fights a battle for legitimacy. His future started looking
uncertain last December when his political rival Jacob Zuma ousted him as
ANC leader, creating two centres of power in the country's ruling party. His
affiliation to Dictator Mugabe and his passive approach to the Zimbabwe
crisis also caused more defections within the party and saw once loyal
supporters turn their backs on him.

The most recent blow to Mbeki's political battle came last Friday when a
South African High Court Judge threw out a corruption case against Zuma, and
implied that the government, headed by Mbeki, had meddled in the case. The
ruling also prompted defectors over the weekend to call for Mbeki to resign
before his term as president ends next year.

Political analyst Professor Steven Friedman from the Institute for Democracy
in South Africa told Newsreel on Tuesday he is 'pessimistic' that the
Zimbabwean agreement will bring 'either peace or democracy.' He questioned
the commitment of ZANU PF to the deal, and said the public are being asked
to believe that the same party that violently attacked MDC members and
supporters 'can share power with the opposition.' Friedman argued that the
deal is therefore not a vindication of Mbeki's policy and the agreement is
one that Mbeki 'should not be particularly proud of.'

Friedman however maintained that Mbeki is unlikely to step down as the South
African President despite the political battle being waged in his country.
Friedman argued that Mbeki has not been directly implicated in Zuma's now
defunct corruption case and added that Zuma himself has said that now is not
the time for Mbeki to leave.

.

SW Radio Africa Zimbabwe news

The Makoni Factor

Silence Chihuri

When Dr Simba Makoni announced his bid to stand against Robert Mugabe under
the Mavambo/Dawn banner in the March presidential poll, I was one of the
very first people to analyse his bid and came up to the conclusion that was
very harsh and blunt. In short, I described Dr Makoni's project as a
potential political carpet under which a lot and I meant a great lot, of
ZANU PF dirty could be swept.

My reasoning for that conclusion was simply on the basis of the initial
outlook of the bid and especially some of the names that were being put
forward as the people behind the Mavambo/Dawn project. I know Simba Makoni
quite well and I was convinced that he was genuinely looking for something
new for Zimbabweans. However, I was not quite equally convinced that with
that kind of backers breathing down his neck he could be able to effectively
and comprehensively deliver what exactly Zimbabweans needed at that crucial
hour. I just could not buy that at least by then.

I have seen Zimbabweans being short-changed for nearly thirty years by a
government that has so self-indulging and arrogant in its pursuits. I have
also seen the suffering of the Zimbabwean people being prolonged needlessly
and to some extend due to ineffective opposition that was largely unaided by
the work of a cabal of individuals whose very reasoning for entering
politics was self aggrandisement rather than national duty. And for another
defective project to be launched on the eve of such a crucial election and
potentially thwart an outright victory for the opposition was just too much
to stomach for me. So I said no but no thanks to the Mavambo/Dawn project in
the first instance.

One thing I have always said I will not do during my political exploits is
to rigidly tie myself to a certain school of thought or line of thinking or
let alone fail to adjust my political reasoning to the dictates of the daily
changing life of our people. I have always vowed to follow an adaptive way
of political thinking, speak my mind without shame or fear, and to make
decisions to do with my political activities that I will always base on what
I think is in the best interests of my country. In short, I have always
followed what I call my personal guiding principles and most of my decisions
are based on these.

It was on the basis of these personal guiding principles that I joined
politics. I am not in politics for anything otherwise and I like politics
that deliver on the people's expectations. I also believe very strongly that
people should put the national banner before the party political banner.
That way you remain flexible in decision making and adaptive in thinking. It
was that kind of approach that brought me to the most remarkable about-turns
in my political thinking leading on to my backing of Dr Makoni after
initially rejecting his bid. It was not as simple as that however, but
rather a culmination of events and discussions.

There was a lot of buzz around the Kusile project and there were a lot of
people who thought it was a great development right from the start because
Zimbabweans had been searching for a long time for the so-called reformed
ZANU PF politicians. These could either reform the rotting party from within
or like in Dr Makoni's case take a much more drastic route of setting up
shop just outside the ZANU PF mall. It was a brave move on Dr Makoni's part
but one that still left a lot of Zimbabweans unfazed though, because of the
mistrust they held for someone like him who had been in ZANU PF for his
entire political career.

There are certain people who tend to personalise politics forgetting that it
is a national game that everyone is entitled to partake in without
manipulation or patronisation. I have seen this kind of attitude tending to
hamper progressive and fruitful politics. There is a tendency to label
everything that is not mainstream MDC as either the work of ZANU PF or a
ploy by those behind it to derail the people's movement. People must never
forget however, that the days of ZANU PF will be over and the MDC will be
the main party. When people start to oppose the MDC for shortcomings there
will be similar jibes that will be thrown around, i.e. anything other than
whatever party will be there to oppose the MDC being labelled the work of
the MDC to thwart effective opposition to it!

I strongly believe that there should always be a period of effective
analysis that would be followed by due acceptance or rejection. There should
also be room for benefit of the doubt rather than perennial denial and
rejection. This was why after my lengthy and critical analysis of the Dr
Makoni bid, and a very close look at some of the very essential aspects of
it that did not come out as initially alleged, I chose to support it in the
end. Firstly, I spoke to the people very close to the bid to get it first
hand and people like Major Kudzai Mbudzi for instance, made it very clear
that only credible and genuinely committed people were behind the bid.
People like Dumiso Dabengwa a very roundly respected politician and liberal
minded ZANU PF figure would be among the key backers and to me there could
be no fitting persona more than Danbengwa.

I have in the past expressed some misgivings towards Dabengwa for giving
Mugabe and ZANU PF too much leeway thereby leaving all the work to the likes
of Welshman Mabhena to try to keep them in check. Therefore, when Dabengwa
threw his weight behind the Makoni bid that gave it a lot of credibility
because Dumiso is one of our very well respected leaders who is neither a
tribalist nor a ZANU PF ideologue. Dabengwa saw in the Dr Makoni bid what a
lot of other Zimbabweans did not see in the initial stages and this was the
great potential to effectively undo ZANU PF and to un-wrap the MDC as the
clear people project.

A lot of people questioned our wisdom for supporting Dr Makoni while it was
the MDC that was poised to take over in Zimbabwe but some of us could see
that from the way things were going there was an urgent need for another
major play to help shake ZANU PF. For some of us it was not about
positioning or hedging against an MDC that would be a future government. It
was about principles and seeing what Zimbabwe needed at that time as a
catalyst to a stalled process. This is why I for one will continue to shift
my political allegiance as long as this is in the interest of my country.
The history and nature of our politics shows a culture of flexibility and
this is why most of the current politicians leading the country today
started with one political movement or another.

The Dr Makoni bid actually gave Zimbabweans a reality check on their
politics and the politicians behind it. It gave Zimbabweans three stuck
choices in Mugabe and his ZANU PF, Dr Makoni and Mavambo/Dawn and Tsvangirai
and the MDC. There could only be one clear winner in that contest and that
was Tsvangirai. Tsvangirai's win was both historical as it was symbolic
because Mugabe had proven in the preceding 27 years that he was just simply
a power obsessed ideologue who did not exercise what he perennially
preached. And regardless of the in-house problems that had plagued the MDC
in the runner up to the March polls, Zimbabweans came out in full force to
vote for the party because it presented the clear choice.

The MDC is riding high at the moment, both on loyal as well as protest
support. How ever, this might change with time as is the nature with
politics. As for Dr Makoni well, he the man has acquitted himself
exceptionally well so far. Despite the undue insinuations by some critics
that Dr Makoni would adulterate himself with ZANU PF during and after the
polls, the learned doc has stuck to his word. Also, Dr Makoni was one of the
very first people to propose a government of national unity or a
power-sharing arrangement of some sort with Mugabe and his ZANU PF as a way
of ending the impasse. Again he was castigated as simply trying to prop up
ZANU PF when a hard line stance seemed then to be the toast of the day. Dr
Makoni had the vision to see what sort of solution was needed to end our
political situation that had dragged on for years. To his credit, Dr Makoni
steered completely clear of the protracted talks while certain amateur
politicians were prostituting themselves left right and centre to gain an
undeserved shot at the centre of Zimbabwean politics.

The very people who were labelling Makoni a ZANU PF protégé were the ones
who ended with Mugabe at the high table. It is this kind of purposelessly
hard line politics that prolonged the situation in our country. While
everyone was busy blaming Mbeki and his failure to 'solve' the Zimbabwean
crisis Zimbabwean politician were far from seriously courting each other to
find a solution. Zimbabweans must have never had to die and suffer in this
manner simply for a dot on the line. The MDC long lost the edge to win an
outright victory so as to unseat ZANU PF regardless of the insaneness of the
latter. A serious look at negotiation rather than grand-standing must have
been explored long way back.

Now that the agreement has been signed it will be time to see how the MDC
will carry the day for Zimbabwean especially in the face of a ZANU PF whose
head has not been completely smothered. The agreement is neither clear nor
decisive when it comes to the consignment of ZANU PF to the dustbins of
politics. What it has done is rather throw a much needed lifeline to an
ailing political monster that is ZANU PF. Time will also tell if the British
and US governments will stick to their word and make available the promised
billions for economic and social redevelopment because a lot of time was
wasted and many opportunities missed in resolving the Zimbabwean crises.
Sadly this supposedly historic agreement has now coincided with very testing
times in the history of world economics. Most of the western nations that
could have come in handy with money to turn Zimbabwe around are all reeling
under the credit crunch.

As for Dr Makoni well, he has demonstrated beyond reasonable doubt that he
is a man of principles and integrity. Zimbabwe needs politicians of
integrity and consistency and not flip-floppers who go with the tide. This
is why I will I will continue to support Dr Makoni unless he throws in the
towel. I am sure Dr Makoni will now get down to serious organisational
business that he wouldn't have done without taking the limelight out of the
talks. Zimbabwe can never again afford to have a dominant ruling party and
lightweight opposition as what happened to ZANU PF for years. This is the
time to lay the strongest ever foundation for opposition politics in a
Zimbabwe were repression and retribution will surely be a thing of the past.

Silence Chihuri is a Zimbabwean writer who writes from Scotland. He is also
the Director of Africa Good Governance Lobby Group (AGGLG)
http://www.agglg.org

However his views are his own and have nothing to do with the policy and
mission of the AGGLG. Contact Silence on silencechihuri@googlemail.com Mob
07706376705

Zimbabwe vetting 60 Somali, Ethiopian asylum seekers

http://www.apanews.net



APA-Harare (Zimbabwe) A group of more than 60 Somali and Ethiopian
asylum seekers is being vetted by Zimbabwean police after entering into the
country Monday from Mozambique, Radio Zimbabwe reported here Tuesday.

The radio said the asylum seekers entered Zimbabwe illegally through
Nyamapanda border post, a gateway to Mozambique and Malawi, which is located
200 km northeast of the Zimbabwean capital Harare.

A police spokesperson told the radio that the asylum seekers were
taken to Harare Remand Prison from where they are being vetted.

The Nyamapanda border post has been a favourite for many foreign
nationals illegally entering Zimbabwe en route to South Africa.

Over the years refugees from Somalia, Sudan, Ethiopia, Rwanda and
Burundi have crossed into South Africa through Zimbabwe.

Several others have settled in Zimbabwe after getting asylum status.

JN/nm/APA
2008-09-16

Comments from Correspendents

Am a kenyan with alot of interest in the struggle of Zimbabwe. i have
headed many solidarity missions to zimbabwe in the past to assure
zimbabweans that freedom will have to come one day. Yesterdays signing of
agreement was a big rilief on may part as a long-term ally of the Zimbabwe
people.

Mugabe speech was nothing but purely revolutionary and sympathy seeking from
the ZANU-PF war vetarans who have put zimbabwe in the current shape of
economic and social decay.His speech address the past and NOT the current
situation. many may appreiate his past as a fighter of 80's but today what
we need is leadership. He failed to recoginse moragn as prime minister in
his speech.
He ought to have given a reconcilliatory speech and willing to give the
people of zimbabwe some hope as morgan did in his speech. Zimbabwe is not
Mugabe and Mugabe is not Zimbabwe. Zimbabwe belongs to zimbabweans and
therefore will always decide their future with or without mugabe.

Mugabe must accept that this is a new era and nobody can afford to live in
the past instead lets start working on our future as a people.

The biggest challenge lies with Mugabe and his cronies. They must admit that
the blood that was shade during the Zimbabwe struggle from their colonial
masters is far less than the blood that has been shade in the hands of
mugabe and his millitias.

Live long the people of zimbabwe.

-----------

Never make a deal with the devil, he will get you later for inconveniencing
him.

This whole power sharing deal to me and I am sure many other fellow
Zimbabweans, was rushed into, rather than removing the problem. They have
seemed to side with it, as the saying 'Never make a deal with the devil; he
will get you later for inconveniencing him'. This is not what we voted for
and certainly not the way forward. Yes, some good may come out of this, but,
hey, have they forgotten Robert Mugabe's ways! LEOPARDS do not change their
spots. The proof he will never change is in the statement straight after the
political settlement signing, banging on about the west when certainly they
have no play in Zimbabwe's melt down, when will somebody make this clear to
this tyrant. This is proof that Robert Mugabe has no interest in the
settlement but is trying to save his own future along with those heavily
involved with him.

The only way to resolve these issues is by locating the problem and removing
it from the roots, as a surgeon removes a cancerous growth from ones body.
Zimbabwe is the body and Robert Mugabe and his cronies are the cancerous
growth, which needs to be removed before any healing and improvement to the
body can be felt and a full restoration of justice, democracy and an end to
the brutal regime of Robert Mugabe.

Robert Mugabe has stolen a country and is making it's people suffer, is this
not enough for the rest of Africa to see, or are they blinded by the fact
they are doing similar things to their own country and keeping the world
from pointing finger at them whilst the focus is on Zimbabwe.

The core of the country's problems centres on land distribution and not what
they keep banging on about, 'sanctions the world has imposed on Zimbabwe'
these sanctions are not against Zimbabwe or it's population but only those
that are responsible for bringing Zimbabwe to it's knees.
This is a statement by the party's chief negotiator, Patrick Chinamasa,
"When these countries imposed sanctions against us - it was devastating and
we are in this situation economically because of those sanctions. So, I am
obviously happy if there are any signs that those countries who illegally
imposed those sanctions are considering re-lifting them - and if they do,
this country will take off economically in a manner you will never believe
and in the shortest possible time."
How can a country survive when one gets rid of its source of wealth and
survival with out a plan to replace it with better means? These real issues
need to be addressed and prosecute those responsible for the melt down in
Zimbabwe the last 10 years.

I agree, that the power sharing will or should end the starvation in
Zimbabwe and bring it off her knees, bring foreign investors back in too but
who is willing to come back in when the problem is still governing the
country. We voted for the MDC, and Morgan Tsvangirai to be President not
Prime-minister, if any thing Robert Mugabe should be Prime-minister at the
most, he should be striped of his titles and let the country pick up the
pieces that have been left behind along the way of destruction.

We can only hope and pray that God will Bless this deal as it certainly was
not His will or way. Zimbabwe needs a lot of pray at this point, as Mugabe
claims, 'only God can remove him from power' so lets pray along those lines,
Gods will be done. Amen.
S.A

----------

ZIMBABWE'S RULERS SEEK PERSONAL GLORY AT THE EXPENSE OF SUBJECTS' WELFARE

Since independence, the policies of Zimbabwe's rulers have been informed
more by a burning desire to get recognition and glory as world renowned
statesmen, than the will to advance the interests of Zimbabweans.

The world -acclaimed policy of national reconciliation proclaimed in 1980,
was the fist sign of the Zimbabwe rulers' priorities. Without doubt, the
policy of reconciliation was noble in the circumstances to provide a
foundation for nation building. However, it was aimed more at getting
Zimbabwe's rulers a place in history as statesmen than advancing the cause
of Zimbabweans. In the misguided spirit of reconciliation we neglected to
force those of our white citizens to abandon their racist ways against
blacks. As a result black farm labourers continued to live and work in
appalling slave-like conditions on the farms, just as before independence.
The rulers made no effort to get whites to repent from their racist ways or
get them to appreciate the need to share land equitably, all in the false
spirit of reconciliation. As a result, race relations in the country did not
improve as whites felt no need to repent from and abandon their Rhodesian
anti-black outlook.

To show that the policy of reconciliation was more of a publicity stunt than
a gesture aimed at nation-building, the triumphant black rulers only
extended the olive branch to whites and not to fellow blacks. As a result,
the new black rulers did not find it worth their while to reconcile with
their black war-era adversaries like Ndabaningi Sithole, Henry Hamadziripi,
Bishop Abel Muzorewa and Dzinashe Machingura.  Sithole and Hamadziripi were
not forgiven even in death as they were denied an opportunity o be buried at
the hallowed Heroes Acre.

Having announced their presence on the world stage with the self-serving
policy of national reconciliation, the Zimbabwe leaders proceeded to put in
place the physical infrastructure necessary for them to play out their
glory-seeking foreign policy. They built the Harare Sheraton Hotel a white
elephant in a sea of poverty, to host world leaders and international talk
shops. Soon after the completion of the Sheraton prestige project, the
Zimbabwean leaders hosted the Nan-Aligned Movement, in keeping with their
desire to enhance their standing in the international community.

The National Sports Stadium was yet another prestige project meant to give
the spotlight-crazy Zimbabwe leadership a place to hold national events from
which to pontificate to the bemused masses in their impressive English.

 The annual Heroes Day commemorations are only a platform for the leaders to
get a platform and an opportunity to showcase their oratory skills and
posture as the world's most daring leaders who can fire broadsides at the
world's white leaders with (reckless?) abandon. The Zimbabwe ruling elite's
actions since independence clearly show that genuinely remembering the
gallant fallen and living heroes has never been one of its priorities.

Since independence, they have been obsessed with pursuing a glory-seeking
foreign policy to the almost total exclusion of advancing the interest of
the liberation war heroes living and departed whose sacrifices brought them
to power in the first place. The leaders are more interested in "dealing a
felling blow to that intransigent and incorrigible racism" (in the words of
His Excellency the President of Zimbabwe) ahead of improving the lot of
their black people.

While the country's leadership annually pontificates at the obscenely
opulent Heroes Acre on Heroes Day, there are still a lot of fallen war
heroes who lie in unmarked graves in and outside the country. A group of
concerned war veterans going by the name, Fallen Heroes: The Exhumers is
literally scavenging in the bush using their bare hands in search of the
remains of their comrades, with no state support whatsoever.

While the country's leaders use the occasion to remember the fallen heroes
to fire more broadsides against imperialists, Mai Tapiwa in Mberengwa at
Chegato wonders how and when she will ever get to see where her brother Cde
Zvandasara lies buried, more than thirty years after he left for the
liberation war. Mbuya Jura in Rusape has given up hope of ever knowing how
her beloved son Tendai perished in the war and where his remains lie.
Mainini Madube in Mberengwa at Chavengwa is has resigned to the fact that
her wish to know where the remains of her war veteran brother Abraham lie,
will never be granted in her life time. But the concerns of these peasants
must be subordinated to and come second to the selfish leaders'
all-important goal of "dealing another blow to that intransigent and
incorrigible racism" and imperialism, even if it means Zimbabweans will be
reduced to beggars and economic refugees all over the world as a result.

In the 80s and 90s, the Zimbabwean leaders were happy to globe-trot,
hobnobbing on the world stage with the self-same white imperialists they
denounce today, while the war veterans, the people whose sacrifices brought
them into office were wallowing in abject poverty. It had to take a March On
State House   in 1997, orchestrated by the fiery war-veteran-loving Dr.
Chenjerai Hunzvi to get the leaders to remember the suffering war veterans.

It was only concerned black entrepreneurs through the AAG (Affirmative
Action Group) and IBDC (Indigenous Business Development Centre) who
championed the cause of black businesses in the 90s while government leaders
were content to bask in the glory of their role as chief protector of white
interests through the policy of reconciliation.

The much-hyped land reform when it finally came was motivated more by the
leaders' desire to vicariously strike a blow against the British through
grabbing their white kith and kin's farms, than a genuine desire to empower
black Zimbabweans.

True to their goal of self-aggrandisement ,the leadership committed national
resources to turning Zimbabwe into the USA of Africa, policing the African
continent while Zimbabweans continued to sink into poverty. I thought
charity was supposed to begin at home. They spent millions of US dollars in
the war in far away DRC, spent yet more millions of US dollars fighting
RENAMO in Mozambique. All this, while Zimbabweans continued to suffer in
poverty just like in the colonial times. While the Mozambican campaign may
be justified considering how the

Mozambicans had helped Zimbabweans in their fight for independence, the DRC
campaign cannot be explained in any other way except self-aggrandisement.

If it was genuine principled Pan-African solidarity that motivated the
Zimbabwean leaders to commit more resources to turning Zimbabwe into Africa's
self-appointed continental police man at the expense of the welfare of
Zimbabweans, why did they refuse to give South Africa's PAC and ANC space to
set up bases from which to launch their fight against apartheid?  Could it
be a cowardly realisation that Zimbabwe was no match for the apartheid
regime's mean fighting machine? In contrast to Zimbabwe's cowardly refusal
to host ANC and PAC bases, Kaunda in true principled African solidarity
through thick and thin, hosted all liberation movements from Southern Africa
giving them guerrilla bases, including Zimbabweans, even though Zambia
shared a border with the powerful Rhodesians. While Samora sold out the ANC
at Nkomati, Kaunda remained steadfast until all the Southern African
countries gained freedom and independence. Zimbabweans paid mere lip service
to the cause of total African independence from colonialism and apartheid.

So, evidently, Zimbabwe's current leaders can not be counted among genuine
and sincere African heroes who dedicated their lives to improving the lives
of the Africans at home and in the Diaspora. These genuine and sincere
African freedom fighters are people like Nelson Mandela, Kwame Nkhrumah,
Thomas Sankara, Julius Nyerere, Kenneth Kaunda, Martin Luther King Junior,
Malcolm X, Oliver Thambo, Dedan Kimathi, Bob Marley, and Marcus Garvey.
Zimbabwean leaders are merely a bunch of shameless power-obsessed,
self-important hypocrites who opportunistically use the cloak of
Pan-Africanism to camouflage their selfish interests.  They are more
interested in caressing their monstrous egos than improving the lot of the
citizenry of Zimbabwe.

Zimbabwe: A new Start

16 September, 2008

For Immediate Release

Save Zimbabwe Campaign New Zealand hails the political parties in Zimbabwe for agreeing to turn weapons of political violence into ploughshares and work on mechanisms to rebuild over a period of 18 months.

We particularly respect the depth of the new Prime Minister’s acceptance speech as he showed the commitment and clear grasp of the gravity of what lies ahead.

We also applaud the SADC chairman’s (President Thabo Mbeki) call to immediately help Zimbabwe mobilise resources to salvage this year’s agriculture season which begins end of October. The need for seed, fertiliser, draught power and fuel cannot be over emphasised if Zimbabweans are to farm and feed themselves.

While not impressed by a bloated cabinet of 31, we do note that in a compromise arrangement, this becomes a necessary evil.

Save Zimbabwe Campaign NZ calls upon all Zimbabweans at home and away to engage in the necessary political processes and help rebuild and restore democracy. The Constitutional process is one such window among many that will require everyone’s input.

The compromise deal cannot stand on its own as it is a statement of intent. It will require goodwill from all parties, a robust media that will keep the citizenry informed and most importantly international capital.

We do hope the international community will not fail the people of Zimbabwe on this great window of opportunity and need.

Ends.

Mandla Akhe Dube (General Secretary), 03 366 9274 Ext 113
Adams Makope, Auckland Region 021 027 24797
Driden Kunaka (Wellington Region) 021 0466814
Elouise Chicksen (Christchurch) 03 343 1250