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Zimbabwe Situation

EU’s policy stinks – Zimbabwe Vigil Diary: 31st May 2014

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via EU’s policy stinks – Zimbabwe Vigil Diary: 31st May 2014 posted June 1, 2014

There was speculation at the Vigil that the eagerness of the EU to offer hundreds of millions of dollars to the Zanu PF regime may be linked to reports that Mugabe is to step down soon.

The London Sunday Times last week quoted sources close to the half-blind Mugabe as saying ill health had forced him to tell his confidantes that he couldn’t continue and wanted his replacement installed by the end of the year.

This was followed by a report that Mugabe is to call off the Zanu PF elective congress set for December which was expected to endorse Vice President Mujuru as his successor. EU ambassadors have made clear their fingers-clamped-to-the-nose preference for Mujuru as the less smelly face of Zanu PF.

Mugabe was said, however, to have been told by the Joint Operations Command to leave it to the military to manage a takeover by Mujuru’s rival, Justice Minister Mnangagwa (see: Mugabe to cancel Zanu PF succession congress – https://www.zimbabwesituation.com/news/zimsit_mugabe-to-cancel-zanu-pf-succession-congress/).

The remaining EU sanctions against Mugabe and Grace are the only real impediments to the EU’s embrace of the Zanu PF mafia as an alternative to a military takeover in Zimbabwe. Mugabe’s departure would clear the way for the financial package for the unreformed regime scheduled to be discussed in November.

Finance Minister Chinamasa expressed confidence that the remaining targeted measures would be removed: “We have faith that the lapse of sanctions would, as promised by the European Union, pave way for normalisation of economic relations between Zimbabwe and the European Union”, he said. The EU Ambassador Aldo Dell’Ariccia spoke excitedly of ‘re-engagement in action’ (see https://www.zimbabwesituation.com/news/zimsit_eu-pledges-millions-to-zanu-pf-as-part-of-re-engagement/ – EU pledges millions to ZANU PF as part of re-engagement).

The stink of the compromised diplomatic community in Zimbabwe was overpowering at a Book Café meeting in Harare at which Zanu PF murderer and rapist Buhera MP Joseph Chinotimba was welcomed as a guest of honour (and apparently ‘brought the house down’ with his jokes). MDC T spokesman Douglas Mwonsara said: “The diplomatic community is forgetting that ZANU PF committed these horrendous crimes. We see them gracing these occasions as if everything is fine, and it is outrageous” (see: https://www.zimbabwesituation.com/news/zimsit_violence-leader-chinoz-embraced-as-book-cafe-guest-of-honour/ – Violence leader Chinoz embraced as Book Café ‘guest of honour’).

We at the Vigil are disgusted that the EU is selling out the people of Zimbabwe by ‘normalising’ relations with the Zanu PF murder machine. We will certainly not be taking up Minister Simon Khaya Moyo’s appeal to the diaspora to return home.

Vigil supporter Dr Clifford Mashiri has appealed to the EU not to release the money to the Zanu PF regime until it allows the diaspora vote (see: http://www.zimvigil.co.uk/vigil-news/campaign-news/589-reply-to-mr-emmerson-mnangagwa-restorezimdiasporavote).

Other Points

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: 33 signed the register. 

EVENTS AND NOTICES:

–        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.

 

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