Madiba to comment on Zimbabwe tonight, and …
This via The Times.
It is understood that Mr Mandela will issue a condemnation of the chaos engulfing Zimbabwe, though he will not call for any specific action to be taken against Mr Mugabe.
But the words of such a universally respected figure will carry weight around the world. “Whatever he says, people will act upon,†the source said.
His statement will also intensify the pressure on the South African president, Thabo Mbeki, who has so far avoided public criticism of Mr Mugabe, and will be taken as a sign that Mr Mandela believes the policy of quiet diplomacy has run its course.
There is a cherry on the top of this long awaited cake… also via The Times:
Robert Mugabe has been stripped of his honorary knighthood, as the pressure grows on him to postpone Friday’s run-off election.
The Queen has approved the annulment of the honour on the advice of the Foreign Secretary, David Miliband, in protest at Mr Mugabe’s misrule.
“This action has been taken as a mark of revulsion at the abuse of human rights and abject disregard for the democratic process in Zimbabwe over which President Mugabe has presided,” the Foreign Office said.
You can sign Madiba’s Birthday card from ACTSA over here. It says it is from the people of Britain but I signed it anyway!
June 25th, 2008 19:41
This is excerpted from Kumekucha. If possible post it as a main topic. thanks
Rhyymemaster:
Resolutions & Communique’ From The Public Forum Held at the Kenyatta International Conference Centre in Nairobi On June 25, 2008 On the Tragic Developments in Zimbabwe
We the representatives of the Government, political parties, civil society and the public of Kenya;
Having gathered at the Kenyatta International Conference Centre in Nairobi on Wednesday, June 25, 2008 to deliberate on the escalating political, economic, social and security crisis in Zimbabwe;
Having affirmed our unity and solidarity with the people of Zimbabwe;
Cognizant of the consensus of African and World Opinion expressing serious concerns on the tragic and deteriorating situation in Zimbabwe;
Desirous of entrenching democracy, peace, sustainable development and national healing in Zimbabwe do make the following resolutions:
RESOLUTIONS:
1.
The government and people of Kenya stand in solidarity with the people of Zimbabwe as they struggle for democracy, peace and development.
2.
The people and government of Kenya demand the postponement of elections in Zimbabwe until conditions are created that will enable free and fair elections – in the event that the run off proceeds under the current conditions, the Kenya government and its people shall not recognize a leadership under a flawed process;
3.
We condemn the blatant violations of human rights and demand that Robert Gabriel Mugabe and ZANU-PF take immediate steps to end the campaign of state terror and violence against peaceful, democracy seeking people of Zimbabwe;
4.
We call for the immediate release of Tendai Biti MP and Secretary General of the MDC and the party’s chief mediator; all MDC leaders, lawyers arrested because of their defense of political, constitutional and human rights freedoms and all other Zimbabweans currently languishing in prison on trumped up charges;
5.
We condemn the gagging of the media, the harassment and repression of journalists in Zimbabwe and demand that the illegitimate Mugabe regime immediately restore the freedom of the press, freedom of expression and other fundamental rights;
6.
We support the efforts of the African Union to broker peace and foster democratic development in Zimbabwe but call for change of approach. Specifically we call upon the AU and its member states:
a) Not to recognize Robert Gabriel Mugabe’s illegitimate presidency;
b) Declare the purported run off scheduled for June 27, 2008 as illegal, illegitimate and inconsequential;
c) Note that the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission is discredited and should be reconstituted for a fresh election;
d) Take decisive action to intervene in the Zimbabwe crisis up to and including the “Anjuan Option”;
e) Send in a peace-keeping force to stop the spate of violence, atrocities, especially crimes against humanity;
f) Replace President Mbeki from spearheading the negotiations because of his overt bias towards Mugabe and dismal failure to oversee a credible mediation process.
7.
The AU must take immediate steps to adequately address the human rights and humanitarian crisis in Zimbabwe among them;
a) Put together a major regional fact-finding mission on gross human rights violations; with special attention to questions of sexual violence and abrogation of the rights of women and children;
b) Call upon the Peace & Security Council of the AU to hold an urgent and special session on Zimbabwe;
c) Demand for the postponement of t he run off election of the 27th June, 2008.
8.
The people and government of Kenya are fully behind the recent UN Security Council unprecedented and unanimous decision to censure the Mugabe regime’s anti-democratic determination to hold fraudulent elections in a climate of fear and intimidation as he holds the people of Zimbabwe at ransom;
9.
We call upon and encourage the victors and the losers in the March 29 elections in Zimbabwe to embrace dialogue in order to work out a framework for a sustainable democratic transition on the basis of electoral results, truth and justice;
10.
We pledge to use all democratic methods to protest the human rights violations and repressive policies of the discredited Mugabe-ZANU PF regime And we will take all steps within the law to promote the human rights, political freedoms and peace in Zimbabwe;
11.
We reaffirm our solidarity and support for Zimbabwean IDPs inside the country and Zimbabwean refugees and exiles outside the country. In this connection we call upon the AU member states to make special provisions for any Zimbabwean asylum seekers and refugee claimants seeking protection anywhere within the continent.
12.
We call upon the international community to impose targeted sanctions on Mugabe, and his coterie both in government and ZANU PF and their immediate families by:
1.
Revoking and or denying visas of any kind;
2.
Freeze their assets anywhere in the world;
3.
Hold Mugabe culpable for the violent use and abuse of Zimbabwean youth in perpetrating violence, crimes against humanity, repression and economic sabotage in the country;
4.
The International Criminal Court (ICC) should institute investigations against Mugabe for crimes against humanity.
13.
We condemn all the world leaders and states that are coddling and condoning the pariah Mugabe regime while African citizens in that country are dying and languishing in Mugabe’s dungeons;
14.
We call upon all democracy seeking human rights defenders around the world to pitch camp outside the diplomatic missions of Zimbabwe around the world on Friday June 27th, 2008 in solidarity with the people of Zimbabwe;
Signed for the Government of Kenya;
Rt. Hon. Raila Amolo Odinga, Prime Minister of Kenya
Hon. Moses Wetangula, MP, Minister for Foreign Affairs
Signed for Centre for Multi-Party Democracy-Kenya
Prof. Larry Gumbe, Chairperson
Njeri Kabeberi, Executive Director
Signed for the National Civil Society Congress
Ann Njogu
Kepta Ombati
Signed for Kenyans for Peace with Truth and Justice
Harun Ndubi
Mugambi Kiai
Signed for Bunge la Mwananchi
George Nyongesa
Kelly Musyoka
June 25th, 2008 20:11
Also, just heard on the radio here in the UK that the government here is stripping him of his honorary knighthood – the first time this has been done since Romanian dictator Nicolae Ceausescu in 1989, the day before his execution.
I know it won’t mean anything to him, but I’m happy, because it means that finally the world is taking this seriously, and is really outraged at what’s going on in Zimbabwe. It’s good; and we need to keep the focus here – so let’s all do everything we can to keep people talking about this issue and put pressure wherever we can for a swift resolution of this crisis. We all have our part to play, and I most definitely have not lost hope yet!
June 25th, 2008 20:16
Hearing that Mugabe was stipped of his knighthood gave me a glimmer of glee – but really what’s it worth. His syphalytic brain will gloat that the Queen can keep her sword – he’ll keep his country.
But, whhat about some real investigation into Mugabe’s supposed stash of wealth in overseas banks.
Maybe a few readers of this blog know some facts for everyone to cash in on (so to speak)!
Money speaks loudest – stripping him of that might sting very badly. And there is a very deserving MDC waiting in the wings who would put that money to very good use in a beautiful country from where it was stolen by Mugabe in the first place.
June 25th, 2008 20:24
Whites in Zim had better be on the look out. His nibs may be so put out there could be a backlash.
June 25th, 2008 21:15
@ ants, 25/6, 20.16
Good point. I don’t at the moment know where the Mugabe stash is located, but Gideon Gono, amongst other things, owns a very productive and valuable farm in Mazowe, East of Harare, where he employs about a thousand Zimbabweans under a Dutch farm manager. From there he quietly ships out flowers, mostly roses, each week to Malaysia. He is reputed to have earned many millions (thats US dollars) that way. But which bank in Malaysia I cannot say. Of course, they’re all at it, even vice-President Joyce Mujuru who has cornered the sugar market. The reason why sugar is so scarce is that she transports thousands of tons of it over the border each week through the border post to Mozambique. So the trucks roll out and the money rolls in. But where? That’s the question.
June 25th, 2008 22:00
Dear SOK.
The following link is worth looking at.
http://www.hararetribune.com/Articles08/Articles06/Articles25-27/news251.php
June 25th, 2008 22:21
Just seen this of News24 website – wonder if this indeed will have any effect……
London – Nelson Mandela says there has been a tragic failure of leadership in Zimbabwe in his first public comments about the country’s political crisis.
The ex-South African president made the comments at a dinner on Wednesday in London attended by former US president Bill Clinton.
Mandela’s comments will be a blow to Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe who speaks proudly of the country’s alliance with South Africa during Zimbabwe’s struggle for independence.
Mugabe has been under pressure to call off a presidential run-off vote after opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai pulled out of the race saying he could not ask his supporters to risk being killed for voting for him.
June 25th, 2008 23:12
Interesting comments by Heidi Holland on the BBC news earlier. She doesn’t believe Mugabe will take any notice of Madiba as he is jealous of him and the status he has. Further, she believes that if Britain took a different tack it would have the most influence on him. I think it would be too late for Britain to try a friendly approach and I dont really agree, but she has met the man and seems to have a pretty good picture of him. She also beleives that the loss of the knighthood will have the greatest effect on him.
June 26th, 2008 03:37
Former Malaysian premier Mahathir Mohamad was/still is another badass and a buddy of Mugabe. Mahathir was far more successful though. There about the same age. I believe Mahatmir has set up an array of accounts in Malaysia and elsewhere to stash away the wealth of Zimbabwe, Gono included.
The UN should investigate into the Zimbabwe’s dealings with Mahatmir.
June 26th, 2008 06:12
@FishEagle – mmm…
A couple of these sorts of documents are floating in the ether. I wonder what foundation they have? Certainly a scribe of distinction!
I’m not even sure how they make me feel. But, maybe, just maybe, at some point in history the people of Zim must arise and take back their freedom themselves. And maybe there really are one or more underground organisations preparing for this enevitability.
And if so, I wonder if the world at large will present the other face and condemn such an event, crying “foul”! Wouldn’t that be a laugh?
Oh well – stiring words in that article nonetheless. Let’s hope their organisational skill matches their eloquence.
June 26th, 2008 11:28
Take all comments about groups being formed for uprisings etc with a massive pinch of salt and healthy dose of suspicion. We have seen and heard these before and so far nothing has ever been verifiable. There is nothing JOC would like better than for the media to seize on these rumours and go wild with them because it would justify their claim they are under invasion from western sponsored forces. You only need to cast your mind back to the MT treason trial and badly edited videotapes, and more recently to the badly forged letter supposedly written by Tendai Biti. They are very capable of trying to plant rumours and comments in newspapers and blogs and forums.
June 26th, 2008 16:22
Condemn, international outcry, signatures, stripping of knighthood, failure in leadership, bla, bla, bla………..
Do you for one moment think all the people in the horrible photo’s on this site give a s#$t about the comments and so-called actions by international leaders?
June 26th, 2008 20:11
I believe justice must be done against all the criminals that caused such shambles and suffering and all the assets etc. must be confiscated as let us be honest, many lives were lost and maimed and injured that need to be taken care of and that costs money, which is available if the right action is taken.The the perpetrators must be tried as well.Action must be taken against leaders that cannot rule.