Links ~ 8 July 2008
July 9th, 2008
Full text: G8′s Zimbabwe statement (BBC)
Full text of G8 leaders’ statement on Zimbabwe, adopted at the summit in Japan.
SA, United Kingdom divided over Zimbabwe (SABCnews)
South Africa and Britain failed to reach agreement on how to resolve the crises in Zimbabwe. British Foreign Secretary David Miliband is attending the SA/UK bi-national forum in South Africa. Miliband is trying to persuade the South African government and the ANC to support sanctions against Zimbabwe. South Africa would not comment on the legitimacy of Robert Mugabe’s presidency and are trying to block sanctions. Miliband met with the ANC president Jacob Zuma on Tuesday.
Pressure on Barclays Bank to pull out of Zimbabwe (Newsreel)
Lesley Griffiths a member of the Welsh Assembly in the UK has called on Barclays Bank to “make a stand†and suspend its operations in Zimbabwe. Griffiths said that Barclays UK had a 67% controlling share in Barclays Bank of Zimbabwe. It “provides loans and invests in government bonds that indirectly enable Mugabe to finance his regime of terror,†said Griffiths. Any commercial bank operating in Zimbabwe has to, by law, re-invest 40% of its profits in Zimbabwean Government bonds. Barclays continued presence in Zimbabwe thus gives Mugabe’s regime access to vital foreign exchange.
Stop trading with Zim, UK tells Anglo (The Times – SA)
UK Minister of Trade Gareth Thomas said he would advise Anglo American to rethink whether an investment of $400 million into a platinum mine at Unki would be appropriate at the present time. Thomas encouraged the international community to consider the existing sanctions in place against Zimbabwe and to see if it could be extended to increase pressure on Zimbabwe. Thomas said that a number of multinational companies trading in Zimbabwe have already decided to withdraw from Zimbabwe.
Gokwe under siege as violence and torture escalates (SWRA / Newsreel)
Zanu-PF supporters and militia have intensified its campaign of terror on MDC supporters. Sources said that armed groups and youth militia have completely shut down Gokwe, with roadblocks, to prevent aid agencies from reaching victims of torture in the area. Reportedly, at least 32 civilians have been hospitalised with severe burns and axe wounds and at least 3 deaths have been confirmed. Ambulances have been refused access to the hospital and emergency crewmembers have been detained at roadblocks. One crew was questioned for 18 hours before they were turned away. MDC MP Costin Muguti, who was abducted and severely beaten, is one of the victims needing urgent medical attention.
The 14 young men who have disappeared during the attack on Ruwa, in another incident of violence, are still missing.
Violence in Chimanimani (The Zimbabwean)
Fear and uncertainty have engulfed the Chimanimani communities in the wake of the reign of terror unleashed on the area by Zanu-PF militia ahead of the presidential runoff election. Students are too scared to return to school. Two headmasters and teachers were severely assaulted in the presence of the students. The traumatised students said that Zanu-PF had set up a base at the mission a week before the elections and conducted all night campaign meetings. Some of the school children had hid in the forest for several days before they ventured out to go to Mutare. A local pastor helped many of the children to locate their parents.
Zimbabwe: ‘Maybe I am pregnant or maybe I have HIV now. No one can help’ (TimesOnline)
At first, the Zanu-PF militia had come for the boys. They forced them to join the militia and become foot soldiers. At night, they would scour the streets for MDC supporters, force people to attend indoctrination meetings, where they would beat and denounce them. As the June 27 election neared the militia had returned to the villages, now they would take the girls in an attempt to increase their ranks with young recruits. Caroline had hid, but to avail. When interviewed it is two weeks since her enforced recruitment into the militia. She has been raped repeatedly on a daily basis. Scores of young women share her fate as the Zanu-PF militia use rape to cow the women into submission so that they may further use them to commit acts of violence.
Buhera woman gang raped by 21 Zanu-PF thugs (SWRA)
A Buhera woman (35) has been gang raped at the Barawara torture base in Buhera central. Doctors said that the woman is too traumatised to talk about the ordeal. MDC officials had rushed the woman to hospital in Mutare for urgent medical treatment. A gun was put to her head while 21 Zanu-PF militias took turns to rape her.
Hospital help needed for Kids (The Zimbabwean)
The hospitals in and around Harare have experienced an influx of babies and children who are victims of the political violence. The children have fractures and other severe injuries and need your help. Many of the children have been separated from their families. Hospitals desperately need the following to help these children:
Baby formula Milk powder Peanut butter Pronutro etc Blankets Baby wraps Towels Nappies Clothes Socks etc
Any of these or other items which could be useful, may be dropped of at 6 Arundel Road, Alex Park or 3 Pluto Close, Chisipite for distribution to the hospitals. Thank you for your help.
Mozambique central bank warns of Zimbabwe economic threat (AFP)
Mozambique’s Central Bank governor Ernesto Gove warned that the economic meltdown in Zimbabwe could hamper economic growth in the whole of the southern African region. Gove said that the situation in Zimbabwe was already having an impact on the prospects of further progress.
“In the SADC region, the political and economic problems in Zimbabwe remained unchanged, with tendencies to escalate, creating adverse side effects for the neighbouring countries like Mozambique,” said Gove.
Zimbabwe political crisis to weight heavily on Botswana’s budget- Skelemani (Sunday Standard)
The political crisis in Zimbabwe may influence negatively on Botswana’s budget as the country is positioning itself for the possible influx of thousands of political refugees in the aftermath of the flawed presidential run-off election in Zimbabwe. Foreign Affairs Minister Phandu Skelemani said that Zimbabwe’s neighbours were already struggling with the problem of economic refugees from that country. Skelemani said that Botswana would welcome assistance from the international community to ease the financial burden incurred because of the crisis.
Zimbabwe: Angolan Foreign Minister in Harare (Angop)
Angolan Foreign Minister Joa(o Bernardo de Miranda arrived in Harare on Monday to hand over a message from the Angolan President José Eduardo dos Santos to Robert Mugabe. The message contains part of the resolution of the African Union (AU) meeting on the means by which, the political, economic and social crisis in Zimbabwe, should be solved. Angola heads the Defence, Politics and Security organ of the Southern African Development Community (SADC). It is in this capacity that Angola approaches Zimbabwe with the message. Further consultations will be held amongst the troika and facilitators.
MUTHARIKA’S ‘YAPPING MONKEYS’ REMARKS IRK MALAWIANS (Nyasa Times)
Malawian citizens are upset with the remarks of their president Bingu Mutharika who had said that those wanting him to condemn Mugabe are “brainless yapping monkeys in the bushâ€. Mutharika is a staunch supporter of Robert Mugabe, even if many of the Malawian people do not share this viewpoint. Mutharika has assisted Mugabe by purchasing supplies of food for Mugabe with taxpayers’ money. He had also purchased 400 000 metric tonnes of maize to assist Mugabe to win the elections in Zimbabwe. Fuel (petrol, diesel and kerosene) destined for Malawi had on occasions been diverted from Beira to Zimbabwe. Impeccable sources said that Mutharika was expected to house Mugabe should the latter be ousted from Zimbabwe. Not only would Mugabe and his entire family be supported, but also the former Ethiopian dictator Mengistu Haile Mariam. In return Mugabe has promised to support Mutharika in the 2009 Malawian elections.
Zim group says move World Cup from South Africa (Zimbabwe Guardian)
The protest group Zimbabwe Vigil has called on FIFA to have the 2010 World Cup moved from South Africa. The group said that the growing instability in the region should prompt FIFA to take action and ensure the safety of the teams and their supporters. Zimbabwe Vigil is collecting signatures for a petition to FIFA from people passing the Zimbabwean embassy in London. The group is running another petition calling for the suspension of aid to the governments of the Southern African Development Community as “hey have failed to hold Zimbabwe to accountâ€.
July 9th, 2008 12:18
As far as I understand it, though I may be wrong, Milliband proposed sanctions aimed not only at members of the regime but also at the agonising remains of the Zimbabwean economy. Is this right? What is the real agenda there? What did sanctions ever achieve in Irak? Who will be harmed by sanctions at that level? Will the chefs in their Mercedes Benz really care?
July 9th, 2008 13:33
The G8 Summits hardly ever achieve much of the fine resolutions which they adopt. Let me remind you of some of the things adopted at the 200% G8 Summit at Gleneagles:
“We have agreed to double aid for Africa by 2010. Aid for all developing countries will increase, according to the OECD, by around US$50bn by 2010, of which at least US$25bn extra per year for Africa.”
I have it on good authority that very little of this $50bn aid has so far materialized.
On Zimbabwe, the 2005 G8 Summit said:
“Zimbabwe, where we deplored recent events. The forced demolition of buildings there has left hundred of thousands of Zimbabweans without housing or livlihoods, and caused great human suffering. We call on the Zimbabwean authorities to end this campaign now, address immediately the situation thet have created, and respect human rights and the rule of law.”
This was all a lot of ‘hot air’ and I fear that this week’s statement in Japan will turn out to be little different.
July 9th, 2008 14:22
A recent debate in the Upper House of the Government in the UK stated that companies and businesses which provide employment and do not have connections to the current regime will not be sanctioned. They also referred to the Hague in the following quote:-
Lord Malloch-Brown: My Lords, unlike six months ago, there is now no doubt that Mr Mugabe and those around him have committed crimes which deserve referral to the ICC. In the past, the crimes were of such ancient origin that they preceded the establishment of the court and were not covered by it. Any referral of a non-signatory such as Zimbabwe would be via the UN Security Council. At this stage, the Security Council is seized with sanctions. If the object of those sanctions—a change of Government in Zimbabwe—is not achieved, I suspect that this is one of several steps we would want to bring to the council as a possible next round of pressure.
July 9th, 2008 15:16
I simply do not know how to go about helping. What/who do we help to help the young girls in the militia and the survivor of that that too horrific, too terrifying attack in Buhera? ZANU PF have turned men into beasts. The litany of monstorus acts of cruelty proves it. Is there not some massive rally or peace march, everyonme wear white for peace (and mourning ) that could convince Mbeki to pull down Mugabe.? Surely Malawian support would come tumbling after. at least may I suggest you and avaast organise a campaign to increase pressure on Barclays Bank to pull out of
Zimbabwe? It worked for the German firm and it mightlimit the forex supply /blood money.
About the children; Why is UNICEF not providing the hospitals with these essentials? Unlike the NGO’s, I understand that they not only have emergency response units and a Memorandum with the Government to operate in Zimbabwe – they have the diplomatic status to conduct their work unhindered. How can they be mobilised to respond to the appeal above? If the official authorites object,it will sharpen the teeth of the sanctions.
Women, girls, children are in my prayers.
The men that hurt them be damned.
July 10th, 2008 11:48
Hi Sokwanele
I was just alerted to this report on SW discussing the proposed UN resolution. It seems to expand the already existing targeted sanctions to the UN level in addition to putting in place an arms embargo again at UN level.
I sincerely hope this comes about because I actually think this is a powerful statement and action on their part. This is how an illigetimate regime should be treated.
http://www.swradioafrica.com/news090708/unresolution090708.htm
oh and yes a proposed change in mediator.
I hope with all my heart this comes to be.
Nana
ps I only hope that China, Russia and South Africa or rather Russia asbstain from voting if you have nothing better to contribute