Links ~ 11 July 2008
July 12th, 2008
Mugabe escapes sanctions (Reuters)
New York – A UN resolution to impose sanctions on Zimbabwe for holding a violent June 27 presidential poll boycotted by the opposition candidate was vetoed in the Security Council on Friday by Russia and China.
The resolution would have imposed an arms embargo on the southern African country and financial and travel restrictions on President Robert Mugabe and 13 other officials.
It would also have called for a UN special envoy for Zimbabwe to be appointed.
Nine countries voted for the resolution, five – including veto-holding Russia and China – opposed it and one abstained.
Zimbabwe rivals hold second day of talks in South Africa (AFP)
The MDC, MDC-Mutambara and Zanu-PF held a second day of talks aimed at paving the way for fully-fledged negotiations to resolve the political crisis in Zimbabwe. No details have emerged from the talks that are held in an undisclosed location in Pretoria, South Africa. Ngobizitha Mlilo spokesperson for the MDC said that the parties would continue to discuss the conditions needed to allow talks to go ahead. “The MDC has insisted substantive negotiations could only take place if violence is halted and over 1,500 “political prisoners are released,” said Mlilo.
Negotiators head back home after consultations over talks (Newsreel)
Negotiators from the two formations of the MDC and Zanu-PF ended their 2-day consultative meetings and are heading home to brief their leaders. Sources said that the national executive councils of the MDC formations would meet on Saturday for talks aimed at formulating strategies when entering into negotiations with Zanu-PF. It is said that Morgan Tsvangirai and Arthur Mutambara has met on Friday to set out an agenda for the Saturday meeting. All of the parties have set pre-conditions for negotiations. Reportedly, AU chairperson Jakaya Kikwete and AU Commissioner Jean Ping would arrive in Harare in the near future to facilitate further discussions.
How ZANU-PF intends to force the MDC into a GNU (Tribune News)
In an effort to force the MDC to accept a government of national unity Zanu-PF plans to renew its crackdown on MDC leaders and activists in the coming days, warned sources. The sources said that political violence would intensify to force the MDC to withdraw some of their pre-conditions for negotiations to resolve the political crisis in Zimbabwe. Zanu-PF has allegedly arranged that the crackdown would seem like a spontaneous action on the part of supporters and not that of a direct order.
Political violence grips the Midlands in Zimbabwe (ZJ)
The Zimbabwe Peace Project (ZPP) a humanitarian organisation said that it receives reports that violence is still being perpetrated in most provinces in Zimbabwe. In a statement to zimbabwejournalists.com, ZPP said that at least 6 MDC supporters have been killed in the Midlands province since the June 27 presidential runoff election. Zanu-PF supporters perpetrated the majority of attacks reported. In a few cases, MDC supporters were involved and ZPP said that the motive could be retaliation due to previous Zanu-PF attacks or acts of self-defence. The statement refers to some specific incidents documented by the ZPP.
Human Rights Watch calls on UN to ensure Zim refugee safety (SWRA)
Human Rights Watch (HRW) has called on the UN High Commissioner for Refugees to step in and stop the violence against displaced Zimbabweans in refugee camps across the country. HRW’s call follows attacks on people sheltering in refugee camps in Ruwa and Gokwe. Tiseke Kasambala from HRW said that the attacks provided “more evidence that African and International leaders need to step in immediately, and peacekeeping forces need to be deployed to stop the ongoing brutality”.
UNHCR blasts South Africa for booting Zimbabwean refugees (AP)
The UN High Commissioner for Refugees has said in a statement on Friday that South Africa has, in the last 40 days, deported 17 000 Zimbabwean refugees. The UNHCR said that many of those deported might now be in danger. According to the UNHCR some of the refugees had shown signs of beatings and torture when the arrived in South Africa. The UNHCR demands that South Africa provides a safe haven for those fleeing the political violence in Zimbabwe.
More refugees, some tortured, flee Zimbabwe to SAfrica: UN (AFP)
The UNHCR said that more and more families from Zimbabwe are fleeing to South Africa. Traditionally refugees from Zimbabwe were single men. UNHCR spokesperson Jennifer Pagonis said that several of the refugees showed signs of beatings or torture. She said that between 3000 to 4000 people turn up for refugee registration on the days allotted, which are Thursdays and Fridays, for people from Zimbabwe. Pagonis said that it was difficult to determine the exact number of Zimbabwean refugees in South Africa as many hid from the authorities for fear of being sent back to Zimbabwe.
Envoy: Don’t blame sanctions (News24)
French Ambassador Denis Pietton said that the political crisis in Zimbabwe was not caused by sanctions imposed on it. Pietton said in a speech given at CSIR in Pretoria that “maybe†a government of national unity would be a feasible solution to the situation in Zimbabwe. “Sooner rather than later there should be elections (in Zimbabwe), that is the position of the EU,” said Pietton. Pietton has assumed the presidency of the European Union (EU) since the beginning of July.
Mozambique Breaks Silence- Tightens Screws on Zimbabwe (Zim Gaz)
Mozambique has put in place measures aimed at preventing bulk shopping by Zimbabweans. During the past week, traders from Zimbabwe were not allowed to cross the border from Mozambique to Zimbabwe with large quantities of groceries. One trader said that rice was completely banned. Some of the limits imposed by Mozambique are a maximum of 5kg of flour and no more than 4 bars of washing soap.
This week, Mozambique warned that the economic meltdown in Zimbabwe could hamper growth throughout the southern African region. Ernesto Gove governor of Mozambique’s central bank said that the political crisis in Zimbabwe was already impacting on prospects for future progress.
Zimbabwe Exiles Pray, March for Right to Work in Britain (VOA)
The British government has decided that Zimbabweans who have been refused asylum will not be deported, however they will not be allowed to work in Britain. Hundreds of Zimbabwean exiles participated in a protest march on Friday in central London against the restriction. The exiles gathered at Westminster Abbey for a special church service. They were joined by British supporters and the Archbishop of York, John Sentamu. Sentamu applauded the British government for their decision not to repatriate failed asylum seekers, but appealed that more could be done. Sentamu said that many highly qualified Zimbabweans in Britain should be given permission to work and should receive conditional permission to remain in Britain. The demonstrators marched to the Home Office after attending the church service. A petition for change in government policy was handed to Home Office Secretary Jacqui Smith.
Engen snaps up Shell’s business in Zimbabwe (Business Day)
Petroleum products group Engen has purchased Shell’s downstream interests in Lesotho and Zimbabwe. Engen said that it is taking a long-term view that Zimbabwe’s economy will recover. In Zimbabwe, Engen is owned by Petronas, a Malaysian oil company and a black economic empowerment group Worldwide Africa Investment Holdings. Engen acknowledged that the timing of the deal was sensitive but said that the company does not get involved in politics.
Prominent Wholesaler Mulls Closure (RadioVOP)
N Richards Wholesalers is considering closure of all its shops as a result of the political crisis in Zimbabwe. Group chairman Edward Richards said “With inflation well over 8 000 000 %, it is difficult to make a business plan in the country. You wake up everyday to change prices, which is not realistic. One cannot have a realistic pricing mechanismâ€. Richards said that they do not receive any orders anymore and that the price crackdown results in losses. The company employs 30 000 people, who may now face a bleak future should the company close.
July 12th, 2008 12:16
The world has tried its best to force Mugabe to do something positive for his people. The sad truth is, China, Russia and Zimbabwe have only one trait in common, the oppression of their people.
Most Zimbabweans wouldn’t care or know about sanctions, right now all they want is to eat and survive.
But you can guarantee that the one thing most Zimbabweans would know, and even a child would know this – the Mugabe regime is not the answer to survival.
Mugabe’s regime has plundered the country, and left it on its knees. It’s time now for change Robert, and let someone else try to fix up your mess.
July 12th, 2008 20:41
So China and Russia have vetoed UN sanctions. There are 2 powerful nations who could bring an end to the suffering of Zimbabweans along with SA (and Libya, Malaysia, North Korea, Malawi etc). Mugabe can only be so cocky because he knows he has the support of his comrades, and Britain is indeed a tiny dot compared to these nations. Russia and China have many interests in Africa and by Western companies pulling out it is leaving a vacuum which will be filled by others increasing their strength and influence. I would like to see China and Russia show some moral fibre by calling Mugabe to account for his dastardly deeds, and the West should examine their motives at continuing relations with countries who do not publicly and privately defend basic human rights. And why is Mbeki still the sole negotiator, he is more of a hindrance than a help and his real reasons for obstructing peace in Zimbabwe need to be investigated and exposed- he must have a good reason for trashing his international reputation to such a degree.
July 12th, 2008 22:50
Russia and China your veto vote against the UN sanction of Mugabe and his gang, is a shame and a disgrace !
Do you care nothing for the people of Zimbabwe and would rather go and support a thieving lunatic like Mugabe and his cabal.