Links ~ 12 July 2008
SA welcomes UN sanction vote (SAPA)
South Africa has welcomed the decision of the UN Security Council not to impose sanctions on Zimbabwe.
SA foreign affairs spokesperson Ronnie Mamoepa said that South Africa’s decision to vote against the draft resolution, is in line with South Africa’s and the African Union (AU), heads of states, decision to “encourage President Robert Mugabe and the leader of the MDC to honour their commitment to initiate dialogue with view to promote peace, stability, democracy and reconciliation of the Zimbabwean people”.
“It is our considered view that imposing sanctions would indeed have impacted negatively on the current process among the Zimbabwean political parties. In addition both SADC and AU have not called for sanctions,” he said.
Zim thanks Mbeki (AFP)
Zimbabwe Information Minister Sikhanyiso Ndlovu said “We would like to thank countries that supported us at the United Nations and we would like to tell them that we would not disappoint them as we would address our problems ourselves.”
“We would like to thank President Thabo Mbeki, who is a leader par excellence as he has not yielded to international pressure and to the machinations of the West led by Britain and United States.”
China and Russia vetoed the tougher UN sanctions on Zimbabwe. South Africa, Libya and Vietnam voted against the US draft, while the nine other members voted for sanctions.
Mbeki protects Mugabe – US (Reuters / AFP)
US Ambassador Zalmay Khalizad launched a scathing attack on South African President Thabo Mbeki after South Africa voted against targeted sanctions against Mugabe and his top officials.
Khalizad said, “We are surprised by what appears as Mbeki appearing to protect Mugabe while Mugabe uses violent means to fragment the opposition,” Khalilzad said. “I think he (Mbeki) is out of touch with the trends inside his own country.”
“We are concerned, but we are encouraged by the trends that we see inside South Africa,” he added.
China defended it’s move to block sanctions by saying that it would not “encourage†the political parties in Zimbabwe to “engage in dialogue and negotiations and achieve resultsâ€. It would rather “complicate†the situation.
Zimbabwe opposition calls for African Union help (AFP)
The Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) has called on the African Union to intervene in the mediation process with Mugabe’s regime, after the failed bid of the United Nations to impose sanctions on the regime.
In a statement the MDC said, “The suffering of the Zimbabwean people is worsening every day and a peaceful negotiated transition is urgently required.”
“In light of this, the MDC calls upon the African Union to work with the SADC (South African Development Community) in establishing the framework in which a negotiated solution can be formulated.”
The MDC acknowledged that despite the failed bid, the UN Security Council had recognised the “magnitude of the problems facing Zimbabwe”.
Zimbabwe regime jubilant at failed UN sanctions bid (AFP)
Mugabe’s regime was jubilant on Saturday at the failure of a bid by the UN Security Council to impose targeted sanctions on Zimbabwe. The regime thanked the countries which opposed the US draft resolution. In particular it praised South African President Thabo Mbeki as a “leader par excellenceâ€, who would not yield to “international pressure and to the machinations of the West led by Britain and United States.”
UK hopeful on Zimbabwe sanctions (PA)
British Foreign Secretary David Miliband has accused China and Russia of sending mixed signals about their intentions. China and Russia used their vetoes to block UN targeted sanctions against Mugabe’s regime. The proposed sanctions included an arms embargo against Zimbabwe and individual measures against Mugabe and 13 top Zanu-PF officials.
Britain has however not ruled out a fresh attempt to pass a resolution at the UN Security Council should mediation efforts between the MDC and Zanu-PF fail to make progress.
“It is disappointing that the Security Council failed to stand up for the democratic rights of Zimbabweans. But it was right to push for a tough Security Council resolution, and those who stood in its way must now take responsibility for the failure of the Security Council to act,” a spokesperson said.
“We will continue to stand firmly for human rights and democracy, and will return to the Security Council in the absence of early progress on mediation, humanitarian access, and an end to violence.”
Mugabe to take over women’s league (Zimbabwe Times)
Grace Mugabe is allegedly on the verge of taking over the leadership of the powerful Zanu-PF women’s league. The news has reportedly angered senior members of Zanu-PF. The current leader is Oppah Muchinguri who became leader of the Women’s League after the death of Sally Mugabe. Sources said that Robert Mugabe has lost faith in Muchinguri and now wants her replaced with his second wife, Grace Mugabe. It is alleged that Nyasha Chikwinya are one of those who have campaigned for Mugabe’s wife to take control of the women’s league. Grace Mugabe’s appointment to the post would almost certainly cause rifts in the league, as some members seem opposed to such a move.
Health Crisis Looms in Prisons (RadioVOP)
Reports indicate that a humanitarian disaster looms in the Zimbabwe Prison Service (ZPS) as prisoners have no access to basic commodities, such as soap, sanitary wear, toilet paper, and blankets. In the prisons of Chikurubi, Khami, Mutimurefu, and Hwahwa, there are inadequate sanitary facilities and inmates are exposed to outbreaks of diseases and cholera. In some prisons, the inmates have gone for weeks without bathing or being able to do washing. The prisons have also been affected by serious shortages of food and other consumables. Some prisoners suffer from malnutrition diseases such as pellagra. There are also shortages of medication such as drugs used in the treatment of Tuberculosis (TB) and HIV-related infections.
SA defies UN on refugees (Cape Argus / Sapa / AP / AFP)
South Africa continues to defy the United Nations and continues with the deportation of thousands of Zimbabweans. In a period of 40 days, South Africa has deported 17 000 Zimbabweans. There have been repeated calls on the South African government to suspend deportations. Recently South African Home Affairs Minister Nosiviwe Mapisa-Ngakula had given the assurance that illegal immigrants would be “temporarily exempted†from deportation.
The numbers of Zimbabweans fleeing to South Africa have increased since the March and June elections. The UN has strengthened its presence at the border with daily visits to the Musina detention centre to identify Zimbabwean asylum seekers and referring them to the correct authorities.
Camilla Kragelund head of the UNHCR office in Musina said, “There are so many people who are deported on a daily basis, we are simply unable to interview 95% of them. The only Zimbabweans who are getting asylum are those who come into contact with UNHCR or our partners.” Aid workers in Musina have reported that entire families are now fleeing the political violence in Zimbabwe.
‘South Africa is a signatory to domestic and international legal obligations to not return people to danger or possible persecution.’
High Court Frees Sky News Crew (Zimbabwe Independent)
The sentences of three South African nationals employed by British Sky News channel have been commuted from six months in prison to a fine each. A High Court judge, Justice Cheda, has reviewed the sentences and concluded that the presiding magistrate in the matter had misdirected himself by imposing a custodial sentence, as the matter called for a non-custodial sentence. Justice Cheda fined the accused Z$50 billion each and ruled that they would forfeit the broadcasting equipment and the motor vehicle used for transporting the equipment to the state. The three journalists were deported the same day after paying their fines.
July 13th, 2008 00:26
It doesn’t matter two hoots what Zimbabwe’s information minister has to say about Mbeki, or what praise he heaps upon him, the fact of the matter is that Mugabe has already lost power – to a cabal of generals even more despicable and rapacious than he is.
This ‘gang of six’ has already forced Mugabe to cede power to them after he lost the first round of elections in March. They have only let him stay on as a mere puppet. They all have too many comforts, like palaces with private helicopter pads, and too much blood on their hands, to ever relinquish power voluntarily. So even if Mugabe himself were to be removed, his secret rulers would still be in charge. Pity the country under these chilly circumstances.
July 13th, 2008 09:57
The United Nations Security Council are completely ‘toothless’ when it comes to dealing with any crisis in Africa or anywhere else in the world. They have done nothing to alleviate the situation in Darfur, they did nothing to prevent the genocide in Rwanda and they have allowed Mugabe’s murderous regime to literally get away with torture, murder and other dreadful crimes. They have no power at all to deal with the problems of the world. Also countries like Russia and China with their bad record of human rights should not be allowed to have a veto at the Council when important humanitarian decisions are made. It looks as though they will just be sitting by while another tragedy occurs in Zimbabwe as Mugabe now thinks that he can do anything he likes, which he probably can.
July 13th, 2008 11:22
Don’t you just hate all these political games countries play. Meanwhile innocent people are dying.
I have no doubt that Russia’s veto was made to make some sort of statement to the West, but it had nothing to do with Zimbabwe.
http://www.thoughtleader.co.za/traps/2008/07/12/russia-are-no-friends-of-zimbabwe-or-africa/
July 13th, 2008 21:17
I wonder what Mugabe gave in Mining rights and infrastructure contracts to buy those votes at the UN ?
July 14th, 2008 07:48
In 1980 I was the acting American Ambassador in Tanzania and had been active in the Contact Group to help arrange the referendum to Zimbabwe independence.
Julius Nyerere, the President of Tanzania, was convinced that Lord Soames would rig the election in favor of Bishop Muzarewa, so it was with some glee that I went to his house two hours before the election results were announced officially (that in the day when Zimbabwe elections could be compiled in 24 hours) to tell him the Mugabe had won the election.
He initially couldn’t or wouldn’t believe it, but I convinced him that the results would be announced in an hour or so.
“I am so happy,” he said, “to see real liberation come to Rhodesia. But, I must tell you, I am also very fearful that this may be — if what you tell me is true — the last free election in Rhodesia.”
“Robert Mugabe has many strengths, but he is not and will never be a believer in democracy. Yes, he will talk a good game but you in the West never learned that Samora Machel was the best hope for southern Africa and that Robert Mugabe may be the worst.”
How prophetic.
July 14th, 2008 11:31
First of all Mugabe had his balls operated on in China. Secondly he has given them timber, ivory, mines, ranches and farms as well as derelict factories and steel mines the works.
Roman Abramovich a russian has been to zim speculating on the possibilty of running the sole ernergy providing company.
The Russians have built Mugabe and cronies palatial homes with bunkers at a cost of millions of dollars(not zimbabwean dollars)
Lastly the whole of zimbzbwe is foreign owned. Libya has ranches for which they can produce their halaal meat while supplying the little oil that trickles into zim to cater for the leadership.
We will see this genocide going on in order to protect a dicatatorial elite who are covering up a shambles that would make their ancestors turn in their grves. You and me WILL BE DISGUSTED AT THIS NEW STYLE OF LOOTING OF AFRICA.
And some of us think this a victory of Africans over the racist west. Think again and marvel at this new form of a cold war and an avoidance of justice using spurious excuses to pardon dictators for genocide.