Links ~ 20 July 2008

Zimbabwe opposition wants Mbeki to address concerns (Reuters)
The Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) spokesperson George Sibotshiwe said on Sunday, that Morgan Tsvangirai leader of the MDC would not sign an accord until mediator South African President Thabo Mbeki has addressed concerns with parts of the accord.

“I think in principle the decision is to sign the document. We are committed to the dialogue process,” said Sibotshiwe. “Our executive and council have already gone through the document and have raised their concerns with the facilitator … the onus is on the facilitator to ensure that those things are sorted out in order for the signing to happen within the required time.”

Sibotshiwe declined to answer whether the memorandum of understanding will be signed on Monday, he said that Mukoni Ratshitanga spokesperson of President Mbeki would be the person who could respond to the question.

Zimbabwe rivals agree draft for crisis talks: UN official (AFP)
United Nations special envoy to Zimbabwe, Haile Menkerios said on Sunday, that the political parties in Zimbabwe have reached consensus on holding substantive talks. “There is a draft which we are informed the two negotiating parties have agreed to but the two principals, that is Mr Mugabe and Mr Tsvangirai, would have to sign,” said Menkerios. “It hasn’t been signed yet, but once that is done, once you clear the way or the basis for the talks, then the actual talks begin.” Sources said the memorandum of understanding could be signed within the next 24 hours.

SADC to ensure progress on Zimbabwe situation (SABCnews)
The Committee on Politics, Defence and Security of the Southern African Development Community (SADC), has said that it is working hard to ensure progress towards a resolution of the political crisis in Zimbabwe. The Committee has welcomed the move to include representatives from the African Union (AU) and the United Nations (UN) to assist SADC-appointed mediator South African President Thabo Mbeki in mediation efforts.

MDC Wins Major Talks Concession (The Standard)
African Union Commission chairperson Jean Ping has met with MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai at the residence of South African Ambassador Professor Mlungisi Makalima. Reportedly, Tsvangirai will meet with Mugabe on Sunday.

Ping, Haile Menkerios UN special envoy to Zimbabwe, and George Chikoti representative of the SADCs Committee on Defence, Politics and Security had a meeting with South African President Thabo Mbeki on Friday. Mbeki announced after the meeting that he had formed a “reference group” with whom he will liaise during the process of mediation between the political parties in Zimbabwe.

Professor Elderd Masunungure director of the Mass Public Opinion Institute said that the developments of the last couple of days could unlock the impasse and make it possible for substantive discussions to begin.

Odinga: ‘Mugabe an embarrassment’ (BBC)
The Kenyan Prime Minister has blasted the Zimbabwean leader Robert Mugabe, calling him ‘an embarrassment to the African continent’ during an interview on the BBC’s Andrew Marr show.

Mr Odinga also commented on continuing efforts to resolve the political crisis in Zimbabwe, saying that they were getting close to a breakthrough after confirming that talks with the Zimbabwean opposition leader, Morgan Tsvangirai were going to take place.

Zimbabwe eyes foreign firms for takeover (AFP)
State-sponsored media reported on Sunday that Mugabe’s regime would seize the assets of foreign companies in what is believed to be a backlash against foreign pressure on the regime. Paul Mangwana the minister in charge of “economic empowerment said that they were auditing hundreds of Western business interests to target those that could be taken over. Mangwana said that British investors held stakes in at least 499 companies in Zimbabwe, whilst 353 companies have shareholders from other European countries. The Sunday News reported that companies taken over by Mugabe’s regime would be ‘offered’ to countries that are ‘friendly’ towards the regime. The newspaper quoted a government source as saying, “Gone are the days of political or generalised invitations to foreigners. We need to move a gear up and approach friendly countries with sector-specific or even enterprise-specific proposals.”

Join Blair In London, War Vets Tell MDC Returnees (The Standard)
War veterans and Zanu-PF militia now persecute MDC supporters venturing back home after fleeing the politically motivated violence in their villages. The returning villagers are hauled before “kangaroo courts” to answer charges of being sell-outs and having sought refuge in other parts of the country. War veterans chair the ‘courts’. Those who are found guilty are fined or have to perform community service. A MDC activist said that war veterans and militia were taking food and livestock from MDC supporters in the Masvingo Province. The militias refuse to dismantle their bases as they are benefiting from the crisis.

The MDC said that at least 120 MDC activists and supporters have been killed, 10 000 have been injured and more than 200 000 were internally displaced because of politically motivated violence.

Rwanda (The New Times – Kigali)
This article gives the reader a background into the Rwandan army, the Interahamwe, and the presidential guard that led the vicious killings against the Tutsi. After the genocide in Rwanda, many of the killers had fled the country and some found ‘employment’ in failed states, with disorganised and cruel leaders. The Interahamwe had joined with the Zimbabwean soldiers in the DRC conflict. Today there are 4000 Hutu refugees living in Zimbabwe, some of whom had taken part in the genocide of the Tutsis in 1994. The people of the SADC region know each other and some share similar languages. In Uganda, those who voiced suspicion of ‘strangers’ were belittled much as the fears of rural Zimbabweans are laughed off when they reported sightings of ‘strangers’ in the company of militia. The Interahamwe attacked Kisoro village in Uganda and hacked to death 5 villagers. An attack on Ishasha followed and 2 villagers were killed. Next, a group of tourists were attacked and six tourists were killed. Instead of laughing, there are those who would not be surprised if the Interahamwe have found a haven in Zimbabwe, they will support anyone who gives them sanctuary or a safe haven.

Hefty Cash ‘thank you’ For Soldiers (The Standard)
Soldiers of the Zimbabwe National Army have received massive salary increases ranging from Z$3 trillion and Z$10 trillion. It is also reported that the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) has increased the daily withdrawal limit for soldiers to Z$1 trillion. It would seem that the salary increases have however not been extended to the rest of the security forces, such as the police. A police officer said that they are unaware of any salary increases for police officers. He added that the Zanu-PF is scared of the soldiers and that it came as no surprise that they (Zanu-PF) would increase the soldier’s salaries. Members of the public are only allowed to withdraw Z$100 billion at a time, which is not even enough to buy a loaf of bread that now costs at least Z$120 billion.

Feature: A day embedded with a ZANU-PF militia unit (Harare Tribune)
A Tribune/ Zimdaily correspondent had an opportunity to spend some time with the Zanu-PF militia. Despite having qualms about his own safety the correspondent ventured into the base, only to witness the torture of a MDC supporter. Afterwards the group sets off in search of another MDC supporter and sets his house on fire when they find that he is not home. When one of the militia is asked why they continue to have a base, despite the fact that the election is over, he answers that. “This is work for us now. The RBZ, through ZANU-PF, pays us every week.”

“We have to cut the head of the snake (MDC), to make sure it doesn’t come back to haunt us again. This is our mission, we have to complete it.”

RBZ introduces $100 billion banknotes (The Zimbabwe Times)
A new Z$100 billion bank note is not enough to buy a loaf of bread, but you might be able to buy four oranges with it. In fact, the new note equals (for now) just one US dollar. The introduction of the new bank note is an attempt by the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe to ease the severe cash shortages in the country. Economist John Robertson said, “The RBZ is fighting a losing battle,” economist John Robertson said in Harare. “As long as the inflation remains high, cash shortages will persist. There is need to address the inflation by increasing production so that too goods do not [cost] a lot of money.”

Africa’s Best-Pray for us in Zimbabwe, says award winner (Happy Ghana)
Zimbabwean television journalist Hopewell Rugoho-Chi’ono has been awarded with the CNN Multichoice African Journalist of the Year Award. Rugoho-Chi’ono has also received one of the 16 category awards for his reporting on HIV/AIDS. He said that the award was a big surprise and that, he would like to “thank all Zimbabwean journalists who are doing very hard work under very difficult circumstances.” He also called on the audience to pray for Zimbabwe and its future.

MSU considers revoking Mugabe honorary degree (AP)
Michigan State University is considering stripping Robert Mugabe of the honorary law degree, it gave Zimbabwe’s president 18 years ago. Officials at the East Lansing school cite human rights violations and economic collapse under Mugabe’s government. Ian Gray is vice president for research and graduate studies and chair of the university’s Honorary Degree Committee. He says Michigan State officials are very aware of many failings in Mugabe’s leadership.

The University of Edinburgh last year withdrew a degree awarded to Mugabe, and the University of Massachusetts did so last month.

African Leaders Move to Limit Conflicts (The Media Line)
African leaders have approved a plan to create a ‘super’ peace and security council with the specific aim to limit the number of conflicts on the African continent. African Union Commission chairperson Jean Ping said that the formation of the super Security Council for Africa would not only facilitate the flow of funds and experience, it would ease communication gaps which hamper continental action on persistent security threats. Ping said that Africa would require the cooperation of the UN and the Arab league to stop conflicts in Africa. Talks on the formation of a joint peace council with the Arab League are in an advanced stage. A standby security force is expected to be operational soon, whereby each region will have its own army of peacekeepers.

Poachers terrorise Zimbabwe’s rhinos (Times Online)
Rhino poaching is on the increase with 14 black rhinos killed in the last month. In October last year, soldiers armed with AK47 rifles and dressed in camouflage shot three black rhino. At the beginning of July this year, a black rhino calf was shot. Reportedly most rhino poaching were carried out by locals and were motivated by economic necessity, however, some incidents were linked to corrupt government officials. Happyton Bonyongwe, Zimbabwe’s spy chief is allegedly involved in the illegal game-hunting business. Informed sources said that Bonyongwe received ₤1 000 from a professional hunter for every elephant shot on a concession that borders a national park. Hundreds of elephants were reportedly shot.

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