Links ~ 26 July 2008

Botswana refuses to recognise Mugabe govt (SABCnews)
Botswana’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Phandu Skelemani said that there is currently no legal government in Zimbabwe. Skelemani said there are only leaders of different political parties who are seeking a solution to the political crisis in Zimbabwe. Botswana has openly criticised the June 27 presidential runoff election and with Skelemani’s public statement it is clear that Botswana now openly refuses to recognise Robert Mugabe as the president of Zimbabwe.

Progress in Zim talks – SA (AFP)
Mukoni Ratshitanga spokesperson for SA President Thabo Mbeki said on Saturday that talks between the MDC and Zanu-PF is “proceeding well”. Ratshitanga did disclose any other details on the content or the tone of the talks between the parties.

Meanwhile, the Zimbabwean government has refused to comment on the increased US sanctions applied on Friday. A Zanu-PF official said that they did not want to comment on the matter while talks were in process.

Robert Mugabe forced into talks with opposition after China told him ‘to behave’ (The Telegraph)
Robert Mugabe’s decision to participate in negotiations with the MDC was brought about through pressure from China. Government and diplomatic sources said that China had put pressure on Mugabe to enter into negotiations because of fears that the political crisis in Zimbabwe would overshadow the Olympics. China and Russia have infuriated the West by blocking an attempt of the UN Security Council to impose sanctions on members of Mugabe’s regime.

A government source said, “The signing of the memorandum of understanding between Mugabe and Tsvangirai may appear to be a triumph for South African diplomacy under Mr Mbeki, but the power behind the curtain is China.

“China exerted diplomatic pressure on Harare for the protection of their own interests in this country, given the threat and risks of their economic investments under a new government. This explains the sudden change of heart by Mugabe. This is all choreographed.”

A diplomatic source said, “Mugabe was told in clear terms by his Chinese friends that he has to behave and act in a way that will silence the international community”.

“They also warned him (Mugabe) that if British Prime Minister, Gordon Brown and the US managed to force the tabling of UN Security Council sanctions against Zimbabwe again, they will be in no position to support Harare. China has demanded that loyalty back in equal terms.”

Clampdown on opposition and media continues while talks are underway (SWRA)
While negotiations are continueing between political parties in Zimbabwe, the conditions set before negotiations had started, are being ignored. Zanu-PF has showed little inclination to change its violent strategy. Despite the signing of a memorandum of agreement there are still abductions of MDC supporters, teachers are still being forced to attend Zanu-PF rallies, independent radio stations are still being jammed and web sites are hacked.

The driver and an assistant of MDC Senator Samuel Tsungirirai Muzerengwa were abducted on Thursday in Buhera South. Sources said that the activists were abducted by soldiers and Zanu-PF militia under the command of Colonel Morgan Mzilikazi of the Zimbabwean National Army. The Rusape police have been unhelpful in the matter and the whereabouts of the activists are still unknown. As there are fears for his safety the MDC MP Naison Nemadziwa for Buhera South has been forced to flee the area.

Ramond Majongwe Secretary General of the Progressive Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (PTUZ) said that militia continue to force teachers to attend Zanu-PF rallies in the rural areas. The Zanu-PF militia based at the Chidohwa Primary School in Makoni East, are armed with AK47 rifles.

ZWNEWS.com has become the latest casualty in the war on the media in Zimbabwe. The site was hacked on Friday. Independent radio stations are still being jammed with equipment supplied by the China.

Prospects dim for Zim peace deal (M&G / The Herald)
The state-sponsored Zimbabwean newspaper The Herald said on Friday that conditions agreed at by the politburo earlier in the week could prevent a deal being made at negotiations between the MDC factions and Zanu-PF. The politburo meeting has stated that Robert Mugabe will president and that he will appoint the all-inclusive government as envisaged in the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). The Herald said that Zanu-PF would not agree to a government of national unity should there be attempts to reverse the land reform programme.

Zimbabweans need hope (The Jamaica Observer)
Louis Michel European Commissioner for Development and Humanitarian Aid has a message for Zimbabweans and a warning for Mugabe and his regime.

To read, please follow the above link.

Serious cash shortage hits Zimbabwe (The Zimbabwe Times)
There is a serious shortage of cash in Zimbabwe amidst rumours that the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) has completely run out of paper to print new bank notes. The black market dealers have also run out of cash and basic financial transactions are conducted with foreign currency. Gideon Gono governor of the RBZ had announced earlier in the week that he will unveil new financial strategies to address the severe cash shortages. Gono’s options are limited since the printing of money is grinding to a halt due to lack of supplies of the required paper. German supplier Giesecke and Devrient has decided that it would cut its business ties with the Mugabe regime. Sources said that Gono is now trying to secure an alternative source for the paper needed.

“Your Governor” never runs out of new solutions (The Zimbabwe Times)
Sibangani Sibanda tries to make sense of the economy and the numerous challenges Zimbabweans have to face whilst trying to stay afloat, even if the currency won’t. Like Sibanda says, ‘ When you are dealing with matters defending “National Sovereignty”, anything is possible…’ Especially, if “Your Governor” never runs out of new solutions!

Keeping up the pressure on Zimbabwe (SWRA)
SW Radio Africa (SWRA) supports the call for a campaign lobbying Jura, an Austrian company, to stop assisting the Mugabe regime in its endless printing of increasingly worthless money.

Hospitalised Zambia president ‘continues to improve’ (SAPA / AFP)
Zambian President Levy Mwanawasa is making steady progress in his recovery after suffering a stroke more than three weeks ago. President Mwanawasa has been hospitalised at the Percy Military Hospital near Paris in France. Vice-President Rupiah Banda said, “The condition of Mwanawasa continues to improve. The doctors treating Mwanawasa are satisfied with the steady progress he is making in his recovery.”

Banda said that fears that the Zambian government may not be disclosing the facts about the president’s condition were unfounded.

Herald website hacked again (Zimbabwe Metro)
Hackers have attacked the website of the state-sponsored newspaper The Herald on Friday. Google reported on Friday Afternoon that the site is harmful and contains malware. It appears that a remote Trojan horse (RAT) was installed onto the website root.

The Herald’s website was attacked in May this year when hackers had pasted the headline “Gukurahundi” all over the website. Gukurahundi refers to Robert Mugabe’s ethnic cleansing campaign launched in October 1980. The meaning of the Shona name is “the early rain which washes away the chaff before the spring rains”.

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