ICG: Zim democratic transition remains at risk

The Zimbabwe Independent – ZIMBABWE is facing political and security risks which might scuttle the current transition, the International Crisis Group (ICG), a global organisation led by retired statesmen, has said. In its latest report titled Zimbabwe: Political and Security Challenges to the Transition, the ICG said the country’s transition from dictatorship to democracy was bedevilled by serious “political and security risks”.

“Despite initial scepticism, Zimbabwe’s year-old unity government has achievements to its credit, but the democratic transition remains at risk, especially from hard-line security officials –– President Robert Mugabe’s last reliable supporters,” the report says.

ICG Africa Programme Director François Grignon said the military posed the greatest threat to transition.

“As Zimbabwe enters its second year under a unity government, the challenges to democratic transformation are in sharp focus,” Grignon said.

“The military leadership and other Mugabe loyalists in Zanu PF are using their symbiotic relationship with the state apparatus to exercise veto power over the transition. A mature political system must develop, so Zanu PF and the MDC engage as both competitors in politics and partners in government.”

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MDC meets on worsening situation in Zimbabwe

The mainstream MDC party led by Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai has called for crisis meeting of its national executive council members Thursday to discuss the party’s deteriorating relations with President Robert Mugabe’s Zanu-PF party.

“We are dealing with a whole array of issues affecting Zimbabweans, ranging from the state of the inclusive government, issues to do with the constitution-making process, the dialogue, the general life of the GPA, you name it,” party spokesperson Nelson Chamisa told The Zimbabwe Times Wednesday night.

“The environment is fast deteriorating and we are going to receive reports from all the provinces on what is happening in the country.”

The MDC national executive council comprises 48 members drawn from all the country’s 10 provinces.

It is the highest decision-making organ in between national councils and national congresses.

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MDC Leicester branch pray for Peace in Zimbabwe

By Korasi Gumi

“The peace of the world must be prayed for by the faiths of the world”, (Dr Edward Carpenter: 1974).This time it was the peace of Zimbabwe being prayed for by the faiths of Zimbabweans. The MDC Leicester Branch has taken the lead by invoking the power of prayer in order to bring about peace and stability in conflict ravaged Zimbabwe.

The people of Zimbabwe have suffered enduring pain under the leadership of Robert Gabriel Mugabe and his ZANU PF government. They have been forced to live in abject poverty and deteriorating socio-economic conditions coupled by disease and despair for three decades. The MDC Leicester Branch saw it fit appeal to the Almighty for mercy on behalf of the suffering masses.

Through prayer, the MDC Leicester branch intends to draw the attention of Zimbabwe’s leadership to the worsening situation in the country as a result of the continued bickering over outstanding issues of the Global Political Agreement (GPA).

The prayer day, led by Pastor Forbes Madziya of Christ Ministries International Church and his Praise and Worship Team from Coventry, was well attended.

Pastor Madziya delivered a very powerful sermon that left everyone with hope and faith that change was imminent. The singing from the Praise and Worship Team inspired everyone and gave every indication that the situation in Zimbabwe now needed divine intervention.

According to Pastor Madziya, the power to bring change in Zimbabwe is in God’s hands. Every leader is annointed by God to serve the people and if one fails to serve the people then God has the power to remove that individual.

Reference was made to 1 Samuel 16:1 in which the Lord said to Samuel, “How long will you mourn for Saul, since I have rejected him as king over Israel? Fill your horn with oil and be on your way: I am sending you to Jesse of Bethlehem, I have chosen one of his sons to be king”.

The people of Zimbabwe were encouraged to be strong and courageous, and not to be afraid of Mugabe and his cronies, for there is a greater power among the people through Jesus Christ.

The event would not have been a success, had it not been for the sheer dedication of the Prayer Committee members; Mandiwengerei Zambezi (who also gave a vote of thanks), Master of Ceremony and Prayer Committee Chairman Lawrence Madziva , Zororo Mataruka, Mary Muteyerwa and executive committee members Pelani Ziba, Ashton  Zaranyika, Richard Jaramba, Juliet Makande and the Women’s Assembly members,  Wendy Zhakata, Tryness Uzande and Lee Vareta.

MDC Leicester Branch Vows to Work Together

By Tichaona Manomano

The Leicester branch of the MDC Midlands North District commenced the year with a vibrant meeting on 09 January 2010 recording a massive attendance of members. The chairman, Mr Tawanda Machakaire asked members to provide ideas about events to be considered for the current calendar year.

It was suggested that the branch could; have barbeques, hold branch vigils, prepare food for sale during meetings, arrange for a stand during the Caribbean carnival, sponsor a marathon and promote Zimbabwean dance and modeling contests, social events including voluntary work, as part of the MDC’s contribution to the community.

Mr. Lawrence Madziva suggested that the branch holds three prayer meetings a year. As previously agreed during the end of year meeting on 12 December 2009, members agreed with the suggestion by the Vice Women’s chairperson (Mandiwengerei Zambezi) that the first prayer day be held in February or early March to coincide with the Government of National Unity’s (GNU) peace talks in Zimbabwe.

She went on to report that there have already been consultations with one Pastor and significant progress on the matter has already been made.  A committee that was set up comprising; Messrs. Zororo Mataruka and Lawrence Madziva, Mrs Juliet Makande, Miss Mandiwengerei Zambezi, Ms  Mary Muteyerwa, Ms Tryness Uzande was expected to provide feedback on progress during the next general meeting.

Women members took the opportunity to introduce their newly elected women’s committee comprising:

Juliet Makande                      Chairlady

Mandiwengerei Zambezi         Vice chairlady

Wendy Zhakata                      Secretary

Leah Muzhuzha                       Vice Secretary

Mary Muteyerwa                     Treasurer

Nyarai Gaba                            Vice Treasurer

Tryness Uzande                       Organising Secretary

Sheila Ndarukwa                      Vice Organising Secretary

Ashayi Chimuka                       Information and Publicity

Jennifer Senzere                      Committee member

Monica Baira                            Committee member

Wendy Zhakata (Women’s Secretary) reminded women that they should kick start fundraising events during all forth coming meetings. Anthia Ndlovu supported Wendy’s suggestion saying many MDC members are being discriminated by ZANU PF officials in food distribution programmes.  She proposed that as a party and a branch the MDC have a duty to look after our constituents.

The treasurer, Mr Ashton Zaranyika asked members to take their financial contributions seriously since the money was needed for venue rentals and other out of pocket expenses.  Mr. Dave Chitombo echoed the same sentiments asking members to contribute generously towards the funeral of Mr. Tshuma’s son who passed away at the end of 2009 as it is our moral obligation to do so.

Mr Pelani Ziba introduced the topical issue regarding the volatile situation in Zimbabwe and the precarious state of the GNU and, many were of the view that ZANU PF was an unrepentant and pathologically dishonest partner in government.

As a party, ZANU PF is making a mockery of the GNU by violating with impunity, the provisions of the Global Political Agreement (GPA) that was sponsored by SADC and is responsible for bringing about the relative but, fragile peace in Zimbabwe today.

There was a general consensus among those present that ZANU PF was determined to inflict untold suffering on MDC members through abductions, false imprisonments, selective use of the law and torture especially, during the run up to a General election so that they can foist upon the electorate, an illegal regime hell-bent on safeguarding its ill-gotten wealth.

While there has been an encouraging economic upturn since the inauguration of the GNU, the same cannot be said about the political prospects of the country.  ZANU PF’s siege mentality is showing no sign of abating as the Party continues to frustrate the constitutional reform process, sponsor violence against members of the MDC and disregard with calculated malice, the provisions of the GPA.

Mr. Prime Somerai advocated for more involvement from members in all party endeavors. Members promised greater participation in the year 2010 in order to defeat and remove ZANU PF from power, a feat that can only be achieved through cooperation, perseverance, fortitude and patience.

The meeting ended on a high note with the chairman encouraging cohesion and efficiency from everybody in order to achieve the Party’s goals. The meeting ended with all members promising to stick together as a Party and as Zimbabweans.

Human Rights Watch: Zimbabwe’s transitional government a “sham”

ZimOnline – Human Rights Watch (HRW) has described Zimbabwe’s transitional government as a “sham”, saying Harare’s protracted year-long administration has not made any real progress in implementing much-needed political reforms.

HRW director for Africa Georgette Gagnon at the weekend said the power-sharing government has demonstrated little political will or capacity to enact meaningful changes to improve the lives of ordinary Zimbabweans.

“The transitional power-sharing government is a sham . . . From a human rights perspective, nothing has changed for the better. Robert Mugabe and ZANU PF are still fully in control,” Gagnon said.

She accused parties to the global political agreement (GPA) of lack of seriousness in implementing provisions of the pact they signed in September 2008 which led to the formation of the inclusive government last February.

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Zimbabwe Talks Remain Deadlock

SW Radio Africa – The latest negotiations between the political parties in the coalition government entered day two with still no progress. The talks resumed on Monday after a break of over two weeks.

There is a media blackout on the sensitive proceeding stalling the full implementation of the Global Political Agreement, signed in September 2008. But sources close to the talks said there is still no movement on the fundamental issues in dispute.

“The MDC-T maintains there is a deadlock, ZANU PF is not giving in on anything and the MDC-M, on the other hand, is trying to prolong the dialogue as long as it can,” said one of the sources.

MDC-T Chief negotiator Tendai Biti is quoted saying: “You can’t call these ‘talks’ because there is no talking. We are moving nowhere. We can’t make any movement on the key issues so there are no talks to talk about.”

A South African team sent by President Jacob Zuma arrived in Harare on Monday to facilitate the dialogue between the political parties and it’s reported the team, Charles Ngqakula, Lindiwe Zulu and Mac Maharaj had scheduled more meetings with the negotiators on Tuesday.

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Fresh Power Struggle Rocks Zim Coalition

ZimOnline – Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe and Prime Minister (PM) Morgan Tsvangirai are locked in a fresh power struggle after the former instructed government ministers to report to his two vice-presidents by-passing the Premier – a clear breach of the former foes’ power-sharing agreement.

The global political agreement (GPA) that gave birth to the Harare coalition government splits powers between Mugabe and Tsvangirai.

The GPA – itself a source of incessant squabbling between the two rivals over its implementation – specifically charges Tsvangirai with overseeing formulation and implementation of government policies and requires ministers to “report to the Prime Minister on all issues relating to the implementation of such policies and plans”.

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Mugabe Strips Tsvangirai of Powers

Zimbabwe Situation – A fresh confrontation is looming in Zimbabwe’s shaky power sharing
government after President Robert Mugabe reportedly ordered all ministers to
stop reporting to Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai but to the two Zanu PF
Vice-Presidents in a bid to demote the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC)
leader.

Highly placed government sources have told Radio VOP that the Mugabe issued
the directive through a memo written and signed by the country’s chief
secretary to the president and cabinet Misheck Sibanda last week.

The controversial directive by Mugabe, which goes against the Global
Political Agreement (GPA) which gave power to Tsvangirai, is likely to
escalate tensions in the transitional government following last week’s
collapse of talks between Zanu PF and the two MDC formations.

“The directive from Mugabe came as a surprise to us, and in the letter he
does not explain where he is getting the orders but it is clearly a Zanu PF
and Mugabe ploy to create problems in the unity government. It’s yet another
attempt by Mugabe to abuse his powers and ostracise the prime minister.

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EU should keep sanctions on Mugabe: rights group

AFP – The European Union should maintain its travel ban and asset
freeze on Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe’s inner circle until he makes
reforms set out in a power-sharing deal, Human Rights Watch said Friday.

Mugabe and his erstwhile rival Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai formed a
unity government nearly one year ago, aiming to end political unrest
targeting mainly supporters of the premier’s Movement for Democratic Change
(MDC).

The deal included provisions for protecting media freedoms, ensuring rule of
law, and bringing to justice the perpetrators of political violence.

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Violence hits Tsvangirai’s district

Times Live – Political violence has resurfaced in Zimbabwe, where up to 10 families have been left homeless after their huts were burned down.

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But police admitted it was getting out of hand, saying a local chief had sounded the alarm about increased political tensions in his area.

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