ZimAction

One Step Forward Two Steps Back..?

2009-05-19T18:55:00.000-07:00

Everyday it has become part of my morning routine with coffee, NYTimes Headlines and Op-ed pieces to google headline news on Zimbabwe. It's as if I am addicted - and I need my daily dosage of Zim news. I like so many of Zimbabweans in the diaspora want this Unity Government to somehow just make this work, and let progress and change come to Zimbabwe. But am I fooling myself can this regime really care for their own people first and try to do whatever it takes to resolve the country's crisis? Today I read 2 interesting articles: 1. Somewhat good news- The Zimbabwe Lawyers Society was permitted to demonstrate peacefully without persecution in Harare..progress is coming right maybe things can get better? Story number 2. According to reports from the Telegraph UK about 700 inmates out of the 1,300 have died at Chikurubi Maximum prisons, making it one of the worst jails in the entire world...maybe there is just too much that needs fixing? Is there any part of this country that still functions - schools, hospitals, prisons? The road to recovery is so immense that it seems impossible to continue on it with a shaky government that is not fully invested. It also seems impossible if all of us who are not at home to not try our best to contribute to the efforts of this recovery. Maybe we are relying way too much on our government to implement the change when all we have done is follow headlines, and sigh when its bad and get excited when it's good. If you are a Zimbo in the diaspora - what have you contributed towards a better Zimbabwe?

MDC Press Release Update on the progress of the Unity Government

2009-05-18T08:53:00.000-07:00

Resolutions of the 2nd National Council Meeting held on the 17th of May 2009, Flamboyant Hotel, Masvingo - MDC-T Press Release

ACKNOWLEDGING the inauguration of the Transitional Government on the 16th of February 2009.

NOTING the outstanding issues in the Global Political Agreement including the issues of the Provincial Governors, Ambassadors, permanent secretaries, the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe governor and the Attorney-General,

DISTURBED by the continuous incidences of toxic and non-compliance on issues including;
(a) the continued farm invasions,
(b) the failure to swear in Roy Bennett,
(c) the unilateralism including the shifting of ministerial mandates,
(d) the failure of the National Security Council to meet,
(e) the continuous detention and re-detention of political and civic society activists, lawyers and journalists,
(f) the continued politicisation of State institutions,
(g) the continued partial and unequal reporting by the State media and
(h) the selective application of the law and the persecution of MDC Members of Parliament and activists including the “convictions” of Hon Mathias Matewu Mlambo and Hon Lynnette Karenyi

FURTHER DISTURBED by the lack of delivery of the Transitional Government on key areas of National Healing, media reforms, the legislative reform agenda, the slow pace of Constitutional Reform and the lack of re-orientation of the security forces.
Now therefore, the National Council resolves that;
1. All outstanding issues in the GPA should forthwith be referred to SADC and the African Union as the guarantors to the GPA.
2. JOMIC should be more effective and monitor the full and proper implementation of the GPA.
3. The Transitional Government should urgently deal with issues of governance, national healing, democratisation and the rule of law.
4. The National Security Council must be convened in terms of the law.
5. The Herald and the Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation must reform and report equally, fairly and consistently in line with the GPA.
6. The MDC, as a party of excellence, remains steadfast in its quest, drive and vision for a new and democratic Zimbabwe.
For and behalf of the people of Zimbabwe. Adopted on 17th May 2009.

No need for violence...just a little restraint in the bedroom

2009-04-30T09:40:00.000-07:00

In Kenya women have decided to initiate a sex ban urging women to refrain from having sex with their partners until the internal divide in the coalition government is resolved. If the world used creative non-violent ways to solve it's issues it would definitely be a different world. For the complete article from CNN click on the link below:
http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/africa/04/30/kenya.sex.ban/index.html

First 100 Days

2009-04-29T18:44:00.000-07:00

Today marked Obama's 100th day in office. The President held a televised press conference, answering questions from reporters ranging from torture, wars, swine flu and the economy. It is such a sharp contrast to Zimbabwe's President - I kept thinking I wonder what would happen if Robert Mugabe had to stand in front of free press and report on how he has been doing on the job that is supposed to serve the citizens - what would his grade be with 90% unemployment, poor education, half the population relying on aid and no infrastructure. I cannot wait till Africans will realize that the government does work for them, they are employed by the citizens and should be accountable for their actions.

Really a Coalition government?!

2009-03-05T19:57:00.000-08:00

Tsvangirai is Prime Minster and Mugabe is still President. Is it me or does President Mugabe have it that good now? He can have the title and not do the work. Last week an estimated $250,000 USD was "raised" for his 85th bday bash. I'm just still saying really? You have 4000 people dead, another 75,000 or so infected with cholera and you have to have a $250,000 birthday party. Even if that money was raised wouldn't it be fitting to donate it to medical supplies or anything which is everything that Zimbabweans greatly need. It is amazing how people cannot see past their own toes and needs. In the meantime, I'm not sure what Prime Minister Tsvangirai will get done - noone is really buying into this coalition government. American President Obama made a statement saying that the US plans to have sanctions up held for another year and the EU has no plans of lifting sanctions just yet. In the meantime the Zimbabwe is yesterdays news and people continue to suffer enormously with no foreseeable end in sight.

Western opinion on the new coalition in Zimbabwe

2009-02-03T07:34:00.001-08:00

Now the question is do we "trust" the new coalition government? Will they put the country first and work together to restore Zimbabwe? It's a tricky question and one really has to wait and see. The West has shifted its policy on the Zimbabwe slightly, saying they feel they need to give this a go/chance but will not lift sanctions immediately until there is evidence Mugabe is willing to work to help this country out of this crisis. I like many have my doubts but also feel that we have to give this a chance and see what may come out of it. The problem however is that in the meantime cholera has infected over 65,000 and deaths are nearing 3,200.

"Unity Government"

2009-01-30T07:29:00.000-08:00

MDC, the main opposition in Zimbabwe has finally agreed to join a unity government with Mugabe and Zanu PF. After months of resisting, Morgan Tsvangirai and his party finally agreed to try and move forward with a united government. It's hard to say how unified a government can be formed and work effectively when one side has been tortured, beaten and even killed by the other. I commend the opposition on this "leap of faith" to try and put an end to the immense suffering endured by the people of Zimbabwe. Now the world will have to wait and see if Mugabe can put aside his need for power and put Zimbabweans first to try and work out of this black hole of a mess. Hopefully it is a step forward and not two steps back. In the meantime 3100 have died from cholera and cases have topped 60,000. The government has all but adandoned the local currency, with an annoucement from The Zimbabwean acting finance minister Patrick Chinamasa has allowed Zimbabweans to conduct business in other currencies, as the local currency continues to inflate at an alarming rate.(BBC)

Solidarity for Zimbabwe

2009-01-29T09:12:00.000-08:00

Once again SADC has not been able to come to a viable solution for Zimbabwe. I am not sure I quite understand the reason SADC leaders are afraid or refuse to pressure Mugabe about the fact that 1. He lost the election and is running an illegitimate government and 2. Hundreds and thousands of people are dying due to his dictatorship. Today reports ran that unemployment in Zimbabwe stood around 94% - the number is so unfathomable to me..but things are DESPERATE. It is time for the Zimbabwe people to show where they stand on the matter, and there needs to be a call to the masses to protest this inexplicable brutality that has been put on them by their "leader". This Sunday there will be a one day global solidarity fast -(from sun up to sun down)- the more of us that fast the stronger the call for justice and democracy. This is one day for us to do something and show that this kind of injustice cannot go on and will be not be tolerated, please join the fast and show your support for the Zimbabwean people.

The pledge:

We, the undersigned, pledge to fast for a day in solidarity with the Zimbabwean people. We call on leaders throughout Africa—and the world—to act now to decisively support their struggle for justice, democracy, and survival.

2009 - More woes for Zimbabwean

2009-01-28T10:33:00.000-08:00

2009 has started off to a rough start for many with the economy, but in Zimbabwe it's not about extra cash or keeping the house it's about not starving to death and avoiding brutal treatment from the regime. Today there are reports that cholera has claimed up to 3000 deaths and shows no signs of slowing down. In the meantime "talks" are being held between MDC and Mugabe at the SADC regional meeting. There still remains to be a stalemate as Mugabe insists on holding onto power and allowing thousands die of disease and hunger. Mugabe is running an illegal government, Morgan Tsvangirai won the election - however Mugabe continues to use violence and food to intimidate Zimbabweans into submission and allow him "run" the nation, what's left of it anyway.

Ultimately a power sharing deal will not work if the current regime will not recognize what needs to be done to turn this nation around which include stepping down and allowing the person who won the election take his post as the leader of Zimbabwe. Right now it seems the best way toward positive change would be for international sanctions to force Mugabe to concede power. More pressure needs to be placed on those who continue to support or allow Mugabe and his supporters the means to live lavish lifestyles and carry out crimes against human rights at the same time. China and South Africa need to help to cut off this life line and save a nation that has suffered more than enough.

In the meantime it is refreshing to note those who continue to push for justice in Zimbabwe - Save Zimbabwe Now. The Save Zimbabwe Now initiative has selected a relay fast as the first campaign to mobilise regional public awareness and build pressure on SADC governments to influence the Zimbabwean state to restore dignity, human and democratic rights to its people.

Join the movement to show your solidarity to the people of Zimbabwe.

Undercover in Zimbabwe

2008-12-05T12:52:00.001-08:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5UrpciPVOdk&feature=related

Desparate Situation

2008-12-03T09:53:00.000-08:00

The situation continues to deterioarate around Zimbabwe.

The U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs said cholera had killed 565 people and infected over 12,500 Zimbabweans. Hundreds of Zimbabweans have fled to South Africa for treatment, adding to pressure for greater regional involvement to pull Zimbabwe back from total meltdown. Meanwhile the RedCross and UNICEF have been allowed access into to Zimbabwe to drill wells to provide some sort of relief for the citizens.

The interesting thing will be to see how the neighboring countries respond. There have been reports of a few cases of cholera in South Africa. Many Zimbabweans have been trying to cross the border to receive treatment as there are few clinics open in Zimbabwe at the moment.

The International Federation of the Red Cross said six people had died in South Africa with 400 cases reported.
"The problem is massive," Robin Waudo, a Red Cross spokesman in Zimbabwe, told Reuters Television.
Malawian Health Minister Khumbo Kachali told Reuters health services had been put on high alert after a Zimbabwean truck driver was admitted to a hospital there with the disease.

And as though the health breakdown was not enough for the people of Zimbabwe to deal with there have been increased reports of police and soldier clashes with Zimbabweans. With only 1/5 adults with a steady job, crime is bound to be on the rise.

Isolation and Suffering Grows!

2008-11-25T11:53:00.000-08:00

Mugabe's regime has now resorted to desparate measures to secure their nation's demise. Over the past weekend The Elders were barred from entering Zimbabwe by being refused visas. Jimmy Carter a member of the elders said that Zimbabwe "appears much worse than anything we ever imagined". Graca Machel, a women's rights activist had heard heartbreaking stories from conversations she had with refugees, and has also called for a resolution for the nation.

The situation that Mr. Carter and Graca Machel and so many are realising has been one of humanitarian crisis. It is reported that only since August over 300 people have died in Zimbabwe from cholera. The outbreak was set-off by massive water shortages, and an almost complete collapse in the healthcare system. With the lack of international and independent media in Zimbabwe it is really hard to even guage the exact extent to the problems the nation is is facing.

In the meantime on the political front - there has been less hope. Election results were completely ignored by Mr Mugabe, which found him defeated by the opposition. He then claimed to try to negotiate with the opposition and create a power sharing government. All this has been fruitless, with Mr. Mugabe refusing to release his iron clad hold on control of the government. Talks are said to resume again on Tuesday. And Mr.Kofi Anan has called on SADC, which has largely neglected the problems in Zimbabwe, to put their "full weight to bear to ensure the agreement is fully implemented." Though things have moved slowly there is some hope in that the world is beginning to notice the catastrophe in this small nation. Hopefully leaders will follow through with more than promises and initiatives, because the longer they take the more lives that are being lost.

Brief History of Zimbabwe

2008-11-25T11:42:00.001-08:00

This is the first post. It really was prompted by the desparate situation facing the people of Zimbabwe. To being let's give you a brief background story to Zimbabwe:

The country is dictated by President Robert Mugabe, who is accused by rights groups of massive violations of human rights.[2] Zimbabwe is currently experiencing a hard currency shortage, which has led to hyperinflation and chronic shortages in imported fuel and consumer goods. President Mugabe's critics blame his program of land reform. However, Mugabe claims that massive financial isolation through American, British, and European Union legislation such as the Zimbabwe Democracy and Economic Recovery Act of 2001 is the actual cause of hyperinflation. Under ZDERA, the United States is prohibited from supporting any efforts by the International Monetary Fund and other financial institutions to extend loans, credit or debt cancellation to the Zimbabwean government.
Zimbabwe's current economic and food crisis, described by some observers as the country's worst humanitarian crisis since independence, has been attributed, in varying degrees, to government economic mismanagement, government prohibitions on relief efforts from foreign non-governmental organizations, a drought affecting the entire region, and the HIV/AIDS epidemic. - Care of Wikipedia

I personally grew up in Zimbabwe - and in the 80s and early 90s it was a gem in Africa. The economy was stable, education strong and a good health care system. Over the last decade I have watched as this nation has slipped further and further into a dark hole of absolute dictatorship, corruption and destitution. The current government has made it clear that it is willing to let its people die and suffer before compromising their power.