One Step Forward Two Steps Back..?

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

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

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

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?!

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

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"

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

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 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.