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Crisis
weather report special edition
Crisis
in Zimbabwe Coalition
May 18, 2009
Has
the Political Climate in Zimbabwe changed since the formation of
the Coalition Government 100 days ago?
By Dzikamai A. Machingura (Media
Monitoring Project of Zimbabwe Advocacy Coordinator)
Against a background
of social, political and economic turmoil, Zimbabwe's rival
politicians formed a transitional coalition government in early
February 2009 to consummate a political
agreement executed in September 2008. The Zimbabwean
constitution was amended for the 19th
time to give legal effect to the agreement so that the coalition
government could take shape and become operational. People interested
in, and concerned about Zimbabwe welcomed this development, some
cautiously, as the best route the country could take towards recovery
and stability. It was hoped that democratic space would be opened
up and the rule of law restored through the vehicle of this fragile
coalition of bitter rivals with quite entrenched and seemingly irreconcilable
differences. So, as this coalition government becomes a 100 days
old it is important to ask what, if anything, has changed about
the Zimbabwean political climate.
On the surface,
official pronouncements point to the fact that government policy
and practice are changing and that Zimbabwe is much better off than
it was before the formation of the coalition government. The rival
politicians seem to have struck a good working relationship with
one minister even going as far as saying that they have "infected
each other with goodwill". The MDC formations seem much freer
to go about their political business by way of holding meetings,
rallies and so on without undue interference from state security
agents. The state security agents, and other enemies of democracy,
appear to have relaxed their heavy hand and rested their tools of
repression in order to give the coalition government a semblance
of goodwill and space within which to execute its difficult mandate.
Civil society is able to organize and hold meetings and there are
even promises that restrictive legislation will be repealed. There
are indeed other areas of welcome improvement that cannot be more
fully set out here because of limited space.
But although
the politically repressive nature of government appears to have
changed for the better, there remains an aura of fragility and uncertainty
engulfing a hopeful and very traumatized nation. This is largely
because the coalition government itself is a fragile entity with
obvious enemies who do not want to see it succeeding. Even more
disturbing is the fact that instruments of repression (both legislative
and non-legislative) have not been liquidated and therefore the
capacity of retrogressive elements to mobilize them remains unchanged
especially given the fact that ZANU (PF) still has an upper hand
and controls the state apparatus. Political prisoners have not all
been released or accounted for. Court orders are still disrespected
and the law dubiously interpreted and selectively applied. Journalists
are still being harassed and incarcerated. The publicly owned state
media remain largely biased and still manipulate and distort information.
There are fresh farm invasions. The global political agreement has
been flagrantly breached by ZANU (PF) and breaches thereto have
not been remedied.
The characterization
of this sad and gloomy picture could go on but the basic point is
that the political climate is not much warmer and one can only hope
that things will be seen to improve. Just as Rome was not built
in a day the opening up of democratic space cannot be a once-off
event.
The
Economic Environment . . . 100 days later . . .
By Mfundo Mlilo (Zimbabwe
National Students Union National Coordinator)
It is just four
months since the government finally abandoned its populist look-East
self delusional policies and adopted a multicurrency system, yet
the consequences of that decision are glaringly apparent. This major
policy shift was captured by the Coalition government and further
concretized through the Short
Term Economic Recovery Program (STERP) announced by Minister
of Finance Honorable Tendai Biti. The country is faced with a critical
US Dollar liquidity crisis whose consequence has been the inefficient
and irregular business transaction mechanisms. How many times have
you gone to a shop and been told "there is no change".
There are already emerging market distortions in terms of prices
creating an uneven trading market- which obviously repels business
investment.
At grass roots
level, the dollarization of the economy has further impoverished
Zimbabweans. The supermarkets are obviously well stocked with South
African and Botswana imported goods yet the prices charged remain
unjustifiably elevated due to profiteering. A quick market analysis
will reveal that prices in Zimbabwe are at least three times higher
than those in the region (South Africa and Botswana). This reality
is in stark contrast with the simple Purchasing Power Parity (PPP)
law of economics. This law states that prices of identical products
should be identical in deferent markets after consideration of transport,
duty and other related costs. This law assumes that a bar of soap
in Harare, Zimbabwe should thus cost the same as in Francistown,
Botswana. The reality is astonishingly different. An average four
plate stove costs around USD 200 in South Africa whereas in Zimbabwe
the price of the same stove could fetch as high as USD 800.
It is critical
to note however that there have been some benefits to the economy
arising from government policy shifts notable on the currency system
and general market confidence created by the inception of the coalition
government. There has been a noted fall in inflation with the Minister
of Finance predicting a two digit figure by the end of the year
and an end to quasi fiscal activities by the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe
spearheaded by beleaguered Dr Gideon Gono.
Will Zimbabwe
rise and join the community of nations on its road to prosperity?
The answer to this question is in the hands of this coalition government.
The international community has pledged to support Zimbabwe. The
support promised is, however, tied to conditions and Zimbabwe seems
unlikely to pass the test. Like minded Donors met in October 2008
and proposed the Zimbabwe Emergency Recovery Program Prepared under
the Multi-Donor Trust Fund (MDTF) administered by the World Bank
on behalf of these Development Partners working in seven MDTF Technical
Review Groups (Economic Analysis, Private Sector Development, Agrarian
Issues, Infrastructure, Social Protection, Basic Services, and Governance
& Anti-Corruption). These donors proposed a principles based
engagement framework of which the early tests for re-engagement
in Zimbabwe will be; a credible political settlement, a commitment
to global values as set out in the Hague principles and a credible
Minister of Finance and Governor of the Reserve Bank. The recent
political bickering speaks for itself it terms of archiving these
early indicators. The situation is further compounded by the global
economic crisis which consequently has affected Diaspora foreign
currency remittances that were supporting many families in Zimbabwe.
How does Zimbabwe
get out of this economic mess? There is need for policy shift and
respect for human rights (Hague principles) in order to attract
international support. Zimbabwe must begin to adequately prepare
for the 2009-10 agricultural season. The recent pronouncements by
Honorable Biti of having secured support from financing institutions
in this regard are welcome. There is need to urgently deal with
the issue of the Reserve Bank Governor as his continued presence
at the Bank riles donors. There is need for the Government to urgently
deal with the issue of civil service salaries and fees at institutions
of learning to avert impending strikes. There is need to recapitalize
companies and banks in order to improve production in the country.
In Coalition
government "WE TRUST" eludes Zimbabweans in horrible
month
By Kumbirai Mafunda (Zimbabwe
Lawyers for Human Rights Communications Officer)
HORRIBLE, astonishing
and bemusing aptly sums up the drama of the month of May so far.
Otherwise, how can one explain the fast moving events of the past
two and half weeks.
At a time when
most Zimbabweans and political prisoners were heaving a sigh of
relief from the hectic months that followed the court proceedings
for the political prisoners accused of terrorism, banditry and sabotage
the abductees were back again at the notorious Chikurubi Maximum
Prison after the Attorney General proceeded to indict all the fifteen
political detainees for trial.
The turn of
events left many totally astonished and bemused while the revocation
of bail despite an agreement which had been reached, smacks of bad
faith. Then as if the drama with political detainees was not enough
we had some elements within the coalition government "going
back to their old ways", arresting and detaining Zimbabwe
Independent Editor, Vincent Kahiya, and News Editor, Constantine
Chimakure on charges of allegedly publishing and communicating falsehoods.
Coming at a time when the three political parties committed to protect
the security of persons and guaranteed freedom of expression, the
arrest and detention of the journalists was unjustifiable and unsustainable.
Coming hot on the heels of the All-Stakeholders'
Media Conference at which government officials were present,
and whereat it was agreed that obnoxious media laws must be repealed,
this was another act of the utmost bad faith by the state. The fresh
crackdown on journalists is yet another slap in the face for the
inclusive government which, in the provisions of the Interparty
Political Agreement, has placed emphasis on the need for media
reform, freedom of expression and access to information, as well
as the security of persons.
Then in a move
that proves deep seated residual resistance within the coalition
government, members of the Law and Order section of Harare Central
Police Station ambushed human rights lawyer, Alec
Muchadehama as he emerged from the Rotten Row Magistrates Court
after attending to court cases for allegedly defeating the course
of justice by allegedly conniving with Constance Gambara, the Clerk
of High Court judge, Justice Bhunu, to cause the improper release
on bail of Kisimusi Dhlamini, Gandi Mudzingwa and Andrison Manyere,
well knowing that leave to appeal had been granted to the State
which had the effect of suspending the bail order of High Court
judge, Justice Hungwe.
Though he was
later
granted bail last Friday, the arrest of Muchadehama, a lawyer
for the political prisoners was a clear breach of the various provisions
of the Global Political Agreement (GPA), in which the three political
parties represented in Parliament undertook to protect the security
of persons and to ensure that fundamental rights and freedoms would
be respected. The arrest of Muchadehama, journalists and other human
rights defenders such as students is an unambiguous indication that
basic freedoms in the country remain circumscribed. That human rights
defenders continue to face such unwarranted harassment at the time
of the inclusive government merely indicates that we have a long
way to go before there is a return to the rule of and respect for
the Constitution
of Zimbabwe.
If this coalition government is to stand the crucial
test then Police Commissioner-General Augustine Chihuri, Justice
Minister Patrick Chinamasa, the two co-Home Affairs Ministers Kembo
Mohadi and Giles Mutsekwa and the Joint Monitoring and Implementing
Committee (JOMIC) must see to it that the offending individuals
who ambushed Muchadehama and those officers who arrested the ZimInd
journalists are made to answer for their unlawful actions. Otherwise
one won't be mistaken to conclude that the "regime"
wants to take us back on the path to "Egypt".
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in Zimbabwe fact
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