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Zimbabwe:
The violence must stop
Action
for Southern Africa (ACTSA)
February 10, 2011
http://www.actsa.org/newsroom/2011/02/zimbabwe-%E2%80%93-the-violence-must-stop/
11 February 2011 marks the second anniversary of
Zimbabwe's inclusive government. It is being marked by increasing
violence, threats and intimidation.
The inclusive government was supposed to provide
political leadership and "put an end to the polarisation,
divisions, conflict and intolerance that has characterised Zimbabwean
politics and society." Sadly, this has not happened.
The inclusive government can point to some achievements.
Inflation has been reduced from trillions to single figures, there
is economic growth, there is a media commission and although the
broadcast media largely supports one party, Zanu PF there has been
some diversity in the print media.
However, much of the agreement that provided the
basis for the inclusive government has not been implemented in either
letter or spirit. Violence and intimidation linked to elections
and the control of resources, including diamonds, are becoming more
widespread. The institutions of the state largely serve and support
Zanu PF in direct contradiction to the agreement. In practice there
is not freedom of assembly and organisation. There has been a constitutional
process, but it has been marred by violence and intimidation, and
is not what most Zimbabweans would describe as "owned and
driven by the people," which the agreement calls for.
The Zimbabwean people deserve better. There are
historic injustices, most notably around land. These should be addressed
in an open, transparent and non-politically partisan way, and if
they are, Britain should say it is willing to assist. This is what
the agreement calls for.
If the parties in the inclusive government, especially
Zanu PF, were really implementing the agreement they signed, then
the Zimbabwe they state they want: free of violence, fear, patronage,
corruption and founded on justice, transparency, dignity and equality
may be possible. If the agreement was really being implemented then
there would be no rationale for the EU's targeted measures.
The agreement was never perfect, nor a panacea, but it provided
some hope. It needs to be properly implemented. A start would be
stopping the violence now.
Tony Dykes,
Director of ACTSA said, "Two years into the inclusive government,
there is great concern about the increase in violence in the country.
The agreement that set up the inclusive government should be fully
implemented. Zimbabwe cannot return to the violence
experienced during the 2008
elections."
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