Robert Mugabe, President of Zimbabwe called for an end to political violence and committed his party to campaigning peacefully as the country marked the start of a national reconciliation process during the three days celebration in Harare, said the Reuters.
Zimbabwe was plunged into violence last year as Mugabe fought to reclaim power in a run-off vote after being defeated by Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) leader Morgan Tsvangirai, now prime minister in a new unity government.
As the Reuters reports, though the formation of the new administration in February has eased political tension, the MDC says some of its members continue to be targeted by Mugabe’s Zimbabwe African National Union – Patriotic Front (ZANU-PF) members in the countryside.
Mugabe said during the ceremony of making three days to observe national healing and reconciliation “there are still reported cases of political violence and these must stop”.
Followed President Mugabe’s speech, a veteran leader also said “We will commit members of our party in observation of the principles of non-violence. You should not succeed through violence but the efficacy of your political theory and your campaign”.
Zimbabwe has long battled its political violence from the colonial days as well as after independence in 1980 when a special unit led a crackdown against what it branded an insurgency in the Western parts of the country leaving thousands dead.
Civic groups says, according to the Reuters, up to 20, 000 people and mostly civilians were killed, but president Mugabe denies it by saying the figures were exaggerated.
He also previously described the period as “a moment of madness”.
Twenty yeas later, since 2000, unfortunately the country was once again plunged into political violence when liberation veterans started seizing white-owned commercial farms, killing dozens of farmers and opposition supporters during the process.
Most recently during the “cheated” election in 2008 as mentioned before, MDC said more than 200 of its members were killed to death in a violent run-off campaign which Mugabe won his opponent Tsvangirai, who indeed defeated Mugabe in the first round presidential election.
Tsvangirai said at the same ceremony: “These three days of dedication must herald the beginning of a genuine open and frank process that includes and incorporates the concept of transitional justice.
“Zimbabwe has suffered so many phases of trauma, upheaval and conflict that there must be agreement on defining the scope of the healing process.”
He added that the reconciliation process should also include the pre-independence period during which the former white colonial government was accused of atrocities against nationalist politicians challenging its rule.
The weekend or three days of national dedication to celebrate newly-found peace and unity was part of the program of the Organ on National Healing, Reconciliation and Integration’s activities over the next six months, the Zimbabwe Times reports.
John Nkomo, the Minister of State responsible for National Healing, Reconciliation and Integration made the remarks when he addressed the Zimbabwe Council of Churches held in Harare on the role of the Church as a reconciler, healer and peace builder.
He said the Church had a critical role to play in the healing and reconciliation process, pointing out that the majority of Zimbabweans were Christians, said the Zimbabwe Times.
Showing posts with label Robert Mugabe. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Robert Mugabe. Show all posts
Monday, 27 July 2009
Wednesday, 8 July 2009
Mugabe labels top US official “an idiot” the reports say
President Robert Mugabe described the US assistant secretary of state for African Affairs as “an idiot” after their African summit in Libya, Zimbabwe’s state-owned Herald newspaper reports on 8 July.
Mr Mugabe said nothing came out of his talks with Mr Johnnie Carson – his first meeting with a US government official for many years.
According to the Herald newspaper, Mr Mugabe said: “You wouldn't speak to an idiot of that nature. I was very angry with him, and he thinks he could dictate to us what to do.”
He went on saying the Southern African Development Community supported the unity government.
However, “You have the little fellow like Carson wanting to say ‘You do this, you do that'.
“Who is he?
“I hope he was not speaking for Obama, I told him he was a shame, a great shame, being an African American.”
According to the BBC, the Obama administration has been sceptical of the power-sharing government formed between Mr Mugabe and Mr Tsvangirai, who had been lobbying for aid and re-engaging Zimbabwe with Western leaders last month in United States and Europe.
Mr Tsvangirai said the country needed $7bn to revive its economy.
President Obama committed $73 million, but said: “It will not be going to the government directly because we continue to be concerned about consolidating democracy, human rights, and the rule of law.”
Mr Mugabe was also not fond of Mr Carson’s predecessor, Jendayi Frazer, who is the same as Mr Carson, a black, the Independent said.
He described Jendayi as “a little American girl trotting around the globe like a prostitute” in last May, after she suggested the Movement for Democratic Change had won the disputed national presidential election in March 2008.
Apart from Jendayi, Mugabe also called former British Prime Minister Tony Blair a “B-Liar”.
Bofore Tsvangirai joined the coalition government, Mugabe had referred to him as “Fatcheeks” and a tea boy, a lowly domestic worker, according to the Independent.
Mr Mugabe is known for his vitriolic outbursts against his critics, such as former US Ambassador to Zimbabwe James McGee, who is a harsh black critic of Mugabe’s autocratic rule.
Mugabe described him as a “house Negro” for white western leaders.
McGee rejected the idea Zimbabwe needed more support from donors to restore the rule of law, respect for human rights and to guarantee basic freedoms of speech and association.
He said: “It doesn’t cost anything…to have judges apply the law equally. Dropping phantom politically motivated prosecutions is free. Stopping the arrests of political activists and independent journalists is also free.”
Mr Mugabe said nothing came out of his talks with Mr Johnnie Carson – his first meeting with a US government official for many years.
According to the Herald newspaper, Mr Mugabe said: “You wouldn't speak to an idiot of that nature. I was very angry with him, and he thinks he could dictate to us what to do.”
He went on saying the Southern African Development Community supported the unity government.
However, “You have the little fellow like Carson wanting to say ‘You do this, you do that'.
“Who is he?
“I hope he was not speaking for Obama, I told him he was a shame, a great shame, being an African American.”
According to the BBC, the Obama administration has been sceptical of the power-sharing government formed between Mr Mugabe and Mr Tsvangirai, who had been lobbying for aid and re-engaging Zimbabwe with Western leaders last month in United States and Europe.
Mr Tsvangirai said the country needed $7bn to revive its economy.
President Obama committed $73 million, but said: “It will not be going to the government directly because we continue to be concerned about consolidating democracy, human rights, and the rule of law.”
Mr Mugabe was also not fond of Mr Carson’s predecessor, Jendayi Frazer, who is the same as Mr Carson, a black, the Independent said.
He described Jendayi as “a little American girl trotting around the globe like a prostitute” in last May, after she suggested the Movement for Democratic Change had won the disputed national presidential election in March 2008.
Apart from Jendayi, Mugabe also called former British Prime Minister Tony Blair a “B-Liar”.
Bofore Tsvangirai joined the coalition government, Mugabe had referred to him as “Fatcheeks” and a tea boy, a lowly domestic worker, according to the Independent.
Mr Mugabe is known for his vitriolic outbursts against his critics, such as former US Ambassador to Zimbabwe James McGee, who is a harsh black critic of Mugabe’s autocratic rule.
Mugabe described him as a “house Negro” for white western leaders.
McGee rejected the idea Zimbabwe needed more support from donors to restore the rule of law, respect for human rights and to guarantee basic freedoms of speech and association.
He said: “It doesn’t cost anything…to have judges apply the law equally. Dropping phantom politically motivated prosecutions is free. Stopping the arrests of political activists and independent journalists is also free.”
Wednesday, 15 October 2008
Zimbabwe power sharing crisis
The former South Africa president Thabo Mbeki mediates the Zimbabwe power-sharing crisis.
However, according to Mr. Tsvangirai, there was no conclusion for the first day discussion, and will continue tomorrow at 1030.
President Robert Mugabe said that "continuing tomorrow means we have covered some area today".
The US state department spokesman expressed his concern about "Mugabe's overstepping the bounds of agreement."
The European Union also condemned Mugabe's "unilateral decision".
Cabinet's imbalanced power-sharing
Earlier this week, Zimbabwe opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai condemned the imblance of cabinate power-sharing, 13 out of 15 seats were allocated to President Robert Mugabe's Zanu-PF party.
The most important posts including defence, home, foreign affairs, and justice were allocated to Zanu-PF party, the Movement of Democratic Change (MDC) leader Morgan Tsvangirai call for re-allocating the cabinate positions.
Can Mr. Mbeki solve the deal?
Mr Mbeki's spokesman said he was confident he would be able to rescue the deal, which he brokered just before he stepping down as president of South Africa.
And this is Mr Mbeki's first direct intervention since he resigned as South Africa's head of state.
However, according to Mr. Tsvangirai, there was no conclusion for the first day discussion, and will continue tomorrow at 1030.
President Robert Mugabe said that "continuing tomorrow means we have covered some area today".
The US state department spokesman expressed his concern about "Mugabe's overstepping the bounds of agreement."
The European Union also condemned Mugabe's "unilateral decision".
Cabinet's imbalanced power-sharing
Earlier this week, Zimbabwe opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai condemned the imblance of cabinate power-sharing, 13 out of 15 seats were allocated to President Robert Mugabe's Zanu-PF party.
The most important posts including defence, home, foreign affairs, and justice were allocated to Zanu-PF party, the Movement of Democratic Change (MDC) leader Morgan Tsvangirai call for re-allocating the cabinate positions.
Can Mr. Mbeki solve the deal?
Mr Mbeki's spokesman said he was confident he would be able to rescue the deal, which he brokered just before he stepping down as president of South Africa.
And this is Mr Mbeki's first direct intervention since he resigned as South Africa's head of state.
Saturday, 19 April 2008
Zimbabwe Election Crisis
The delay of releasing election result escalates Zimbabwe election Crisis. the opposition party Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) has won the parlimentary election victory.
It's the first time after 1970s' independence, Zimbabwe's leader Robert Mugabe has lost the parliamentary election.
Call for democracy
Western countries are condemning Zimbabwe's democracy practice, from western point of view, president Robert Mugabe as an arrogant dictator and easy to be blamed.
According to Robert Mugabe's react, there's no way for westerners to shout about Zimbabwe's democracy.
As before 1970s, even Zimbabwe wasn't an independent country, and colonised by Britain.
Regional solidarity
It's very relunctant for other African leader to critise Robert Mugabe publicly.
As the tradition in Africa leave crisis within African's hands,and resolve African problem in African way.
Southern Africa countries're painfully aware how Zimbabwe's collapse could bring them chaos.
So far some countries're already in a embarrased situation to host three million Zimbabeweans, and can't bear any more Zimbabeweans any more
Therefore, regional solidarity is still a obvious theme within African reigional diplomacy.
It's the first time after 1970s' independence, Zimbabwe's leader Robert Mugabe has lost the parliamentary election.
Call for democracy
Western countries are condemning Zimbabwe's democracy practice, from western point of view, president Robert Mugabe as an arrogant dictator and easy to be blamed.
According to Robert Mugabe's react, there's no way for westerners to shout about Zimbabwe's democracy.
As before 1970s, even Zimbabwe wasn't an independent country, and colonised by Britain.
Regional solidarity
It's very relunctant for other African leader to critise Robert Mugabe publicly.
As the tradition in Africa leave crisis within African's hands,and resolve African problem in African way.
Southern Africa countries're painfully aware how Zimbabwe's collapse could bring them chaos.
So far some countries're already in a embarrased situation to host three million Zimbabeweans, and can't bear any more Zimbabeweans any more
Therefore, regional solidarity is still a obvious theme within African reigional diplomacy.
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