Africa Action: Activism for Africa Since 1953
Africa Action Statement on the Upcoming Elections in Zimbabwe
On the 29th of March, 2008, millions of Zimbabweans will cast their votes for president, legislators and local government officials in what potentially could be the election that ends Robert Mugabe’s 28-year rule. As this potentially historic day approaches, Africa Action reiterates its long-standing solidarity with the people of Zimbabwe in their efforts to build a free, democratic, prosperous and socially just society. Africa Action’s commitment to support the people of Zimbabwe in this difficult challenge traces back to the liberation struggle era and transcends any individual, political party or formation - it is a commitment to the timeless social justice ideals that inspired generation after generation of Zimbabweans to stand up against oppression and organize for freedom, equality and human rights. In this spirit, Africa Action calls on the United States to desist from its unilateral intervention in Zimbabwe and instead play a constructive role through a multilateral effort to engage all international stakeholders in support of the democratic process in Zimbabwe.
The forthcoming elections take place in an electoral environment that has been shaped by the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC)-sponsored dialogue between the opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) and ruling Zimbabwe African National Union Patriotic Front (ZANU PF). This dialogue, facilitated by South African President Thabo Mbeki, resulted in a series of constitutional amendments aimed at leveling the political playing field. These amendments address contentious issues regarding media, security and electoral legislation and were co-sponsored by both the opposition and the ruling party. While welcoming the progress made through this dialogue and the principle of multilateral intervention to solve Zimbabwe’s problems, Africa Action echoes the concerns expressed by many in Zimbabwe of the exclusion of civil society from this process. Further, Africa Action is dismayed at the apparent premature termination of the dialogue and lack of agreement on a timetable to implement the resolutions.
Millions of Zimbabweans look to the forth-coming elections with great hope and expectation. A near decade-long acute political, social and economic crisis has left Zimbabweans desperate for change. With the world’s highest inflation rate (26,000%), an unemployment rate of 80%, and relentless shortages of food, drugs, fuel and other basic commodities, Zimbabwe has been described by some of its citizens as “a living hell.” Millions have left, driven out by unbearable living conditions, often to live in equally dehumanizing conditions in South Africa and elsewhere around the world.
Under President Bush’s administration, the U.S. has been at the forefront of international intervention in Zimbabwe. In 2003, the U.S. passed the Zimbabwe Economic and Democracy Recovery Act. Guided by this law, current U.S. policy includes support of opposition groups, stiff sanctions targeting President Mugabe’s inner circle but with nationwide impact, and diplomatic efforts that result in international isolation of Zimbabwe. The U.S.’s aggressive unilateral role has not been helpful; particularly since the Bush administration’s international standing is severely battered as the result of other globally unpopular U.S. foreign policies. In the short term, the Bush administration’s cowboy tactics and intervention in Zimbabwe strengthen Mugabe’s pretentious projection of himself as a victim of western imperialist forces. More broadly, these policies raise the disturbing possibility of a post-Mugabe administration that is more loyal to U.S. interests than the people of Zimbabwe.
Africa Action calls for constructive U.S. engagement that prioritizes intervention through a multilateral framework that brings together SADC, the AU and the UN and is guided not by narrow economic ideology and geopolitical interests but by the democratic aspirations of the people of Zimbabwe. U.S. policy in Zimbabwe must be founded on a genuine commitment to the democratic process rather than allegiance to particular individuals or organizations. Putting into practice the commitment to democracy U.S. officials rhetorically espouse daily is the least the U.S. can do to atone for its shameful support of the minority Rhodesian regime in the past and its failure to fulfill developmental assistance commitments made at the time of Zimbabwe’s independence, including support for land reform.
The people of Zimbabwe deserve a genuine chance at democracy and freedom. Africa Action stands in principled solidarity with Zimbabwean civic society voices at the recent National People’s Convention calling for comprehensive solutions to Zimbabwe’s problems including a people driven, democratic constitution. In order to build an enduring democracy, Zimbabwe urgently needs to resolve the unfinished business of its liberation struggle and decisively deal with the underlying problems of the last decade through genuine economic restructuring and redistributive programs that prioritize people.
In light of the urgent need to rebuild Zimbabwe, it is important for the March elections to be held in a free and fair environment that produces a credible outcome accepted by all Zimbabweans as legitimate. This would give Zimbabweans a common rallying point to immediately attend to the urgent task of national reconstruction. Considering their discredited role in the past, Africa Action calls on all state institutions involved in the conduct of the elections, including the Zimbabwe Republic Police and the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission to discharge their duties in an honorable and non-partisan manner. In order to support a climate of peace and respect for human rights in the election, it is critical for both local and international observers to be on the ground in time to monitor the pre and post election environment as well as the electoral procedures on the actual voting day.
Africa Action seeks to give voice to the yearning of many ordinary Zimbabweans for unhindered free participation in determining the future of their country. The potential that the March 2008 election presents must not be undermined. Zimbabweans have an opportunity to stop the widespread suffering and steer the country in a new direction, consistent with the democratic and social justice ideals of its people. Africa Action calls for constructive U.S. policies to support this endeavor.
The forthcoming elections take place in an electoral environment that has been shaped by the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC)-sponsored dialogue between the opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) and ruling Zimbabwe African National Union Patriotic Front (ZANU PF). This dialogue, facilitated by South African President Thabo Mbeki, resulted in a series of constitutional amendments aimed at leveling the political playing field. These amendments address contentious issues regarding media, security and electoral legislation and were co-sponsored by both the opposition and the ruling party. While welcoming the progress made through this dialogue and the principle of multilateral intervention to solve Zimbabwe’s problems, Africa Action echoes the concerns expressed by many in Zimbabwe of the exclusion of civil society from this process. Further, Africa Action is dismayed at the apparent premature termination of the dialogue and lack of agreement on a timetable to implement the resolutions.
Millions of Zimbabweans look to the forth-coming elections with great hope and expectation. A near decade-long acute political, social and economic crisis has left Zimbabweans desperate for change. With the world’s highest inflation rate (26,000%), an unemployment rate of 80%, and relentless shortages of food, drugs, fuel and other basic commodities, Zimbabwe has been described by some of its citizens as “a living hell.” Millions have left, driven out by unbearable living conditions, often to live in equally dehumanizing conditions in South Africa and elsewhere around the world.
Under President Bush’s administration, the U.S. has been at the forefront of international intervention in Zimbabwe. In 2003, the U.S. passed the Zimbabwe Economic and Democracy Recovery Act. Guided by this law, current U.S. policy includes support of opposition groups, stiff sanctions targeting President Mugabe’s inner circle but with nationwide impact, and diplomatic efforts that result in international isolation of Zimbabwe. The U.S.’s aggressive unilateral role has not been helpful; particularly since the Bush administration’s international standing is severely battered as the result of other globally unpopular U.S. foreign policies. In the short term, the Bush administration’s cowboy tactics and intervention in Zimbabwe strengthen Mugabe’s pretentious projection of himself as a victim of western imperialist forces. More broadly, these policies raise the disturbing possibility of a post-Mugabe administration that is more loyal to U.S. interests than the people of Zimbabwe.
Africa Action calls for constructive U.S. engagement that prioritizes intervention through a multilateral framework that brings together SADC, the AU and the UN and is guided not by narrow economic ideology and geopolitical interests but by the democratic aspirations of the people of Zimbabwe. U.S. policy in Zimbabwe must be founded on a genuine commitment to the democratic process rather than allegiance to particular individuals or organizations. Putting into practice the commitment to democracy U.S. officials rhetorically espouse daily is the least the U.S. can do to atone for its shameful support of the minority Rhodesian regime in the past and its failure to fulfill developmental assistance commitments made at the time of Zimbabwe’s independence, including support for land reform.
The people of Zimbabwe deserve a genuine chance at democracy and freedom. Africa Action stands in principled solidarity with Zimbabwean civic society voices at the recent National People’s Convention calling for comprehensive solutions to Zimbabwe’s problems including a people driven, democratic constitution. In order to build an enduring democracy, Zimbabwe urgently needs to resolve the unfinished business of its liberation struggle and decisively deal with the underlying problems of the last decade through genuine economic restructuring and redistributive programs that prioritize people.
In light of the urgent need to rebuild Zimbabwe, it is important for the March elections to be held in a free and fair environment that produces a credible outcome accepted by all Zimbabweans as legitimate. This would give Zimbabweans a common rallying point to immediately attend to the urgent task of national reconstruction. Considering their discredited role in the past, Africa Action calls on all state institutions involved in the conduct of the elections, including the Zimbabwe Republic Police and the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission to discharge their duties in an honorable and non-partisan manner. In order to support a climate of peace and respect for human rights in the election, it is critical for both local and international observers to be on the ground in time to monitor the pre and post election environment as well as the electoral procedures on the actual voting day.
Africa Action seeks to give voice to the yearning of many ordinary Zimbabweans for unhindered free participation in determining the future of their country. The potential that the March 2008 election presents must not be undermined. Zimbabweans have an opportunity to stop the widespread suffering and steer the country in a new direction, consistent with the democratic and social justice ideals of its people. Africa Action calls for constructive U.S. policies to support this endeavor.
