Zimbabwe: Southern African churches call for sanctions

Church representatives from ten African nations have called for "targeted economic sanctions" to be imposed on Robert Mugabe's ZANU-PF regime following a four-day ecumenical summit to discuss the Zimbabwe crisis.

In a statement following the 'overcoming fear by faith' talks in Johannesburg last week, Christians from Zimbabwe, South Africa and other Southern African nations called on regional governments "to refuse to recognise" the Mugabe government and described sanctions as a practical strategy to loosen former President Robert Mugabe's 'illegitimate' grip on power.

The statement - which was backed by representatives from the United Congregational Church of Southern Africa, the Uniting Presbyterian Church in Southern Africa as well as a number of national councils of churches - also called on Southern African governments to step up their mediation efforts to help secure "a transitional administration and a truly negotiated settlement."

Progressio's advocacy coordinator for Africa, Dr. Steve Kibble said: "This declaration of support for the people of Zimbabwe from Southern African churches, including the Zimbabwean churches, underlines the desperate need for dialogue to help bring an end to the crisis." 

"Following this week's memorandum of understanding between Robert Mugabe, Morgan Tsvangirai and Arthur Mutambara, the dialogue appears to be starting: regional and church leaders must now ensure that the views and wishes of the Zimbabwean people are heard loud and clear and their needs met", Dr. Kibble said.

The churches' statement also spoke of the "human tragedy" which was being endured in Zimbabwe. "We have heard first-hand accounts of the pain of our [Zimbabwean] brothers, sisters and children who have endured assault, torture and intimidation", the statement read, adding that Zimbabwe was now in "profound crisis".

Church representatives also agreed the political fallout in Zimbabwe and its humanitarian consequences represent a "threat to the entire [Southern African] region", and vowed to "extend hospitality" to Zimbabweans who have been displaced as a result of the ongoing unrest.

The summit brought together Christians from Zimbabwe, South Africa, Mozambique, Zambia, Malawi, Tanzania, Madagascar, Namibia, Lesotho and Botswana.