Cautious welcome from Progressio to news of Zimbabwe power sharing

Development agency Progressio today gave a cautious welcome to the news announced last night by President Thabo Mbeki that there would be a power sharing agreement for a Government of National Unity in Zimbabwe.

The political parties involved in the negotiations are expected to sign on Monday 15th September. Dr Steve Kibble,  Progressio Advocacy Co-ordinator commented: "While offering a cautious welcome to this news we know from the people we work with in Zimbabwe that there is currently a lack of clarity about the detail of the agreement and there is a long road ahead before the manifold crises of Zimbabwe will be overcome."

Dr Kibble added: "It is very early days. We have no idea at the moment who will be in charge of the key areas of security and policing, or just how long the term of the Government of National Unity will be in order that the conditions for free and fair elections are created."  He said that one of the greatest challenges will be the establishing of confidence building measures by Zimbabwe to attract outside support and the removal of limited sanctions.

Progressio is aware that civil society in Zimbabwe wants confidence building measures in the short term to include:

• the immediate cessation of violence
• unfettered access of humanitarian NGOs and UN agencies to all areas
• the lifting of the ban on NGOs working on human rights and democracy
• those displaced by recent electoral-related violence to be allowed to return home without harassment
• an end of state media hate speech
• prosecution of alleged perpetrators of violence

Says Dr Kibble: "The people with whom we work in Zimbabwe say that in the medium term they will need not only conditions for free and fair elections, but also the widest possible transparent process for a new people-driven constitution. They will also need reform of the judiciary, police, civil service, military, and the disbanding of the Joint Operations Command (JOC). A process of truth-seeking and reconciliation will also have to be undertaken."
 
The international community will need to be ready to help with recovery programmes once it is clear that progress towards normality and democracy is sustained, he added.

Dr Steve Kibble is Progressio's Africa/Yemen Advocacy Coordinator and has written and advocated on Zimbabwean issues for 20 years. Steve is available for interview as details of the country's historic power-sharing agreement emerge.

For further information contact Progressio's Communications Manager, Keith Ewing, on 07701 051 971.