Vice-President Joice Mujuru With Her Chinese Counterpart, Zeng Qinghong
Originally uploaded by Pan-African News Wire Photo File
From Victoria Ruzvidzo in Shanghai, China and Zvam
Zimbabwe Herald
China has called for the immediate lifting of the illegal sanctions imposed on Zimbabwe by the West, stressing that no country or region has the right to meddle in Zimbabwe’s internal politics.
In a related case, Ghana’s Vice President, Mr John Dramani Mahama, last Friday added his voice in the call for the lifting of sanctions against Zimbabwe, saying this would help the country to realise its full potential.
In an interview last week, China’s Foreign Affairs Vice-Minister in charge of African Affairs, Mr Zhai Jun, took a swipe at the interference, saying Zimbabwe was capable of handling its challenges. Sanctions were hurting the economy, he said.
"Zimbabweans can solve their own problems. We follow the principle that Zimbabwean people should solve Zimbabwe’s problems while Africans should solve Africa’s problems," said Mr Zhai.
Sanctions continue to frustrate all efforts to turn around the economy, with some multilateral and bilateral lending institutions demonstrating reluctance to do business with Zimbabwe.
However, the inclusive Government, he said, had the potential to foster development and prosperity in Zimbabwe.
China, Russia, and South Africa were among the countries that voted against a spirited campaign by the United States and Europe to have Zimbabwe put on the UN Security Council agenda and legally confirm the imposition of sanctions on Zimbabwe.
These three countries insisted that the Zimbabwe issue was not a threat to world peace and the UN had no business involving itself in the bilateral dispute between Britain and its former colony.
UN approved embargoes would have had devastating effects on a country already grappling with illegal sanctions. "We resolutely rejected sanctions on Zimbabwe at the United Nations and China will continue to help Zimbabwe in appealing to the international community to remove sanctions. "We will continue to provide moral and material support to Zimbabwe," he said.
The Vice Foreign Minister, who visited Zimbabwe last year, said he had held lengthy meetings with President Mugabe from which, he emerged more informed about developments in this country.
"We have excellent relations with Zimbabwe. I still recall very well the interactions I had with President Mugabe. I had a wonderful time in Zimbabwe. It is a beautiful country," he said.
Briefing African journalists attending a familiarisation programme, Mr Zhai said China would continue to strengthen its "profound traditional" relationship with Africa. "To strengthen friendship and co-operation with Africa forms an important part of China’s foreign policy and diplomacy. Our strategic partnership is based on mutual trust and win-win economic and political ties."
He said it was myopic for anyone to think that China was a big brother out to bulldoze Africa, saying relations between the two began decades ago "and not yesterday or the day before yesterday".
"No matter what the West will say, our co-operation with Africa is rooted in the past and in the future."
Strong relations between the Asian giant and Africa were made possible by similar historical backgrounds and the desire to achieve mutually beneficial partnerships. "If the West wants to help Africa, we have no problems with that. We will be happy to see the West help," said Mr Zhai.
He challenged journalists from Africa to bridge the communication gap.
"When we want to know about Africa and when Africa wants to know more about China, we depend on the Western media. This situation must change," he said.
On its part, China was implementing journalist exchange programmes with Africa and other developing regions to keep them abreast with developments in the Asian country.
At least 21 journalists from Africa and others from developing countries are on a 10-day tour of Beijing, Shanghai and other towns.
After meeting Deputy Prime Minister Thokozani Khupe, Ghana VP Mr Mahama said removal of sanctions would help Zimbabwe attain its full potential.
VP Mahama said his country was ready to support Harare in its economic recovery like it did during the liberation struggle. "We are following political developments in Zimbabwe. We know that there are sanctions imposed and we feel that they should be removed so that the country can embark on its developmental projects of empowering its people," said VP Mahama.
VP Nkomo calls for unity of purpose
Masvingo Bureau
Vice President John Landa Nkomo has called for unity of purpose among Zimbabweans saying the country was still at risk of losing its heritage and gains of the liberation struggle.
Addressing about 5 000 Zanu-PF supporters at Sarahuru Business Centre in Mwenezi last Saturday during belated celebrations to mark Zanu-PF’s victory in the district during the 2008 harmonised polls, VP Nkomo stressed the need for unity among Zimbabweans.
He said agents of regime change were still determined to depose Zanu-PF.
"There should be unity among Zimbabweans because we have got common history, this country came as a result of the blood that was spilt during the war of liberation.
"Therefore, we must work in unison and preserve the gains of the liberation. If we do not do that we risk losing our heritage.
"You are lucky in that we have a brave and courageous leader in President Mugabe and we should continue to support him. Let’s not walk behind him, but besides him," said VP Nkomo.
He showered praise on Zimbabweans for remaining resolute by defeating the regime change agenda that was being pushed by the country’s former coloniser.
"The regime change agenda has failed because you the people of Zimbabwe rejected to remove President Mugabe from office and instead you demanded your land.
"I urge you to continue defending your country, your resources and your land.
"We are free today, we are ourselves, we have democracy in Zimbabwe, not because of the imperialists, but because we fought for it," he said.
Turning to the land reform programme, VP Nkomo appealed for maximum use of land, adding that Zimbabweans were not supposed to listen to the attacks from the country’s detractors who were busy trying to divide people.
VP Nkomo said President Mugabe had managed to outlive his rivals as former US President George W. Bush and his British counterpart Tony Blair both left office before implementing their regime change agenda.
Speaking at the same function, Zanu-PF Politburo member, Dr Stan Mudenge hailed the people of Mwenezi for solidly supporting Zanu-PF as evidenced by the rejection of MDC formations in the 2008 harmonised polls.
Cde Mudenge paid tribute to the Zanu-PF presidium forincreasing Masvingo’s slots in the Politburo, a development that saw Mwenezi East legislator, Cde Kudakwashe Bhasikiti being appointed deputy secretary for Economic Affairs.
Politburo member Cde Dzikamai Mavhaire, Masvingo Governor Cde Titus Maluleke and other senior Zanu-PF members also toured Moria Farm near Rutenga Business Centre where Cde Bhasikiti is growing winter maize and venturing into horticulture.
Bennett offers to step aside
Herald Reporter
MDC-T treasurer-general and Deputy Agriculture Minister-designate, Senator Roy Bennett, has offered to relinquish the post he was offered by Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai reportedly to allow the inclusive Government to function normally.
He is out of custody on bail on banditry and terrorism charges he is facing in the High Court where judgment on his application for refusal of remand is expected today. Sen Bennett made the remarks in an interview with a British newspaper at his home yesterday.
"I was elected to my position by the people of Zimbabwe to serve them honestly and transparently so I have absolutely no problem where I serve. Certainly, I would hate a process to stop over individuals and personalities," he said. Sen Bennett then said he was willing to step aside to allow the inclusive Government to function properly.
"Certainly a single post should not stop that process moving forward. So if it meant step aside completely and not be involved and that would move the process forward towards a fresh election and towards democracy, I would be the first person to endorse that."
President Mugabe refused to swear-in Sen Bennett last year arguing he had to be cleared by the courts on the banditry and terrorism charges he is facing.
During President Jacob Zuma (Sadc-appointed facilitator)’s visit to Zimbabwe in February, there were indications that negotiators from all the parties had agreed to have Sen Bennett reassigned to another post following reservations raised by Zanu-PF over his suitability for the agriculture portfolio.
Zanu-PF raised concerns over Sen Bennett’s close links with Rhodesian elements opposed to the land reform programme as the reason why he could not be trusted in such an important portfolio.
MDC-T then denied that they had agreed to such a condition with the other parties.
The MDC-T spokesperson Mr Nelson Chamisa yesterday said his party’s position on the appointment of Sen Bennett remained the same despite his remarks in an interview with the British paper.
"The issues of appointments are not about individuals’ personal opinions. It is the party that deploys its cadres to different stations of services to the people. Consistent with that level of spirit we see no reason why Bennett should not serve in the position he was deployed by the party although we respect his personal opinion," Mr Chamisa said.
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