|
There is an urgent need for the Zimbabwean electoral commission to set a
date for the presidential run-off vote. The role of the Southern
African Development Community, SADC, is crucial to ensuring pressure is
put on the Zimbabwean Government to hold the election within weeks
rather than months. The last time we discussed Zimbabwe was six months
ago. At that time I stated that inflation was 1,700% and unemployment
was 80%. Within the past six months, inflation has risen to 150,000%
and unemployment to 92%. Matters have become dramatically worse within
the past six months and there are major concerns.
I am
concerned that the deputy information Minister, Bright Matonga, has said
that under the Electoral Act the election could be delayed for up to 12
months for logistical reasons. That sets the alarm bells ringing. The
escalation in violence is a cause of great concern and UN spokesperson
Michelle Montas has warned that the increase in incidences of violence
could soon reach crisis levels. The Zimbabwean Association of Doctors
for Human Rights has reported 22 deaths and widespread torture within
the past four weeks. Human Rights Watch has called it state-sponsored
violence and the military has been involved directly and indirectly
through the provision of arms and transport.
The
key phrase comes from the UN Secretary General, Ban Ki-moon, who has
called for the next phases of Zimbabwe's election to be free and fair.
These terms are crucial to the next weeks and months. I am concerned
about reports of attacks on farmers and their workers in the past
month. The inherited knowledge of husbandry of the farmland of Zimbabwe
is being lost within a short period. It was lost 20 years ago but
within the past year the violence, riots and seizing of land has meant
the loss of established farm practices, a note of major concern to us
all. In addition, the fast-track land resettlement programme
implemented by the Government of Zimbabwe post-2000 has led to serious
human rights violations. An extract from the Human Rights Watch report
of 2002 stated:
Once
some sort of stability has been restored, and violence ended, the
competing claims of commercial farmers, farm workers, new settlers, and
the state to land must be arbitrated by an impartial tribunal with
authority to adjudicate disputes over land and allocate title fairly.
The international donor community should give generous assistance to
efforts to ensure a sustainable settlement to the land question in
Zimbabwe.
On
this island there is a precedent for the allocation of land. Throughout
the 20th century the Land Commission operated and it allocated land to
the less well-off in Ireland in a fair and impartial manner. We can
look back on a relatively honourable and trustworthy body's history in
resolving the challenge of a post-colonial era. Ireland can bring its
knowledge of the Land Commission to Zimbabwe. As one post-colonial
country to another, I hope we can find a role to give the knowledge and
extend the hand of friendship through the Department of Foreign
Affairs. I hope the new Minister of State at the Department of Foreign
Affairs with responsibility for overseas development aid, Deputy Peter
Power, will use his skills and talent to bring the knowledge we have in
Ireland to Zimbabwe. The new conflict resolution unit is up and running
and could play a role in assisting him to allow Ireland to play a strong
role in leading Zimbabwe to peace once more. |
CiaranCuffe.com