Zimbabwe idag

The demonstrating women are released

According to Women´s Coalition of Zimbabwe themselves, all the 47 women who where arrested yesterday, was released last night at around 10 pm. This seemed to have happened through pressure from around 300 other women in solidarity with the arrested.

I have, however, no news of the arrested group from the organization (ROHR) Restoration of Human Rights in Zimbabwe, who also demonstrated on the streets of Harare yesterday. See pictures on this link:

http://www.swradioafrica.com/ROHR-protest-271008/index.html

On the political side, we receive news that the complete number of regional leaders have accepted to have yet another summit regarding the national and political crises of this country.

In the meantime, people are suffering from the almost complete deterioration of social services, like health and education in addition to the meltdown of social infrastructures like water distribution and food production. On top of that, we ahve learnt that many relief organizations are limited in their operations since the centralbank refuses to release foreign currencies belonging to the organizations. These organizations have enough food to supply millions, but are not able to operate efficiently since money is need for logistics and staff salaries.

by Deniz Kellecioglu, Policy and Advocacy Economist, Harare

Statement from the Women´s Coalition

Women´s Coalition of Zimbabwe

9 Edmonds Avenue, Belvedere, Harare.

Tel: 263- 4-775765,

Cell – 011 767 028, 023 432 038, 091 2 295 764

PRESS RELEASE
27October 2008

Harare: RIOT police in Harare, today descended on hundreds of women this morning who were peacefully protesting over the delayed conclusion of the peace talks between Zimbabwe’s three major political parties. At least 47 women were arrested around 10 in the morning and over 100 were beaten in the city as they were walking to the venue of the talks scheduled to begin this afternoon.

The Women’s Coalition of Zimbabwe (WCoZ) had mobilized nearly 1000 women who were tear- gassed and badly beaten as they regrouped at a spot near the Rainbow Towers where the talks are expected to be held.

Women started grouping for the demonstration around the Rainbow Towers at about 7am on Monday 27 October 2008 and the police dispersed them using tear gas and some of the women were beaten up. Some of the women even attempted to go directly to the Rainbow Towers and were beaten up too. By 1130, police had set up a road block and were turning away any cars intending to go to the venue of the talks, regardless of their purpose.

National Coordinator of the WCoZ, Netsai Mushonga is amongst those arrested and information reaching their offices said the group has been denied access to lawyers. Emilia Muchawa, WCoZ Chairperson, said “the major concern by women is manifest hunger, amongst other emergencies and the dire concern that failure to resolve the impasse will further exarcebate the situation.”

It is for these reasons that the Women’s Coalition of Zimbabwe demands the following;

1.    That the political party principals put the interests and concerns of the people of Zimbabwe first
2.    That the Political Party Principals negotiate and conclude the talks in good faith on Monday 27th October 2008.
3.    That an Inclusive Government be in place shortly thereafter to begin tackling the urgent challenges that the country is facing in accordance with the Agreement.
4.    That the Inclusive Government be constituted by a fair representation of women within the spirit of the Government of National Unity deal, SADC Protocol on Gender and Development and other regional and international instruments.

o    Conclude the Talks, We are dying of hunger.

o    Pedzayi Hurukuro, Tafa nenzara

o    Qedani inkulumo – sesilambile siyafa ngendlala

More women arrested and beaten

I have confirmed information that about 40 women where beaten and arrested just moments ago. They where taken by police to the Harare Central police station. Other women in solidarity through the organization Women´s coalition, are now in the process of compiling food and water to the arrested ones.

Couple of weeks ago, peaceful demonstrators from WOZA – Women of Zimbabwe Arise- where arrested. Two of the leaders Madogonga Mahlangu and Jenni Williams are still not released.

Please forward this information to people and decision makers…

The UK based newspaper is the first one to snap the issue:

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/africaandindianocean/zimbabwe/3267485/Police-arrest-protestors-at-Zimbabwe-summit.html

/Deniz

Civil society denied entrance

This morning regional political leaders gathered in central Harare, Rainbow Towers Hotel. The purpose is to reach another settlement that finally forms a government in Zimbabwe. We have had no formal government since march this year. Seven months without a government – seven rough month for the populace in general. But not because there was no government. Rather because the previous government insisted on maintaining power – a high cost for the people, who now struggle with turbulent hyperinflation of perhaps 100 percent EVERY DAY.

I tried to reach the hotel halls to take a glimpse on the atmosphere and the leaders, but were denied entrance outside the premises by police. Police officers where more in numbers than normal around the hotel premises and around the city center. Some riot police where also patrolling the area.

Also, I learnt that some women who wanted to demonstrate, where also denied entrance to the hotel premises. Apparently, they could not practice a demonstration anywhere in the city without troubled consequences.

However, on the ZANU-PF headquarter premises, which is neighboring the Rainbow Towers Hotel premises, around 50 ZANU-PF supporters where chanting and cheering without disturbance.

Driving through the city I also saw a police truck with about 15 women in white clothing taken somewhere. Hopefully, it was not arrests.

And hopefully, this week turns out to be the real turning point for Zimbabweans. However, most of them seem very skeptical and hopeless.

by Deniz Kellecioglu, Policy and Advocacy Economist, Harare

In the shadow of the global financial crises

by Deniz Kellecioglu, Policy and Advocacy Economist, Africa Groups of Sweden

In a time when many people around the world worry about impacts the financial crises may sustain to the own economy, there are people who have lost almost everything they have had. The  creating forces to these crises is the same, however: GREED. Greed for power and money.

Although, the consequences are very dissimilar. The very rich who created the credit bubble will get away with fat retirement schemes. Others, the general public, labour force and business will be affected by unemployment and face lower demand, resulting in lower incomes. But almost all of them in the richer countries will be more than okay, and will regain lost incomes later. In developing countries the existing middle classes will be shaken, and many will fall into poverty. This will decrease the income levels for the already poor. The result will be permanent widening inequalities and greater number of people in poverty.

For Zimbabweans, what some rich people did in a far distant part of the world, will again lay another burden on their already weakened shoulders. Many will die. Some are dying already.

This happens while countries like USA injects USD 700 billions in the financial sectors to save their capitalists and minimize the effects on the american economy. By contrast, the USA provided foreign aid for a value of USD 21,7 billions last year. Other rich countries have the similar priorities. Last year, total global aid was USD 103,7 billions. This is only about 3,7 percent of the planned bail-outs in USA and Europe today. This is without considering the quality of the aid, which is questionable in most cases.

What about bail-outs for Zimbabweans? Domestic and external elitist have created the meltdown of the country and the deepening misery of Zimbabweans. No, no bail-outs, nor compensation for Zimbabweans. Instead, a bag of targeted sanctions, while those targeted have gripped their fists harder in a bid to stay in power and wealth.

Apparently, still, there are PEOPLE and there are people…

Today, we are seeing pictures of children with kwashiorkor… in Zimbabwe, not in a war-thorn country from the 1980s… in Zimbabwe. It might not be widespread, but gives a concrete indication of where the country is, and where it will go if something is not done urgently.

The situation in Zimbabwe today is like a nightmare where you, powerless, witness the misery and slow death of a loved one.

In reality, you are not powerless. Please, find your way to be a small part of a greater change.

Det är riktigt illa nu!

Hinner tyvärr inte skriva så mycket, vi har haft mycket för oss på sistone. Men läs gärna Mail & Guardian artikeln:

http://www.mg.co.za/article/2008-10-05-zim-on-the-brink-of-new-crisis-as-food-runs-out

Imorgon åker jag och Ntando till Chiredzi, en småstad och närliggande byar för fälststudier. Återkommer om en vecka med med Zim-nyheter och analyser då.