SW Radio Africa (London)
Tichaona Sibanda
4 March 2009
Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai on Wednesday called on all institutions in the country to uphold the rule of law and respect individual human rights, saying this is the only way that will allow aid to flow into Zimbabwe.
In his maiden speech in Parliament the Prime Minister said no donor country or institution is going to offer any meaningful assistance, unless the inclusive government projects a positive image.
He said by working together to promote freedoms at home and ensuring that they abide by the international treaties and conventions that they have ratified as a country, 'this would lead to our acceptance by the international community as a country and as individuals in the family of nations.'
'I therefore urge the international community to recognize our efforts, and to note the progress that we make in this regard, and to match our progress by moving towards the removal of restrictive measures,' Tsvangirai said.
He added; 'Brutal suppression, wanton arrests and political persecution impeded our ability to rebuild our economy. Those who continue to perpetuate the culture of impunity are sabotaging the chances of all Zimbabweans to move towards prosperity and freedom from hunger and poverty.'
Political analyst Isaac Dziya said that the remarks were aimed at the hardliners in ZANU PF who have long governed with impunity. He said without the rule of law no country will be prepared to part with its cash and help a country that oppresses its people.
'The country is deeply polarised and the system of patronage is so entrenched that Tsvangirai will face a big fight to achieve his goals. This might take time, but if implemeted fully there is a big chance that aid might start to flow in if the international community see some form of change on the ground,' Dziya said.
In his address, Tsvangirai dwelt at length on the abuse of human rights. He himself is a victim of police brutality and has on more than one occasion survived assassination attempts.
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Sanctions or no sanctions, it's criminal Mugabe who is to be blamed.
Tsvangirai tells it vividly! No foreign assistance will be forthcoming if the rule of law cannot be respected in Zimbabwe. If criminal Mugabe is unable to control the hardliners in the ZANU-PF, it's he who has to be kicked out and dragged before a court for high treason.
If he can cause a Bennett to be stopped, why cannot he do so against his cronies who are not respecting the rule of law? The world is not surprised at his closing his eyes against his cronies. Obama knows it. That is why he has renewed sanctions against Mugabe & his cronies for another year.
Can Tsvangirai deliver? Will Mugabe allow Tsvangirai to put order amongst his cronies?
I doubt it! Mugabe must go for Zimbabweans to be able to breath fresh air again!
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Takunya, now now, you just cant go around calling people a starts with c rhymes with hunt word.
Just goes to show how uncivilised and childish you are.
"Today and right now Zanu-pf supporters are being evicted from their homes, their properties are being seized, others are being abducted and disappearing and never to be seen again"
More propoganda. Just like your comments about how the MDC supporters killed each other during the elections last year to make the ZANU PF look bad and just like the CIA invented homosexuality and syphilis.
Oh and your comment about the west injected aid bound for Africa with HIV was a classic too.
And you blame President Mugabe for MDC-T thuggery, why, why, why?
Hi Tichaona why cant you tell the world that the PM has called for lifting of sanctions. Why do you bore readers with your stupid remarks about human rights bla bla. Zimbabwe is one of the countries misunderstood by your lackeys when it comes to respect of anything. Tichaona I told you before that very soon you will be out of your job because you will have nothing to write about Zim. You are friend to tell your gay friends that Tsvangirayi has seen reason at last.Land reform, soverignity,bantuism goes on says the PM but you can only parrot your gay friend's idioms "Human Rights". I am sick of journalist like you Tichaona. Tell the world as it is. Tell the british to lift the sanctions damn you.