Zimbabwe targets aid groups as crackdown expands
Zimbabwe targets aid groups as crackdown expandsBy Reuters
Tuesday April 17, 2007 [11:40]
Zimbabwe has deregistered all non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and told them to submit new applications to try to weed out groups it says are trying to oust President Robert Mugabe, state radio said on Tuesday.
Mugabe, sole ruler since independence in 1980, has accused NGOs and aid groups of supporting the main opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) and imposed tight restrictions on food aid distribution in the country.
Minister of Information and Publicity Sikhanyiso Ndlovu said Harare was targeting NGOs because some were using relief activities as a cover for a MDC-led campaign to overthrow the government, state radio reported.
"Pro-opposition and Western organizations masquerading as relief agencies continue to mushroom, and the government has annulled the registration of all NGOs in order to screen out agents of imperialism from organisations working to uplift the wellbeing of the poor," Ndlovu was quoted as saying.
Government officials were not immediately available for comment.
But aid groups in the country, which is struggling with a deepening economic crisis marked by soaring inflation, poverty and chronic food and fuel shortages, expressed concern.
They said the government's move could stop food aid from reaching Zimbabwe, which has signaled it expects a huge shortfall of maize this year due to drought. Maize is the nation's key staple.
There are also concerns that programs that combat the southern African nation's HIV/AIDS epidemic, considered one of the worst on the continent, could be impeded by the government's deregistration campaign.
Labels: NEOCONSERVATISM, REUTERS, ZIMBABWE
posted by MrK @ 10:44 PM
1 Comments:
Who comes up with these garbage photographs? Reuters? Someone at The Post? It is like they shoot 100, and pick the one that is the most embarassing to print.
" Mugabe, sole ruler since independence in 1980, "
He keeps getting re-elected...
" has accused NGOs and aid groups of supporting the main opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) and imposed tight restrictions on food aid distribution in the country. "
Actually he has accused the US of using NGOs to foment unrest in the country. Which the US has pretty much confirmed. The US is spending millions of dollars to prop up individuals inside Zimbabwe.
This article is typically loaded propaganda, as is the 'photograph' that goes with it.
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