Maravi

LETTERS - MDC

COMMENT - This is one of the many reaons I do not like the MDC. The sheer sense of entitlement, the sense that they can declare to be their enemy, anyone who does not do exactly what they want, is galling. Did they learn these attitudes from their backers?

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Levy must resign as SADC chair
By Dr Daniel Maswahu, London, UK

It's sad that President Mwanawasa turned down Morgan Tsvangirai's request to mediate in the Zimbabwe fiasco. It was even more sad for your editorial to claim that Zimbabwe's challenges should be sorted out by Zimbabweans themselves.

The basic Christian tenet of ‘my brother's keeper’ has been abandoned by a nation that has been foaming at the mouth to be called a Christian nation. Shame on us!

If Mwanawasa's current role as SADC chairman was of adequate magnitude and delivery, I do not think that Morgan Tsvangirai would have even contemplated asking Levy to intervene. We all know that Mbeki's role in the catastrophe that is in Zimbabwe at the very least fits the description of ‘quiet and fatal denial’.

By refusing to accept Morgan's request (which is ultimately the request of the people of Zimbabwe), Mwanawasa has yet again very eloquently demonstrated how unfit he is to continue as SADC chairman and as a regional and national leader.

Levy Mwanawasa should have, the very minute he turned down Morgan and the plight of the Zimbabwean people, resigned as SADC chairman as a matter of principle.

As long as southern Africa is encumbered with leaders who think it is their God-given right to enjoy certain benefits without delivering to the ordinary citizens, the entire region is on a one way ticket to starvation and regional economic catastrophe that will make biblical plagues desirable in comparison. To turn Morgan and the people of Zimbabwe away in the manner that Levy did is unfortunate.

The time has long past for true-hearted Zambians and southern Africans to reject this level of leadership.
Nkosi sikelele Africa.




http://www.postzambia.com/post-read_article.php?articleId=40629

Calling for SADC chairman's resignation
By Victor Chitoshi Chikafya,Kitwe
Tuesday April 22, 2008 [04:00]

I make reference to the letter entitled “Levy must resign as SADC chair” by Dr Daniel Maswahu.

In all fairness, the call on President Mwanawasa to resign is misplaced.

As SADC chair, he did his best to call for the summit in order to approach the issue from a regional perspective.

As Zambians, we should be proud that our leader made this effort.
The issue at hand is very delicate and needs collective approach to resolve.

There is no way Levy can impose himself as mediator without the consent of other regional leaders. How sure is Dr Maswahu that the political parties at loggerheads in Zimbabwe will overwhelmingly accept him as mediator?

If anything, Levy is on record as the only African leader to have come out boldly on the Zimbabwean situation before it even came to this stage. It’s not fair to attack our leaders even when they are doing the right things.

It’s very true that the situation in Zimbabwe is getting desperate and the so-called “quiet diplomacy” is getting us nowhere. Perhaps all our regional leaders need to strongly voice their displeasure at what is happening.

It is quite disheartening that Africa is still going through such things in this era. Fighting change has always been a futile effort. But no matter how long it takes, change will definitely come.
May the God of Heaven deliver Zimbabwe.



http://www.postzambia.com/post-read_article.php?articleId=40630

Zim destined weapons
By Concerned Zambian
Tuesday April 22, 2008 [04:00]

I write to you on the issue of Zimbabwe and how Zambia might pose a threat to the innocent Zimbabwean people. The current status of Zimbabwe is known to all of us. Recently a ship carrying weapons destined for Zimbabwe was denied clearance at the port of Durban, South Africa. It has been harbouring on this port for some time. After the workers refused to unload it, the crew now went for an alternative of trying one of the ports on Angola's borders.

From the President of South Africa's words, it seems he took less care as to what these weapons were meant for, especially considering what Zimbabwe is going through. As much as you do not need to interfere in the trade that the two countries have, there is need for common sense at times.

But my concern now is, since this ship is heading for Angola, and assuming that it’s cleared this time, what is our position as Zambians? Are we going ahead to allow the transit of these weapons through our country to Zimbabwe?

And if it is allowed transit, we will be guilty for the consequences these weapons might cause on our poor brothers and sisters, who as I understand are not criminals but seeking good governance and survival. Let's not allow history to repeat itself. Innocent deaths for greediness of power cannot be tolerated this time.


http://www.postzambia.com/post-read_article.php?articleId=40631

Appeal to President Mwanawasa
By Brighton Mutebuka
Tuesday April 22, 2008 [04:00]

I am a Zimbabwean lawyer based in the UK. I am deeply troubled by the current political crisis in my country, and the behaviour of South African President Thabo Mbeki who I feel greatly compromised President Mwanawasa and other SADC leaders’ capacity to make any meaningful resolution during the summit in Lusaka.

I am writing this letter to you because I am hoping that the esteemed President, who is the current Chairman of SADC can come across my letter, and feel moved to take a much tougher stance against Robert Mugabe's renegade regime.

As we speak, hundreds of people are being tortured, maimed, raped and killed simply for exercising their right to chose a leader of their choice, which Mugabe claims he fought for.

For a considerable time now, Mugabe has been peddling lies to the world, stating that the current problems in Zimbabwe, which President Mwanawasa has equated with a sinking Titanic, are as a result of a bilateral dispute with Britain when the sole problem has been Mugabe's poor governance and tyranny - oppressing his own people.

If SADC folds its arms, it will give credence to the view that African leaders are not capable of solving their own problems, and it will gravely compromise the credibility of Africa's democratic systems and their capacity to bring about peaceful change of leaders.

This is an opportunity President Mwanawasa should not miss.
I hope a better future awaits my country Zimbabwe.


COMMENT

As we speak, hundreds of people are being tortured, maimed, raped and killed simply for exercising their right to chose a leader of their choice, which Mugabe claims he fought for.

So 'we have to go in', to... create more torture, maiming, rape and killing, like in Iraq?

Remember that the great justficiation for colonialism has frequently been claims of misrule by the locals. The British invaded India to save it from chaos and despotism. The Americans invaded Iraq to save it from dictatorship and 'bring democracy'. But when looking at the cold hard facts, it is what it is, the illegal invasion of a sovereign country.

And Tendai Biti can belittle the concept of sovereignty all he wants to, but that doesn't change international law. In fact, belittling national sovereignty the way George Bush belittled the US constitution, is the hallmark of a criminal.

For a considerable time now, Mugabe has been peddling lies to the world, stating that the current problems in Zimbabwe, which President Mwanawasa has equated with a sinking Titanic, are as a result of a bilateral dispute with Britain when the sole problem has been Mugabe's poor governance and tyranny - oppressing his own people.

So sanctions are merely for show? The Zimbabwe Democracy and Economic Recovery Act of 2001 doesn't exist and is a figment of the world's imagination? Oh wait, these aren't sanctions at all. I forgot.

The MDC is so transparent. All they have done is find a new way of making it into State House.

Labels: MDC

posted by MrK @ 4:42 AM