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Zimbabwe has potential to recover, says Soumare

Zimbabwe has potential to recover, says Soumare
By Mutuna Chanda
Thursday May 08, 2008 [04:00]

ZIMBABWE has the potential and capacity to recover from the difficulties it is experiencing, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) deputy regional director for Africa Moustapha Soumare has said. In an interview on the sidelines of the Great Lakes Region meeting on democracy and good governance in Lusaka, Soumare said Zimbabwe's recovery depends on agreement from all the parties in the country to move forward.

"The UN in Zimbabwe is working hard in coming up with a recovery strategy," Soumare said. "In this situation, we are there to support the country. The UN and other partners are following very well the situation there and it has to walk with the people on whatever solutions they come up with."

He said the UNDP was aware of the different trouble spots in Africa and that it was working with respective governments to try and find solutions.
"Our role is that of brokering to help governments find their ways in solving their particular problems," Soumare said. "We don't have any magic solutions to the problems that countries are facing."

However, he expressed confidence that Africa would be one of the most democratic regions in the world given the happenings on the continent.

"There's a rising consciousness that Africa needs to find its own strategy for development," Soumare said. "Today than ever before many countries have gone through democratic processes of elections.

It's not perfect but most of the instances that we are going through are what Europe went through. So the problems that Africa is going through are kind of hindrances that you find on the road. That is why we in the UNDP are interested in building capacities for strong democracies."

He said elections were not the only indicators of democracy but were part of the process.
"Elections per se are not the only reflections of democracy," said Soumare. "They are important steps in democracy but democracy must be looked at in terms of opening up dialogue with governments, the media and civil society among other actors."

Labels: UNDP, ZIMBABWE

posted by MrK @ 12:45 PM