Maravi

(TALKZIMBABWE) Pro-Government vs anti-Government propaganda

Pro-Government vs anti-Government propaganda
James Nyarambi – Opinion
Thu, 20 Nov 2008 13:41:00 +0000

DEAR EDITOR – I have been following many sentiments posted on this website and should commend you for being bold enough to publish pro-Zimbabwean articles when everybody else seems to be joining the bandwagon and not finding anything good about the country they come from.

I go to many websites and it seems fashionable to criticise the Government without proffering any solutions to the current crisis. The depth of understanding about issues bedevilling Zimbabwe also seems to be lacking among many critics who think that all problems in Zimbabwe start and end with Zanu PF.

The crisis in Zimbabwe is multi-faceted and any clear thinking Zimbabwean, who cares to find out about what really transpired to get us where we are will tell you that the situation in the country is much more complex than it is made out to be.

Zimbabwe has a chequered history and many of those people fighting for democracy today did not raise an eyebrow when it was Ian Smith who thwarted Blacks’ human rights.

Many of the people in the current leadership of the opposition and civil service served under Ian Smith and never spoke against the violation of human rights then.

This is not to exonerate the Zanu PF government of human rights violations nor condone corrupt and other activities that have been responsible for the crises we face; but I think any type of criticism should start with a recognition of the origin of the problems and what fans them.

I was shocked to hear that Kofi Annan and a few other individuals would like to come to Zimbabwe to assess the “humanitarian crisis” there, especially at a time when a worse crisis is taking place in the Congo. Besides, as secretary-general of the United Nations, a position more powerful than the one he currently holds, Kofi Annan did not express the same kind of interest in Zimbabwe.

His record on the African continent speaks for itself

There are elements who would like to get credit for the resolution of the Zimbabwean crisis now that the unity deal seems imminent despite all the obstacles, and unfortunately Kofi Annan seems to be one of them. The group of so-called Elders were selected by some dubious process that Zimbabwe was never involved in. Why should Zimbabwe be involved with that group? What is that group’s mandate?

The current problems we are facing as a nation are important in helping shape a future Zimbabwe. Both Zanu PF and MDC have learnt some serious lessons which will inform politics in the future.

Just as a word of caution, let me say that although you have been aiming to tell the Zimbabwean story from all sides, you seem to have, lately, been publishing only pro-Government articles. It would be ideal to present both sides and let the readers make their own decisions.

Thanks for affording me the opportunity to make a small contribution.

James Nyarambi – Opinion
New Zealand

Labels: KOFI ANNAN, PROPAGANDA

posted by MrK @ 11:46 AM