Zuma to be tested on Zimbabwe

Zuma to be tested on Zimbabwe
Written by Kingsley Kaswende in Harare
Friday, May 29, 2009 4:56:01 PM

NEW South African president Jacob Zuma’s foreign policy on Zimbabwe is soon likely to be tested with his handling of the stalemate between ZANU-PF and MDC over central bank governor Gideon Gono, which threatens the stability of the unity government.

The central bank governor, along with Attorney General (AG) Johannes Tomana, has been subject of a confrontation between the two major partners to the inclusive government in Zimbabwe and threatens the smooth operations of the unity government.

On Monday President Mugabe insisted that Gono would not leave, and that he was just a victim of hatred for keeping the economy running in the face of sanctions.

Following President Mugabe’s statements, the MDC issued a statement on Wednesday saying the issue had now become a clear stalemate and will now be handled by SADC, whose new chair is President Zuma.

“The statement by (President Mugabe) that Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe governor Gideon Gono is not going anywhere confirms that there is a deadlock over the central bank chief and the Attorney-General, Johannes Tomana...It is the MDC’s conviction that this deadlock over the AG and Central Bank governor is ripe and ready a matter for SADC and the AU to play the role of the umpire. We call upon SADC and the AU, as the guarantors of the global political agreement, to adjudicate over this issue as a matter of urgency because it shakes the foundation and threatens the health, stability and life of the inclusive government,” the MDC stated.

The National Constitution Assembly (NCA), a coalition of 42 non-governmental organisations, said it would be interested in seeing how President Zuma would handle the issue.

“We are waiting to see the difference between Zuma and (former president Thabo) Mbeki. It will be interesting to see how Zuma’s foreign policy will be on Zimbabwe,” said NCA executive director Dr Lovemore Madhuku.

The MDC insists that Gono must leave, as he was at the epicenter of the erosion and corrosion of the integrity of the central bank and that his re-appointment to the helm of the bank must have reflected the input of all three partners to the inclusive government, pursuant to the political agreement of September 15, 2008.

ZANU-PF, on the other hand, insists that Gono, whose first five-year term had ended in November last year, was re-appointed in line with the law.

The MDC stated that Gono had created skepticism among Zimbabweans and international partners as to whether Zimbabwe could mount a successful reconstruction programme.

“It is our understanding of the SADC communiqué was that the issue of Gono and Tomana was supposed to be handled by the inclusive government. The position of one of the principals on the issue of Gono or Tomana cannot constitute the position of the inclusive government. There are three political parties in the inclusive government and any decisions and pronouncements must reflect this new arrangement,” the statement reads.

Although various changes have been made to the central bank operations since the establishment of the unity government, the MDC feels that Gono and Tomana were still standing in the way of progress.

The central bank has since stopped all its quasi-fiscal activities such as directly funding under-performing parastatals and funding politically-linked programmes, as well as printing money at will for such activities.

“The issue is not about personalities but about principles and values; it is about creating strong national institutions that are transparent and accountable. The central bank and the Attorney-General’s office are standing between Zimbabwe and progress...The MDC further calls upon the disputed occupants of the two offices to put the country first; to put national interest ahead of personal interest. The disputed occupants must do the honourable, acceptable and expected thing and save the country,” the MDC stated.