(NEWZIMBABWE) 'Undesirable' Kasukuwere held in Germany
16/11/2013 00:00:00
by Staff Reporter
ENVIRONMENT minister Saviour Kasukuwere was detained Saturday morning at Munich International Airport in Germany after arriving on a flight from South Africa.
Kasukuwere said he was held for three hours after arriving in Germany on his way to Poland to attend the United Nations Framework on Climate Change Convention.
Narrating his ordeal to the Sunday Mail, Kasukuwere said: “Problems started when I landed at Munich International Airport around 6am (on Saturday).
“As we were walking from the arrival terminal, police details and security agents appeared as if they were carrying their usual airport checks but as soon as they got hold of my passport, they all swooped on me.
“They stopped searching all the other people and I suddenly became the centre of attraction as they escorted me to a police post within the airport and they detained me in a small room for two and half hours.
“As soon as we got into this room, they took away my passport and gave me some document saying I was supposed to be subjected to some security checks. The police details consulted with higher authorities and shuttled from one office to the other.
“I asked them what was the problem and they told me that their security system had alerted them that an undesirable element was about to enter into their country.
“They searched me and checked all my details and after a while, they left me to sit alone in this tiny room not knowing what was going on.
“It was quite some experience but I wasn’t surprised. I then spoke to the Germany Ambassador in Zimbabwe who made frantic efforts to call these police details to no avail. I sat in this tiny room on some bench and all I could do was just to read my prayer book.
“After about two and half hours of uncertainty, one of the police officials just came in and handed me my passport. He then hurriedly left and I was really taken aback by this treatment.
“I think this had something to do with the illegal sanctions but no one mentioned this to me. This was quite some experience.
Kasukuwere said he was only released just before 9am.
“After I had been released, the Germany Ambassador to Zimbabwe contacted me and he was very apologetic about the whole ordeal. He gave me assurance that this would never happen again.”
The European Union (EU), of which Germany is a leading member, imposed sanctions against Zimbabwe which include travel bans against Zanu PF and top government officials.
The sanctions were suspended ahead of the July 31 polls, in a move the EU hoped would encourage the government to hold credible elections.
However, the EU has backed opposition claims that the vote, won with a landslide by President Robert Mugabe and his Zanu PF party, was fraudulent.
Labels: GERMANY, SANCTIONS, SAVIOUR KASUKUWERE
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Zambia also keeping a close eye on Germany - Chikwanda
By Henry Sinyangwe
Fri 24 May 2013, 14:01 CAT
FINANCE minister Alexander Chikwanda says the government is keeping a close eye on Germany just as that country is doing on Zambia following local opposition political parties' reports of infringement on their rights.
And Germany's federal minister for Economic Cooperation and Development Dirk Niebiel says the opposition and the ruling party need the same rights to address their political points to the people in the country.
Chikwanda was responding to a question from a German reporter, who said the delegation earlier met leaders of opposition parties who complained of government's infringement on their right and freedom.
But Chikwanda cautioned Germany that Zambia was also keeping an eye on them.
He said Zambia was one of the most civilised countries contrary to reports by the opposition political parties that the government was infringing on their rights.
"Much as you are keeping an eye on us, we also keep an eye on you and we don't take kindly when you begin beating foreigners on account of race, so we shall keep an eye on each other. You will never find xenophobia. If we carry a litmus test, you will find that we are more civilised," he said. "Go and tell the Germans that you went to the most civilised country, where you don't find xenophobia."
Chikwanda said the government was committed to upholding the rights of all citizens but stressed the need for all Zambians to act responsibly.
"This country is committed to maintaining the rights of all the citizens. The opposition parties can't function in a more agreeable environment. It's a question of both of us being responsible. It's their right to lobby, but in Zambia, there is a mechanism for freedom not because it's a move for us getting aid but we want to pass on this legacy to posterity. There is civilisation in Zambia, unlike in your region where colour is an issue. We are a much civilised country, and nobody is beaten here for being a foreigner like they are beaten in many countries including your own. We believe in freedom, not for purposes of getting aid but because we believe its right for ourselves and even those of us who are in government, one day we will be in the opposition," he said.
And Chikwanda said the country was targeting double-digit growth to enable it to lift Zambians out of poverty.
"At the moment, government has taken the decision to remove subsidies, which is a very risky decision politically, but we hope that responsible opposition parties will support government to try and get Zambia's economy streamlined and entrench fiscal responsibility. We are working hard to try and grow Zambia at higher rates than the six, seven per cent we have talked about to double digit, about 10, 11 per cent and make an impact on poverty reduction," said Chikwanda.
Niebel urged Zambia to put in place measures that would enable it to get better contracts to reap more benefits from the mining sector.
"Underlined principles of not only taking care of human rights, but also rights for minorities, opposition party rights…and it is very important to find a way to use the mining sector for financing your own budget than you can do at the moment and we could give a helpful hand to have better contracts in the future for more income, revenues for your country to invest in your country," said Niebel.
Labels: ALEXANDER CHIKWANDA, COLOUR REVOLUTIONS, EU, GERMANY
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German minister in Mujuru talks
03/12/2012 00:00:00
by Staff Reporter
GERMANY’S Development Minister has met Vice President Joice Mujuru during a visit to Zimbabwe in an apparent climb-down after earlier signalling that he would skirt a meeting with President Robert Mugabe and his senior aides.
Dirk Niebel, who arrived in Zimbabwe last Saturday, said he planned to use his four-day visit to encourage what he described as "democratic forces" in the country, adding: “I consciously did not schedule a meeting with Mugabe, because such a meeting could be exploited.”
But on Monday, Niebel met Mugabe’s number two during which he said the European country was “committed to restoring relations with Zimbabwe” which have been frosty for over a decade.
Niebel is the first member of the German cabinet to visit Zimbabwe since then-Defence Minister Volker Rühe did so in 1997.
The European Union, Germany included, imposed sanctions on Zimbabwe in 2002 in the wake of violent land seizures from white farmers and elections which were criticised as flawed.
The sanctions have led to Mugabe’s isolation, but critics of the measures say they also took away Europe’s ability to influence events in Zimbabwe.
With key elections set to be held in 2013, Niebel’s meeting with Mujuru appeared in part aimed at establishing a line of communication to Mugabe and secure a role for Germany in the elections.
Niebel told the ZBC after the meeting at Mujuru’s Munhumutapa office he had submitted “proposals... as we want to be part of the international observers”.
“We briefed her, and she said consultations will be underway. We would want the elections in Zimbabwe to be conducted in a peaceful manner,” said Niebel.
President Mugabe has previously insisted that Zimbabwean elections can only be monitored by African countries. Despite demands by rivals, his Zanu PF party is unlikely to shift from this position.
Niebel is expected to meet with Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai and right groups before the end of his visit.
Labels: DIRK NIEBEL, GERMANY, JOICE MUJURU, ROBERT MUGABE, ZANU-PF
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German Chancellor's envoy visits Zambia
By Chibaula Silwamba
Fri 14 Oct. 2011, 13:58 CAT
THE German Chancellor's personal representative for Africa yesterday arrived in the country for a three-day visit. Guenter Nooke was yesterday expected to meet President Michael Sata and would today meet finance minister Alexander Chikwanda.
"The purpose of Mr. Nooke's visit is to convey a congratulatory message of Federal Chancellor Angela Merkel to President Michael Sata on his election and to get to know the principal political objectives of the new government.
Mr. Nooke will attend the Opening Session of Parliament tomorrow (today)," according to a statement from the Germany Embassy issued yesterday.
"On Friday (today) afternoon, there will be discussions of Mr Nooke with representatives of Civil Society Organisations on topics like the management of natural mineral resources, the African Peer Review Mechanism and the political perspectives for Zambia after the elections."
Prior to his appointment as personal representative for Africa in the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development, Nooke served as Federal government Commissioner for Human Rights Policy and Humanitarian aid at the Federal Foreign Office, deputy chair of the Deutsche Welle broadcasting board, member of the Bundestag and member of the Brandenburg Landtag (regional parliament) and member of the Volkskammer (first democratically elected parliament) among several positions.
Labels: AMBASSADOR, ANGELA MERKEL, GERMANY, MICHAEL SATA
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Nama-Herero skulls receive heroic welcome
Wednesday, 05 October 2011 00:00
WINDHOEK. - Thousands of Namibia's ethnic Hereros and Namas gave an heroic welcome yesterday to 20 skulls of their ancestors returned from Germany, where colonial authorities had taken them a century ago.
About 4 000 people stood on the tarmac at the capital Windhoek's international airport, where the plane carrying them home landed at sunrise to ululating women and men shouting battle cries amid banners reading "welcome to our ancestors, our heroes".
At the far end of the runway, two caskets covered with the Namibian flag were taken out of the plane by officers of the Namibia Defence Force, flanked by an honour guard and accompanied by a trumpet salute.
As the caskets were loaded into a military vehicle, a small group of Herero men drew closer, calling to their ancestors and welcoming them home.
"Our people cry tears as our grandmothers and grandfathers are back on their home soil," said Herero chief Kuiama Riruako.
Riruako was part of the 60-member Namibian delegation that flew to Germany at the end of September to receive the skulls at the Charite University hospital in Berlin.
Namibian Prime Minister Nahas Angula and several cabinet ministers welcomed the return of the skulls.
"These mortal remains are testimony to horrors of colonialism and Germany's cruelty against our people," Angula said. "The Namibian nation accepts these mortal remains as a symbolic closure of a tragic chapter."
Lutheran Bishop Zephaniah Kameeta who was part of the delegation said during the sermon at a church service before departing for Germany, "Our journey to Germany to repatriate our ancestors is a divine mission. They were forcefully removed in an undignified way."
Namibia's former ambassador to Germany, Peter Katjavivi, said the "repatriation of the skulls is an essential component of regaining our past, and consequentially our dignity."
For Festus Muundjua, a respected Herero historian, the skulls' return is "part of the decolonisation process of Namibia."
"We can only forgive and reconcile if we sit down and talk to each other, but the German side is not prepared to talk," he said.
Ida Hoffman, a Nama-speaker and former parliamentarian, said the return of eventually all the skulls does not close this sad chapter.
"There must be reparation as a matter of justice," she said. However, Germany has ruled out reparation.
For many, the journey to Germany will have deep personal significance. One of the Nama chiefs, David Frederick, hopes to find out if the skull of his great-grandfather, chief Cornelius Frederick is there, Hoffman said.
"Like the Nama-chief, many of us are looking for information about ancestral family members," Hoffmann told AFP.
The skulls are among an estimated 300 taken to Germany after a slaughter of indigenous Namibians during an anti-colonial uprising in what was then called South West Africa, which Berlin ruled from 1884 to 1915.
Incensed by German settlers stealing their land, cattle and women, the Herero people launched a revolt in January 1904 with warriors butchering 123 German civilians over several days. The Nama tribe joined the uprising in 1905. The colonial rulers responded ruthlessly and General Lothar von Trotha signed a notorious extermination order against the Hereros.
Rounded up in prison camps, captured Namas and Hereros died from malnutrition and severe weather.
Dozens were beheaded after their death and their skulls sent to German researchers in Berlin for "scientific" experiments.
Up to 80 000 Hereros lived in Namibia when the uprising began. Afterwards, only 15 000 were left. - AFP/ timeslive.co.za.
Labels: GENOCIDE, GERMANY, NAMA, NAMIBIA
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Germany envoy urges transparency in elections
By Lenganji Sikapizye
Sun 27 Mar. 2011, 04:01 CAT
THERE is need for this year’s elections to be held under maximum measures of transparency that will build confidence among all political players, says Germany Ambassador to Zambia Frank Meyke.
In an interview on Friday, Ambassador Meyke said the most convincing aspect of this year’s elections will be them being peaceful, successful, free and fair. Ambassador Meyke said this year's polls provided an opportunity for Zambia to convey its image as a stable democracy which implements peaceful and free elections.
“The image that the will of the people prevails in these elections is the most important for foreign investors to gain confidence,” Ambassador Meyke said.
He said the German government and other countries in the European Union would send election observers to Zambia.
Earlier, during the handover of ablution blocks and the rehabilitated water system at Greenhill Orphanage Community School in Lusaka's Chamba Valley area, Ambassador Meyke said the future of Zambia as a successful country depended on well educated people.
“On the foundation of a healthy and well educated population, Zambia will be able to significantly reduce poverty and to become an economically successful country,” said Ambassador Meyke.
And Greenhill Community School director Steriah Tembo bemoaned the poor infrastructure at the institution and called for more help from well-wishers.
Labels: 2011 ELECTIONS, AMBASSADOR, GERMANY
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Germany to call for end to sanctions
Friday, 18 March 2011 23:43
Herald Correspondent
Germany's director-general of African Affairs, Ambassador Walter Lindner, has said his country will push for an end to the illegal sanctions on Zimbabwe once there is a roadmap to free and fair elections.
He said this during a meeting with Tourism and Hospitality Industry Minister Walter Mzembi on Monday in Berlin. Minister Mzembi was in Germany for the ITB Berlin, Europe's leading Tourism and Travel Expo.
Ambassador Lindner had just returned from a visit to Zimbabwe.
The two discussed a number of issues including Ambassador Lindner's impressions of Zimbabwe.
He said he had found the situation rather polarised but noted that this was unavoidable as the country, currently under a coalition Government, was getting into an election mood.
On sanctions, Ambassador Lindner said his government's desire to have the European Union sanctions on Zimbabwe lifted.
However, he said Germany would push once there was a clear roadmap to free and fair elections.
In response Minister Mzembi expressed gratitude for Germany's increasingly constructive stance of the issue of sanctions.
Recently, Germany's Ambassador to Zimbabwe, Dr Albrecht Conze, said the EU was divided on the legality of the widely-discredited sanctions.
Minister Mzembi strongly urged Germany to dissociate itself from the sanctions without setting any preconditions as this was the only beneficial route for ordinary Zimbabweans.
Labels: EU, GERMANY, SANCTIONS, ZDERA
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COMMENT - The germans are just afraid that land reform will spread to Namibia.
Germans fume over farm seizures
by Deutsche Presse Agentur
17/06/2010 00:00:00
THE German embassy in Zimbabwe has objected to settlers occupying three farms owned by a German national in the country, warning in a letter released on Thursday that the actions violate bilateral and international agreements.
"Once again, the German embassy notes with great concern that property rights of German nationals and their investments in Zimbabwe are being put under threat, in clear violation of international law," the letter read.
It went on to say that Germany's contribution to a trust fund set up for Zimbabwe may be in jeopardy, as news of land invasions affecting its citizens would make German parliamentary approval of the funds "highly unlikely."
Zimbabwean authorities must "take the necessary steps to ensure an immediate end of all threats to the ... German investments," it added.
Zimbabwean Foreign Minister Simbarashe Mumbengegwi confirmed that he had received the letter, but declined to comment.
"(The letter) was addressed to me and not to the media," he said. "Protocol issues are not discussed through the media."
Over the last decade, most of the farms owned by whites in Zimbabwe have been occupied and seized under President Robert Mugabe's land reform programme. - dpa
Labels: GERMANY, LAND REFORM, NAMIBIA
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Germany gives Zambia 76.2 million euros
By KANGWA MULENGA
GERMANY has given Zambia 76.2 million euros as grant for the next three years. Zambia will receive an additional eight million euros grant from the German and Netherlands governments for support towards the education sector.
And Secretary to the Treasury Likolo Ndalamei has commended the German government for the grants that would go towards good governance, decentralisation, poverty reduction and water and sanitation sectors.
“I can assure you that these funds will only be used to achieve the objectives in the areas of cooperation that we have agreed upon. Above all, I would like to assure you that the funds will be utilised in a transparent and accountable manner as we are aware that they come from tax payers in Germany,” Mr Ndalamei said.
He was speaking in Lusaka yesterday at a signing ceremony held at the Ministry of Finance and National Planning following the conclusion of negotiations with a delegation from Germany.
Mr Ndalamei said the water sector would receive 32 million euros, good governance 5.2 million euros, poverty reduction 30 million euros while one million euros would go towards the decentralisation policy.
He said Government would use the eight million euros the education sector would receive from the two governments to develop human capital, which he said was important towards the attainment of the Vision 2030.
Head of delegation from the Ministry of Economic Cooperation and Development for Southern Africa, Ingolf Dietrich said Germany would continue supporting Zambia’s development.
“We are glad with the manner we concluded the negotiation. I must say I was impressed with the aid effectiveness Zambia has embarked on and with the explanations we got from the Zambian delegation,” Dr Dietrich said.
He commended Government for the manner it was accounting for development funds from the German government.
Dr Dietrich has pledged continued support to Zambia.
He said the despite the global economic crisis, Zambia still had potential in the mining sector.
Dr Dietrich also said it was not easy for the German government to give Zambia grants in the face of the global economic crisis.
Labels: EDUCATION, GERMANY, GRANTS
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