Zimbabwe: Heads of Civil Society Coalitions – Statement of concern on the deteriorating human rights situation in Zimbabwe (20.08.2020)

Opinion: Mnangagwa’s unrepentant stance towards the bishops…

Going forward, we remain committed to working well with the church to advance the national development agenda, as a united people. However it is most unfortunate when men of the cloth begin to use the pulpit to advance a nefarious agenda for detractors of our country. Those who want to enter the political realm are welcome to do so. They must come out and form political parties” – President Emmerson Mnangagwa to Politburo (19.08.2020).

On the 14th August 2020, the Catholic Bishops Conference wrote a Pastoral Letter called ‘The March Not Ended’. The ruling regime have gone hostile to the message in it and the intention of the clergy doing so. They are offended, that the leadership of the Catholic church in the Republic would write such a letter.

However, even as the ZANU-PF have attacked the writings and called it even “genocidal”. The other churches, lawyers and CSOs have come in the defence of the letter. As a sign of solidarity as the Catholic Bishops are singled out for their outcry.

We are seeing that the President is relentless, unforgiving and not willing to listen to pleas from the Men of God. The President doesn’t want to see their perspective or understanding, as these men and their grievances are real. They are living in it day-to-day and are seeing what is happening to their parishioners.

This message from the President is condescending too. The voices of the clergy, the bishops only matter if they joins a party. Is he kidding me? The voice of the army was fine and dandy, as long as it brought you back from temporary exile?

If politics and the state matters for everyone. Everyone should be allowed to discuss and call out their grievances. That should be simple, even for the blurred mind of the President. He only wants the voices that is in favour of his game-plan and his reign. Not the ones of dissent. That is obvious too. That is why the abductions, arrests and court challenges to everyone daring to offend the don aka His Excellency.

The bishops dared to speak out. Now they are told to join a party. That is insane, they just want the best for their members and their believers. They want the best society for the ones of faith. That is not bananas, but a basic. The regime should want this too, but they rather go into the trenches and shoot. Than actually understand why ‘The March Not Ended’.

Because, if the President and his allies had understood or grasped the deep depression of the pastoral letter. They had maybe addressed it differently, however, these folks doesn’t care. As long as they have the authority and rules supreme.

Mnangagwa will not go for a confession soon, neither would he repent either. However, it would be refreshing if he used his two ears and listen for ones. If he did listen to someone for once. He might understand the pain and suffering his putting people through. Alas, he wants to live lavish, while the public suffers. That is his game and plays it like a professional. Peace.

Mali: The Coup d’état… has created a temporary National Committee for the Salvation of the People (CNSP)

The ones behind the coup d’état yesterday in Bamako, Mali. Have ensured that the unpopular President Keita resigned from his office. The Cabinet have been dissolved and so have the Parliament. The junta, the new regime has created a temporary “Council” or leadership structure, which they have coined the National Committee for the Salvation of the People (CNSP).

This is being led by the young colonel Malik Diaw. Surely, the other commanders behind the coup is there. This being General Cheick Fanta Mady Dembélé, and Colonel Mama Sekou Lelenta. That is all natural in the circumstances.

The other orders from the body created by the junta is that borders are closed indefinitely and there is put in a curfew for movement.

Colonel Major Ismael Wagué to the media today stated that the Republic would be lost if it wasn’t for the Coup. It would become further chaos if they didn’t step in and they decided to “straighten the country”.

Adama Ben Diarra aka Camarade Ben Le Cerveau one of the young leaders of the M5-RFP was seen with Col. Diaw after his release on the 10th August 2020. This has started speculation, if there is a connection between the junta and the protest movement of M5-RFP. However, that is yet to be verified.

We can hope the M5-RFP get a say and other civil society organization. Especially with the promise of an election, which directly means a civil government. Not just another junta. The junta have gotten rid of corrupt, greedy and incompetent government. However, they have to configure the ways out of this.

To rename themselves CNSP and pump out slogans and positive messages isn’t enough. They need to enhance structures and secure policies ahead. Also, needs to have dialogue with stakeholders and interest groups. To ensure they are on the right path ahead.

This will be interesting ahead. As the United Nations Security Council will have closed session on it. Most likely because France is afraid of loosing power and influence in Bamako. We just got to see. Peace.

Mali: International condemnation of the coup d’état…

Just as scheduled the African Union, ECOWAS and by all means the government itself. The coup d’état been cheered on the streets of Bamako. While the government officials are arrested and the ones running it is taking control of the republic.

These statements speak for themselves. Just read them and see how these international and regional bodies are reacting to the coup d’état. It is really showing their true colours.

Mali Government Statement before arrests:

The Government of the Republic of Mali has been following with great attention the events which have been taking place since this morning in our country, particularly at the level of two military camps in the city of Bamako. The mood swings observed reflect a certain frustration which may have legitimate causes. The Government of Mali calls on the perpetrators of these acts to pull themselves together. There are no reasons above our dear Mali that are worth acts whose uncertain outcome can lead to acts harmful to the entire Nation. The Government calls for reason and a patriotic sense and asks for the arms to be silenced. There is no problem the solution of which cannot be found in dialogue. The Government calls for appeasement and makes itself available from the moment of this press release to engage in fraternal dialogue in order to dispel any misunderstandings” (Dr Boubou Cissé, Primature du Mali, 18.08.2020).

ECOWAS Statement:

The main opposition group, M5, he said, continued to insist on the resignation of President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita, a position not acceptable to ECOWAS, which insisted only on democratic process in change of power within its jurisdiction. “We told them that no international organization, including the African Union (AU), United Nations (UN), and others, would agree with their position. We continued to emphasize the need for dialogue,” former President Jonathan stressed” (ECOWAS, 18.08.2020).

African Union Statement:

18 August 2020, Addis Ababa: The Chairperson of the African Union Commission Moussa Faki Mahamat strongly condemns the forced detention of President of Mali Ibrahim Boubacar Keita, the Prime Minister and other members Malian government and calls for their immediate release.

The Chairperson strongly rejects any attempt at the unconstitutional change of government in Mali and calls on the mutineers to cease all recourse to violence, and calls for the respect of the country’s institutions” (African Union, 18.08.2020).

We could really expect the statement from the Prime Minister Cisse he don’t want to loose his job and his appointment. That was to be anticipated. Who would think a man with the guns aimed at him would ask for them to silence them.

What ECOWAS says is very clear, but they are accepting that a President overstays and not resigning after public demand. The ECOWAS is supporting a President over the will of the people. That says a lot.

Also, the African Union does the same. They are rather keep a puppet of France in Mali, than have someone who the people want. Both ECOWAS and AU wants a illegitimate regime in power. The AU would accept a rigged election … but not a coup d’état. Because that is tool, which only accepted if it causes stability.

Instead of understanding the grievances of the people and the reason for the cheering on of the coup d’état. It is a reason why they toppled the Mali government. They didn’t do this today … for fun, but for a reason.

Keita’s time was up. Peace.

MDC-Alliance: Zimbabwe’s Political Crisis Deserves SADC Attention (17.08.2020)

Zimbabwe: Crisis Coalition statement on the SADC Communique of the 40th Ordinary Summit of Heads of State and Government (17.08.2020)

Evangelical Fellowship of Zimbabwe: Solidarity Statement with the Zimbabwe Catholic Bishops Conference’s Pastoral Letter on the Current Situation in Zimbabwe of 14 August 2020 (17.08.2020)

Zimbabwe Council of Churches: Echoing “The March is not ended” (16.08.2020)

Zimbabwe: ZLHR Condemns Vilification of Catholic Bishops (16.08.2020)

ZimRights: In Solidarity with the Zimbabwe Catholic Bishops Conference “The March is not Ended” (16.08.2020)