News and press releases

"When reopening parliament usually a new government is formed and the constitution and powers of that government are the actual issues discussed at the negotiation table." Says Pascal Richard, coordinator of Zimbabwe Watch. "It is not certain yet if a new government will be formed. But the reopening of the parliament can only mean two things: either ZanuPF and Mugabe have no interest at all in the negotiations, or they, together with the South African president Mbeki, who is acting in the name of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) want to force Morgan Tsvangirai to sign a deal which does not give him any executive power."

Zimbabwe Watch and Europe External Policy Advisors EEPA published an overview of the positions and recommendations by Zimbabwean Civil Society Organisations on the ongoing negotiations between ZanuPF and the two formations of the MDC.

While the world watches as Robert Mugabe and Morgan Tsvangirai discuss power sharing in Zimbabwe, millions of Zimbabweans wait for humanitarian aid and a stop to political violence.

According to Elinor Sisulu from the ‘Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition’, a coalition of 350 NGO’s in Zimbabwe “It seems that we are going to have a deal for the politicians and not for ordinary people. I am suspicious of these hole in the corner discussions that exclude the millions whose lives will be profoundly impacted on by the decisions made. The situation on the ground has not improved and our offices continue to be raided and Crisis officials harassed by the police. Humanitarian aid to many areas of the country is still blocked. Our skepticism will remain until the situation on the ground changes.”

Zimbabwe Watch welcomes the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between Zimbabwe African National Union Zanu PF and the two formations of the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) on July 21st. Zimbabwe Watch calls on Zanu PF to undertake immediate actions to halt the human rights abuses and allow humanitarian and other organisations to operate freely. The spirit of this memorandum must be translated into practice.

Press Release written in Dutch