CHIHURI REWARDS ALLEGED KILLER POLICE

HARARE – Commissioner General Augustine Chihuri has promoted Inspector Mawone, the alleged killer of a female police recruit during training in November last year, to the position of Chief Inspector.It was not possible over the weekend to ascertain the first name of Mawone, an instructor at Harare’s Morris Depot police training school.

Sources in the police force say, however, that he has also since been drafted into a team of police officers due for deployment on a United Nations peacekeeping mission in Kosovo in August.

Mawone was accused last year of viciously assaulting police recruit Pamela Mudzingwa resulting in her death. Mudzingwa was 26 years old. Those who witnessed the assault said the attack was so savage that the recruit soiled her pants before she lapsed into unconsciousness.

Mudzingwa was rushed to the Morris Depot clinic from where she was referred to Parirenyatwa Hospital. She was pronounced dead on arrival at the hospital. Mawone, who was not formally charged with murder or assault, was later “exonerated” on the basis of a postmortem report which claimed the death was caused by a low sugar level in the blood of the deceased.

Mudzingwa’s relatives insisted the postmortem was falsified to protect the police instructor. There were claims that Deputy Commissioner Barbara Mandizha ordered police details from Harare’s Homicide section not to prefer any charges against Mawone, who is said to be related to her. Mandizha is said a powerful force in the police force.

Vicious assaults on police recruits by their trainers were captured in a recent video (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W96la5p9N18) which was clandestinely short and leaked to the press by sources close to the incidents.

“Mawone’s promotion and deployment for peacekeeping duties is a reward for the ‘good job’ he is doing,” one of the police sources said.

“It is highly unlikely that one can be deployed for UN duties when the police command is not satisfied with one’s performance.” It is the ambition of all police officers in Zimbabwe’s police force to take part in the lucrative UN missions.

Those successfully deployed for such duties are paid US$130 per day for the entire one year duration of their mission. Civil servants in Zimbabwe currently earn $100 per month across the board.

Zimbabwe’s police force has conveniently used UN deployments to reward “loyal” officers. Over the past years, loyalty within the police force has been measured in terms of open support for President Robert Mugabe and Zanu-PF.

- TheZimbabweTimes

TSVANGIRAI BOOED BY ZIM EXILES

London - Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai was booed and shouted down by Zimbabwean exiles during a speech in London on Saturday when he called for them to return home to help rebuild the shattered country.

Tsvangirai told an estimated crowd of 1 000 people in Southwark Cathedral that he had one message, that "Zimbabweans must come home".

His appeal was greeted by boos and chants of "Mugabe must go", referring to 85-year-old President Robert Mugabe.

When Tsvangirai could not make himself heard above the crowd, he left the pulpit for two minutes before returning to face questions.

He added: "I did not say 'pack your bags tomorrow', I said 'you should now start thinking about coming home'."

Some exiles asked Tsvangirai what the four-month-old power-sharing government of Tsvangirai's Movement for Democratic Change and Mugabe's Zanu-PF was doing to help Zimbabweans who had been "traumatised" by violence.

He said: "If there is anyone who has been traumatised, it is me."

After answering several more questions briefly, he was ushered away by security guards amid a hail of fresh boos.

London is the latest stop on a tour which has taken him to Washington, Berlin, Stockholm and Brussels as he drums up support for the 'new' Zimbabwe - albeit one that still has Mugabe as president.

Tsvangirai and his party have been accussed of toeing the ZANU PF line by failing to exercise its power government as evidenced by the party's failure to stop the continued indiscriminate attacks on white commercial farmers, the harassment of journalists and human rights activists alike.

Farm invasions are persisting while corruption is still the order of the day.

- AFP and Simba Nembaware

Britain hails Zim progress

London - Britain pledged an extra 5m pounds (8.2 m dollars, 5.9 m euros) in aid to Zimbabwe on Monday, hailing the "great signs of progress" since a unity government took office but urging more reform.

Speaking after talks with Premier Morgan Tsvangirai - the first such meeting with a Zimbabwean leader for over two decades - Prime Minister Gordon Brown vowed more help "if the reform programme on the ground gains momentum".

The extra aid brings to 60m pounds the transitional aid to Harare this year, said Brown, whose government long opposed the regime of President Robert Mugabe in the former British colony.

"We are prepared to respond when the Zimbabwean government takes action which is in conformity with the long-term ambition," he said in a joint press conference with Tsvangirai in his Downing Street office.

"We want to see Zimbabwe prosper, we want to see the emergence of a free society and genuine democratic politics."

Genuine recovery

London is Tsvangirai's final stop on a tour of Europe and the United States to drum up support for the "new Zimbabwe”, after his agreement with Mugabe to set up a unity government four months ago.
Britain has sounded a cautious note, saying it will support the inclusive government despite its concerns about Mugabe but that it will not lift sanctions until Harare proves it is on a path to democracy.

"There are great signs of progress: a budget and economic plans are in place; schools are reopening; children are once again filling the classrooms," said Brown.

"As a result of the progress, we will increase our support to help Zimbabwe move from mere survival towards a genuine recovery.

"We are prepared to go further, in offering more transitional support, if the reform programme on the ground gains momentum. I want to see the government taking further rapid steps forward."

- SAPA

AGRICULTURE WEATHERING RECESSION STORM

GABORONE- As the world leaders continue to find means to mitigate the effects of the global recession, a recent report by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and the United Nations' Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) shows that the agricultural sector is more resilient to this crisis when compared to other industries, writes Simba Nembaware

The report however notes that if the recession continues then the sector could also be at risk. But in the mean time agribusiness leaders like Thabo Thamane of Botswana's Citizens Entrepreneurial Development Agency (CEDA) urges youths to invest in agriculture. He says this is the only viable industry buoyed by food being a daily
necessity.


The OECD-FAO Agricultural Outlook 200912018 notes that if the global economic recovery begins within two to three years then the fall in agricultural prices and in the production and consumption of farm goods would be moderate. The report adds that pressure would be eased on crisis hit consumers who have less money to spend as the the downturn lowers food prices.

Food prices have come down from the record peak of early 2008 but they remain high in many poor countries. Over the coming decade prices for all farm commodities except beef and pigmeat - even when adjusted for inflation - are unlikely to fall back to their average levels before the 2007-08 peaks.

Average crop prices are projected to be 10 - 20 percent higher in real terms (adjusted for inflation) for the next 10 years compared with the average for the period 1997-2006. Prices for vegetable oils are expected to be more than 30 percent higher. An expected economic recovery, renewed food demand growth from developing countries and the emerging biofuel markets are the key drivers underpinning agricultural commodity prices and markets over the medium term.

The report warns that episodes of extreme price volatility similar to the hike in 2008 cannot be ruled out in coming years, particularly as commodity prices have become increasingly linked to oil and energy costs and environmental experts warn of more erratic weather conditions.

Although agricultural production, consumption and trade are expected to increase in developing countries, food insecurity and hunger is a growing problem for the world’s poor. The report argues that the longer term problem is access to food rather than food availability, with poverty reduction and economic growth a big part of the solution.Agriculture growth is key for sustainable development and poverty reduction since 75 per cent of the poor in developing countries live in rural areas.

The report says in addition to more effective international aid, governments can best support domestic agricultural development through targeted policies such as infrastructure investment, establishing effective research and development systems and providing incentives for sustainable use of soil and water. It also emphasises the need for greater opening of agricultural markets and broadening economic
development beyond farming in poor rural regions.

The report comes at a time when FAO and the Division of Nuclear Techniques in Food and Agriculture International Atomic Energy Agency were leading a conference in Vienna Austria on the Sustainable Improvement of Animal Production and Health while Capetown, South Africa hosted the first ever EMRC Agribusiness forum in Africa titled: Boosting Agricultural Productivity for Economic Growth in Africa

Zimbabwe's progress on human rights 'woefully slow'

BULAWAYO - In a recent report Amnesty International said Zimbabwe's progress on human human rights is very slow with President robert Mugabe at the centre of the continued abuse of basic human ights punctuated by endless indiscriminate attacks on opposition party supporters, writes Simba Nembaware.

At the close of a six day visit to Zimbabwe where she met with senior government officilas and victims of human rights violations, the organisation's Secretary General Irene Khan said the human rights situation "in Zimbabwe is precarious, and the socio-economic conditions are desperate for the vast majority of Zimbabweans."

“Persistent and serious human rights violations, combined with the failure to introduce reform of the police, army and security forces or address impunity and the lack of clear commitment on some parts of the government are real obstacles that need to be confronted by the top leadership of Zimbabwe.”

Amnesty International said that the Global Political Agreement (GPA) -- which was signed by all main political parties and paved the way for the setting up of the Inclusive Government -- provides a framework for change, but commitment to its implementation is not consistent throughout the government.

The orgamisation noted for a change to happen President Mugabe and Prime Minister Tsvangirai need to make "public statements clearly instructing all party activists to stop harassment, intimidation, and threats against perceived political opponents, including teachers and lawyers."

Khan said as head of state, commander in chief of the armed forces and leader of the country for the last three decades, President Mugabe and those around him have a special responsibility to rise to the challenge of delivering on the GPA and particularly on the hard core human rights issues.



The report explicitly points out that "there seems to be no sense of real urgency to bring about human rights changes on the part of some government leaders. Words have not been followed by effective action.”

“No serious efforts have been made to reform the security sector. No major investigation or prosecution has been brought against those responsible for state-sponsored political violence in recent years. Some elements of ZANU-PF still see the use of violence as a legitimate tool to crush political opponents.

The assessment revealed tht human rights defenders, journalists, and lawyers continue to be intimidated, harassed, threatened, arrested and charged, while prosecutions continue against 15 political activists and human rights defenders abducted last year and against a number of Parliamentarians.

It also revealed that "the right to protest continues to be severely restricted. As recently as yesterday, a number of WOZA (Women of Zimbabwe Arise) activists were beaten by the police and seven were arrested for carrying out peaceful demonstrations."

Farm invasions persist, with violence affecting both farmers and farm workers while "four years on, most of the victims of forced evictions during Operation Murambatsvina remain without adequate housing and redress."

No 'media hangmen' for new Zim regulator

The Chair of Zimbabwe's Parliamentary select committee on the media has made a verbal stand against the inclusion of 'media hangmen' in the Zimbabwe Information Commission, saying the government will not allow the likes of Jonathan Moyo or Tafataona Mahoso to be involved.

Tongai Matutu, the urban legislator in Masvingo, told a news briefing that Moyo and Mahoso are responsible for the dire state that Zimbabwean media is in because of their records of stifling media freedom. He told journalists there would be no place for either of them on the new media regulatory board.

Moyo, who is the controversial former Minister of Information and Publicity, was the architect of the draconian Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act (AIPPA). He presided over the closure of independent newspapers such as The Daily News and The Tribune through the now defunct Media and Information Commission (MIC), which in turn was headed by Mahoso.

"We are not going to allow media hangmen to find themselves on the new commission," said Matutu.

"The likes of Moyo and Mahoso will not be considered for any post because they are responsible for the mess in which we are," he added.

But Moyo who is remembered as an abrasive wordsmith for President Robert Mugabe’s government in which he served for five years has since leaving government embarked on a public relations campaign to redeem his profile as a credible government critic and law maker. He has come out to speak sternly against the very law he engineered and the abuse of office by some ZANU PF officers such as Webster Shamu.

He however still courts controversy with many legislators and political commentators speculating that he engineered Mugabe's win in the infamous "rerun" of disputed elections last year. They have ascertions that he authors Gideon Gono's addresses to the nation while spoon feeding George Charamba, the President's spokesperson.

The High Court has already ruled that the MIC is now null and void, but in a sign that media reform is still a long way off in Zimbabwe, a group of journalists were turned away from the opening of the Comesa summit earlier this month. The four, who won a landmark case against the government on the legality of the MIC, were refused entry to the event for not having accreditation, despite the High Court order declaring the MIC illegal being granted two days before.

SW RADIO AFRICA & Simba Nembaware

ZIMBABWE: Farmers Go to War Against Lantana Camara

HARARE- Armed with picks, axes and hoes, a group of enthusiastic villagers break into song: "Randana kamara wakaipa, Randana kamara wakashata.Watora ufuro hwezvipfuyo, wauraya mombe." ("Lantana camara, you are evil. You have taken over grazing land for our livestock, you have killed our cattle.")

They lash out at their common enemy, lantana camara, an invasive exotic plant, also known as black cherry. The shrub, which can grow more than two metres tall, is threatening to take over their fields and grazing land.

Lantana camara forms a dense and impenetrable thicket that suffocates indigenous vegetation. The plant also smothers trees, impacting on local bio-diversity and reducing the amount of food available to livestock or wildlife. The shrub has heavily lined itself along the Nyahoko river, a branch of the Mazowe River, and alongside other small streams in Shamva district of Mashonaland Central province.

"We have to take action because our very life is under threat. This plant is dangerous. See how it has taken over our grazing land and how it is threatening our sources of water. See the havoc it has created on the Nyahoko banks," lamented Chief Shaw Bushu.

"Since we spotted [lantana camara] here in the late 1980s, we have lost count of the number of cattle that has died after eating its poisonous leaves and branches," he further explained.

To fight the invasive plant that is killing their livestock, villagers have organised themselves into groups that take regular turns to remove the menacing plant.

Schoolchildren, in support of their parents, sing along and pull out small lantana camara shrubs with their hands. In fact, teachers at the local primary school have started educating pupils about the dangers of what they commonly call the "monster plant".

Although official estimates of the size of arable area taken over by the black cherry plant could not be obtained, Chief Bushu said the area now covered by lantana camara was big enough to threaten the livelihoods of members of his community.

"When we first spotted it here in the 1980s, it was only a few shrubs, but now whole parts of grazing land and crop fields have been chewed up. The rivers and streams have not been spared," he explained.

Threatening biodiversity

Introduced to the country from Argentina in the early 1920s, lantana camara was widely used as perimeter hedge to protect vegetable gardens against livestock. But soon, the once favoured hedge encroached onto the very gardens it was meant to protect, while cattle that consumed the evergreen but poisonous leaves died in droves.

"I first used lantana camara to fence off my field from stray cattle and goats in 1991, but little by little, the shrub encroached into my field. The agriculture extension officer told me that I will end up with no field at all. And this field is what my family's livelihood is based on," said Esinath Swiza, a widow whose field has to feed her five children and two orphaned nieces.

Revesai Mhembere, another farmer, says that although only one cow from his herd of eleven died after eating lantana camara last year, other neighbours had lost three or more animals.

"Reports of more than ten cattle deaths per month were common. Now it is down to two or three. I think the cattle have become clever and avoid eating it," Mhembere told IPS.

Killing livestock

Not only is lantana camara killing livestock, it has taken over vast swaths of arable land and is threatening local riverbanks where it grows lavishly. It is even threatening Zimbabwe’s world heritage site, the Victoria Falls.

In a speech to mark International Biological Diversity Day, on May 22, Minister of Environment and Natural Resources Management, Francis Nhema, said lantana camara had not only reduced grazing land around the country but is threatening the rain forest at Victoria Falls.

He explained the Zimbabwean government lacked resources to efficiently fight the plant: "In 2000, the national park [authorities] in Nyanga and Chimanimani estimated their annual budget for control of invasive species to be $3,600, while the timber companies were using up to $100,000 annually to manage invasive alien species on their estates."

In collaboration with seedling and nursery officers of the local forestry authorities as well as Agriculture, Research and Extension Services, Chief Bushu ordered some of his headmen to organise teams of ten that take turns to axe and burn off the dangerous shrubs, while other teams dig up its roots.

Communications officer of Harare-based non-governmental organisation Environment Africa, Deliwe Utete, lauded the vilagers’ initiative, saying lantana camara was destroying entire eco-systems.

"Rural people depend on the land and livestock for their livelihood, and if that is to be destroyed by invasive plants like lantana camara, we have serious trouble. Unfortunately, because of the economic situation Zimbabwe finds itself in, chemicals to fight the plant are not [available]. So the best method for now is to physically remove it," she explained.

-IPS

ZIM'S NEW MEDIA REGULATOR IS A STEP CLOSER

The Zimbabwean Parliamentary Committee on Standing Rules and Orders (CSRC) has begun advertising posts for the new media commission that will licence newspapers.

Adverts announcing the vacancies are the first step towards constituting the long-awaited Zimbabwe Media Commission (ZMC) which was created in January 2008.

Haggling between political rivals, the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) and Zanu PF, has until now prevented the appointment of commissioners and the establishment of the body.

The longtime rivals formed a government of national unity on February 11, paving the way for the commencement of targeted reforms spelt out in an agreement hammered out during talks that led to a new government.

According to the timeline, stakeholders are required to submit nominations to the CSRC which in turn will run open interviews in Parliament before Pesident Robert Mugabe decides on the chairman based on its recommendations.

The CSRC has targeted end of June for the completion of the process.

A total of 12 commissioners will make up the ZMC.

In terms of the constitution of Zimbabwe Mugabe will make these appointments.

The ZMC will be responsible for licensing journalists and media houses to practice in Zimbabwe as well as enforcing ethics in the media. It shall also preside over what is referred to in the Access to Information of Privacy Act (AIPPA) as ‘journalistic privilege’, breach of which is subject to criminal sanction.

Mugabe's old government has presided over the closure of four newspapers using the now defunct Media and Information Commission (MIC).

The country's largest circulating independent daily, The Daily News, was among the four papers that were shut down by the MIC for breaching AIPPA’s licensing and registration provisions.

Dozens of journalists were arrested while others left the country to pursue their careers elsewhere.

-journalism.co.za

No refuge, access denied: Medical and humanitarian needs of Zimbabweans in South Africa

Each day, thousands of Zimbabweans cross the border into South Africa, many risking their lives to flee economic meltdown, political turmoil, and a critical lack of access to health care in their country. Report by Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF)

In the past several years, the crisis in Zimbabwe has given rise to food insecurity, an unprecedented cholera epidemic, political violence, rampant unemployment, an escalating HIV crisis and the near-total collapse of the health system. This breakdown in Zimbabwe has driven nearly one quarter of the entire population into neighbouring countries, particularly South Africa.

And despite claims that Zimbabwe is 'normalising' following the establishment of a Government of National Unity, Zimbabweans continue to cross the border every day, legally and illegally, in massive numbers as a matter of survival.

Upon arrival, many Zimbabweans endure further suffering in South Africa, without access to proper health care, shelter or safety. During their journey to and within South Africa, they are subjected to violence, physical and verbal abuse, police harassment, inhumane living conditions and xenophobic attacks.

The South African Constitution guarantees access to health care and other essential services to all those who live in the country - including refugees, asylum-seekers, and migrants - regardless of legal status. However, in practice, the fear of arrest, deportation, and xenophobia, coupled with a lack of accurate information about their rights, has kept many Zimbabweans from accessing basic services necessary for survival. Today, Zimbabweans are still often charged exorbitant fees to access public facilities despite policies to the contrary, turned away from hospitals when they need admission, discharged prematurely, or subjected to harsh treatment by health staff in the public services.

In 2007, Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) opened two projects to respond to the specific health needs of Zimbabweans seeking refuge in South Africa.

MSF mobile clinics, operating in and around Musina town at the border with Zimbabwe, in addition to a fixed MSF clinic at the Central Methodist Church in Johannesburg, provide general primary health care, referrals to existing hospitals or specialised medical facilities, and other humanitarian assistance, including shelter, water and food.

MSF medical teams treat 4,000-5,000 Zimbabweans each month, mainly for respiratory tract infections, including a substantial proportion of tuberculosis; sexually transmitted infections; gastro-intestinal and diarrhoeal conditions; and stress-related ailments. More than 30% of HIV tests performed are positive. Yet, this is just the tip of the iceberg. There are thousands more Zimbabweans who never come forward to access MSF or other health services, choosing instead to protect themselves by becoming invisible in South African society.

Because many patients have endured multiple traumatic events and exhibit symptoms of posttraumatic stress, MSF also provides psychological support in both Musina and Johannesburg. In addition, MSF teams treat a rising number of survivors of sexual violence and see a worrying increase in the number of unaccompanied children travelling from Zimbabwe into South Africa.

The recent announcement by the South African Department of Home Affairs that a new system will be put in place to regularise the legal status of Zimbabweans in South Africa, and to stop the systematic deportation of Zimbabweans, is a welcome departure from the government's previous policy of aggressive harassment, arrest, and deportation. Whether the fate of vulnerable Zimbabweans in South Africa will improve depends upon how and when these new policies will be put into practice.

This report highlights the plight of Zimbabweans seeking refuge in South Africa, the appalling conditions in which they live, and their ongoing lack of access to adequate protection, shelter, and basic services, particularly health care, in South Africa.

ZIM EXCLUDED FROM FUND LAUNCHED TO STRENGTHEN AFRICA'S HEALTH CARE

International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank Group, the African Development Bank, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and the German development finance institution DEG - Deutsche Investitions- und Entwicklungsgesellschaft mbH announced last week that they have created a new private equity fund that will invest in Africa’s health sector.

The Health in Africa Fund, managed by Aureos Capital, will invest in small- and medium-sized companies in sub-Saharan Africa, such as health clinics and diagnostic centers, with the goal of helping low-income Africans gain access to affordable, high-quality health services. The fund will be measured not only by fiscal performance but also by its ability to cultivate businesses serving the poor.

The Health in Africa Fund will help implement key recommendations of IFC’s landmark report, "The Business of Health in Africa: Partnering with the Private Sector to Improve People’s Lives", which found that the private sector already delivers about half of all health-related goods and services in Africa, and that greater investment in private health companies could have major health and economic benefits for low-income Africans.

The fund will target commitments between $100 to 120 million over two closings. Today’s first closing of $57 million includes investments from IFC ($20 million), the African Development Bank ($20 million), the Gates Foundation ($7 million), and DEG ($10 million). The final closing will take place within a year.

“This is a great opportunity to provide health services where it’s needed most,” said Lars Thunell, IFC Executive Vice President and CEO. “The Health in Africa fund is a key component of IFC’s $1 billion Africa health strategy, which includes improving the operating environment for companies in addition to providing financing.”

Donald Kaberuka, President, African Development Bank, noted: “The Health in Africa Fund is likely to have considerable growth potential despite the global economic slowdown and we are committed to supporting this landmark initiative.”

The fund will make long-term equity and quasi-equity investments in socially responsible and financially sustainable private health companies with the aim of scaling up successful businesses, taking proven business models into new regions, and identifying and investing in areas where there are critical gaps. It will invest in a wide range of companies that deliver health services (clinics, hospitals, diagnostic centers, labs); risk pooling and financing vehicles (health management organizations, insurance companies); distribution and retail organizations (eye clinics, pharmaceutical chains, logistics companies); pharmaceutical and medical-related manufacturing companies; medical education; and providers of medical education.

“To fight disease and save lives in sub-Saharan Africa, it is important to improve both public and private health care options for the poor,” said Tachi Yamada, president of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation’s Global Health Program. “With so many low-income Africans already accessing care through the private sector, this fund will help enhance the quality and quantity of that care, while also directly supporting local economies.”

Dr. Winfried Polte, chairman of DEG’s Board of Management, said: “We are proud to support an initiative that is introducing innovative approaches to meet Africa’s health challenges and could help in reducing poverty.”

The fund plans to make about 30 investments, ranging from $250,000 to $5 million. Although viable investment opportunities from all parts of Africa will be considered, priority countries include Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, Senegal, Tanzania, and Uganda. Angola, Burundi, Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Mozambique, Rwanda, South Africa, and Zambia are expected to follow. Zimbabwe does not appear on the list of aid recipients.

“Aureos is delighted to manage a private equity fund focused on bringing capital and business services to SMEs in Africa’s health sector,” noted Sev Vettivetpillai, CEO, Aureos Advisers Limited. He added that the fund manager will provide value-added services to investee companies, including HIV/AIDS management support, business development, quality control, marketing, corporate governance, and operational assistance.

The Health in Africa Fund is part of IFC’s Health in Africa Initiative (http://www.ifc.org/healthinafrica) under which IFC intends to mobilize up to $1 billion in investment and advisory services over five years, following publication of its 2007 Business of Health in Africa report, which focuses on how to improve people’s lives by partnering with the private sector. Besides the equity vehicle, IFC is improving access to long-term financing for smaller companies involved in health care through local financial intermediaries. Together with the World Bank and other partners, IFC is working with governments to help them better harness the private sector to achieve national health goals and is producing the first biennial report on Africa’s health care investment climate.

-IFC and Simba Nembaware

ZIM FINANCIAL RESCUE PLAN UNDER WAY

Victoria Falls - Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe on Sunday took over the helm of Africa's main trading bloc as his country seeks to emerge from an economic meltdown.

"History is replete with examples that show that this (regional integration) is the only way to make a real progress as no country can develop in isolation," Mugabe told a summit of leaders from the 19-member Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA).

The 85-year-old leader said more trade and investment allowed for greater circulation of knowledge and skills

"Regional economic integration is our strategy of achieving this objective."

Once a dynamic country, Zimbabwe's economy has contracted by more than 45% over the past decade as a result of political and economic instability.

The former British colony has been hit by food shortages and the world's highest inflation rate.

A senior official said on Thursday that COMESA was preparing a financial rescue package for Zimbabwe. COMESA members meeting in the resort town of Victoria Falls are set to launch a customs union on Sunday to facilitate the free movement of goods in the region.

Among the heads of state in attendance are Sudan's President Omar al-Beshir, who faces an international arrest warrant for war crimes, and ousted Madagascan leader Marc Ravalomanana.

Under the deal, the 19 countries in the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) will impose the same tariffs on goods from outside the region.

Raw materials and capital goods will travel across borders without tariffs, while intermediate products will be taxed at 10% and finished goods at 25%.

Most countries have also lifted visa restrictions on travel within the bloc, with members ranging from tourist hotspot Egypt to some of the world's poorest and most conflict-torn nations, like the Democratic Republic of Congo.

The COMESA region is home to 400 million people, with a combined gross domestic product of 360 billion dollars.

Mugabe took over the COMESA chairpersonship from Kenyan President Mwai Kibaki.

COMESA consists of Burundi, Comoros, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Djibouti, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Libya, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, Rwanda, Seychelles, Sudan, Swaziland, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
- AFP

MEXICO HOSTS 2009 WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY

This year's June 5 World Environment Day (WED)celebrations will be hosted by Mexico, a reflection of the growing role of the Latin American country in the fight against climate change, including its growing participation in the carbon markets, Writes Simba Nembaware

Mexico is also a leading partner in UNEP's Billion Tree Campaign. The country, with the support of its President and people, has spearheaded the pledging and planting of some 25 per cent of the trees under the campaign. Accounting for around 1.5 per cent of global greenhouse gas emissions, the country is demonstrating its commitment to climate change on several fronts.


The United Nations Environment Programme quoted Mexican President Felipe Calderon stating that the WED celebration will “further underline Mexico's determination to manage natural resources and deal with the most demanding challenge of the 21st century – climate change.”

Commemorated yearly on 5 June, WED is one of the principal vehicles through which the United Nations stimulates worldwide awareness of the environment and enhances political attention and action. The day's agenda includes giving a human face to environmental issues through empowering people to become active agents of sustainable and equitable development; promoting an understanding that communities are pivotal to changing attitudes towards environmental issues;and advocating partnership which will ensure all nations and peoples enjoy a safer and more prosperous future.

The theme for WED 2009 is 'Your Planet Needs You-UNite to Combat Climate Change'. It reflects the urgency for nations to agree on a new deal at the crucial climate convention meeting in Copenhagen some 180 days later in the year, and the links with overcoming poverty and improved management of forests.

Mexico, the host country, will organize a series of events in Quintana Roo, in the Yucatan Province. Highlights include a conference on the Green Economy with California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, Mexico's Environment Secretary Juan Elvira Quesada, and Achim Steiner, the Executive Director of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).

There will also be photo exhibits, an art competition, a Maya 'Healing the Earth' ceremony, and a Symphonic Visual Concert entitled 'The Shield of Nature' by the Philharmonic Choir and World Heritage Orchestra.

SADC FOOD SECURITY IMPROVES - MINISTERS

SADC Ministers responsible for Agriculture and Food Security met recently in Johannesburg, South Africa to review progress on the regional food security situation, and -on the implementation of the Regional Indicative Strategic Development Plan and the Dar-es-Salaam Declaration Plan of Action on Agriculture and Food Security. Writes Simba Nembaware

Food Security Situation,Food Availability and Climate Change were some of the key areas reviewed.

Ministers noted that the regional food security situation had improved in 2009 compared to 2008 following favourable rains in the region that saw many states expecting better harvests. The meeting revealed that the region is still a net importer of milk and meat despite a significant increase in the production of animal products in 2008 compared to 2007. Similarly, the region has recorded a steady increase in fish production in recent years.

Commitment to the implementation of the Dar-es-salaam Declaration on Agriculture and Food Security was reaffirmed by the ministers after a realisation that the implementation of this Declaration in the past 5 years had yielded positive results and has potential to contribute to improving the regional food security situation and nutrition at household level.

The Ministers noted progress made in increasing the availability and use of key agricultural inputs such as seed and fertilizer. They observed that in the past one year, negotiations on the development of a memorandum of understanding for implementing the harmonized seed regulatory system, which was approved in 2007 have been completed. The system aims at improving seed trade and availability of high quality seed to farmers in the region. This will complement the efforts of Member States in improving crop production and food security.

According to the SADC Report on the meeting, the three pillars of food security; food availability, food access and food safety are threatened by the effects of climate change. It says its impact on precipitation, temperature, and increased frequency of drought and floods is considered detrimental to the agricultural sector.

The Ministers therefore recognized the important role of research in adaptation to climate change, and the initiatives taken by their counterparts dealing with climate change in considering the development of the strategy for the region as a mechanism for adaptation to the phenomenon.