International community demands ‘rule of law’ in Zimbabwe

By Tichaona Sibanda
20 March 2009

There must be a return to the rule of law in Zimbabwe, the international community has said, in reference to Robert Mugabe’s call for US$5bn in international aid to revive the country’s shattered economy.

Launching the inclusive government's Short-Term Emergency Recovery Programme (STERP) in Harare on Thursday, Mugabe appealed to the ‘friends of Zimbabwe’ to come to the country's aid. But the friends Mugabe was appealing to in Southern Africa and the Far East have not responded and have remained generally quiet.

But those that can help revive the country’s economy are demanding democratic reforms before they will inject any cash. The same Western countries Mugabe regards with disdain have donated humanitarian aid worth hundreds of millions of dollars in the last 10 years.

The visiting Danish minister for Cooperation and Development, echoed the same sentiments on Thursday when she said Zimbabwe must restore the rule of law and stop the fresh wave of farm invasions, if aid is to flow.

‘I underlined to the Minister (Herbert Murerwa, Agriculture minister) that the evictions of farmers from their land and the lack of respect for Bilateral Investment Protection Agreements and the invasion of land without compensation is unacceptable,’ Danish Minister Ulla Tornaes said.

Tornaes arrived in Harare on Tuesday on a mission to assess progress in the implementation of the country’s power-sharing agreement between Mugabe, Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai and Deputy Premier Arthur Mutambara. She will also explore areas of cooperation between the two countries. She has already met Acting Prime Minister Thokozani Khupe and Foreign Affairs Minister Simbarashe Mumbengegwi, and was expected to meet other ministers during her stay in Zimbabwe this week.

Political analyst Bekithemba Mhlanga told us the Western countries are essentially demanding that the inclusive government immediately strengthens the rule of law, which is key to ensuring long term security and stability in the country.

Mhlanga said democracy and the rule of law provides the foundation for any sustainable economic development, adding that there cannot be democracy, let alone social democracy, without the rule of law, which is meaningful only if there is equal treatment of citizens.

During the last 10 years, laws in the country were only applied selectively. Law breakers from ZANU PF always go free, while the authorities have always dealt harshly with MDC officials and supporters.

The economic blueprinted launched on Thursday recognises that the anchor to a new Zimbabwe needs to address not only economic issues, but also issues around the rule of law, a new people driven constitution, and entrenched property rights.

Finance Minister Tendai Biti said reforms in the country should be commenced as a matter of urgency. He also said STERP, like the GPA, recognises the importance of creating a vibrant and free media as an important part of democratising institutions. This entails liberalising the air waves, freeing the media, and ensuring that plural voices are heard through both electronic and print media, consistent with Article 19 of the GPA.

Although the words are good, action is needed soon to back them up.