Zimbabwe

Hugh asks:

Dear Sir,

As an everyday citizen, I am at a loss to understand what is happening, so am writing requesting your help please.

Could you please explain to me, why governments worldwide are apparently unable to do anything about the continuing tragic situation in Zimbabwe?

Given that there are human rights abuses, murders, unlawful arrests, vote rigging, torture etc, on a common basis, could you please advise what a concerned citizen can do to have the Mugabe regime brought to account, or that government brought down?

Many thanks, and kind regards,

Hugh
Auckland, NZ

The Secretary-General replies:

Dear Hugh

Zimbabwe was suspended in 2002, and sadly the Government of Zimbabwe decided to withdraw from the Commonwealth in December 2003.

My predecessor as Commonwealth Secretary-General, Don McKinnon, received an official letter dated 11 December 2003 from the Government of Zimbabwe, signed by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr I S G Mudenge, confirming that Zimbabwe had terminated its membership of the Commonwealth with effect from 7 December 2003.

Most of Zimbabwe’s neighbouring countries in the Southern African Development Community are members of the Commonwealth. With President Zuma of South Africa as facilitator SADC seeks to resolve the political crisis, primarily through ensuring implementation of the Global Political Agreement between the three parties that are represented in the Parliament of Zimbabwe and which have joined the Inclusive Government.

The Commonwealth remains hopeful of Zimbabwe’s return to the membership and meanwhile we are encouraged by continued contact and interaction at the people-to-people level.

Kamalesh Sharma