Christian Bodies Press Zimbabwe Parties to Fix Problems
Some of the world's largest Christian organizations united together Thursday to urge Zimbabwe's two rival political parties to immediately fix the country's human rights and humanitarian problems as they begin power-sharing talks.
Leaders of the World Council of Churches, the World Student Christian Federation, the World Alliance of Reformed Churches, the World Alliance of YWCA's and the World Alliance of YMCA's called Zimbabwe's leaders to immediately end the political violence and human rights abuses that have caused millions of Zimbabweans to suffer.
Specifically, Zimbabwe's leaders must lift the ban that has prevented humanitarian aid agencies and non-governmental organizations from working in the country despite the masses of people facing starvation. The parties must also end the post-election violence that has resulted in destroyed homes, injuries and deaths.
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"We are appalled by reports of continuing violence in many parts of the country, particularly in the rural areas," the letter read. "All forms of violence, harassment, intimidation and torture must cease immediately in order to provide an environment truly conducive for peaceful negotiations."
The Christian organizations released the letter Thursday, the same day the ruling Zanu-PF party and the opposition Movement for Democratic Change party began talks in full-swing to resolve Zimbabwe's political crisis. Although preliminary talks began on Tuesday, the Zanu-PF negotiators only flew out of Harare on Wednesday night, according to Agence France-Presse.
Both sides are now negotiating a power-sharing deal at a secret location in South Africa.
A firestorm of criticism has surrounded Zanu-PF's Robert Mugabe following the presidential election in March 29 in which he was accused of rigging the results. After a long and controversial waiting period, the results announced that opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai had won the most votes but did not have the clear majority to be declared president.
Violence then broke out between the two parties with Mugabe loyalists attacking MDC supporters. At least 100 MDC supporters have died since the March election, the group reported.
Then in June, one week before the runoff election, Tsvangirai pulled out of the race citing that he could not continue the contest and allow his supporters to risk their lives in voting for him. As a result, Mugabe won the one-man election and announced that he was fairly re-elected by the people to a sixth consecutive term as president.
Nearly no international governments recognize Mugabe as the legitimate leader of Zimbabwe.
On Monday, the two rivals formally agreed to talk about forming a coalition government much to the relief of the international community.
The Christian leaders in their letter welcome the talks and said it offers hope to Zimbabweans. But they also reminded the leaders to take care of urgent problems plaguing the people.
"We pray for all the negotiators so that they are guided by the best interests and deeper aspirations of the people of Zimbabwe," they said.
