ZIMBABWE - HARARE - International sanctions against Robert Mugabe's regime have failed to improve human rights in Zimbabwe or pressure the regime to share power, a "deeply frustrated" Western diplomat was forced to admit Monday.

 

The senior Western diplomat said that discussions will be held in the coming weeks with Zimbabwe's neighbouring states to see whether further steps need to be taken to encourage President Mugabe to respect the rule of law and genuinely commit to share power with the MDC.

 

 

 

So far, over 40 political detainees remain held in custody on false charges of banditry framed to pressure the MDC to join Mugabe's government.

 

 

 

 

 

Eleven of those remain held incommunicado amid mounting concerns about their safety.

 

Those who have been produced in court have narrated shocking tales of torture, including freezing,  burns on private parts, assaults of a two-year-old baby and outright humiliation and denial of treatment and medication.

Speaking in the wake of a deadlock in talks between Mugabe's Zanu PF regime and the Movement for Democratic Change, the diplomat said there was "no evidence" of an improvement in human rights despite the widening of EU and US sanctions.

 

Fresh tighter measures were imposed after Mugabe's disputed re-election through the deeply flawed one -man race of June 27, boycotted by his rival Morgan Tsvangirai, which prompted widespread criticism from Africa and across the world.

The diplomat said that EU sanctions had imposed "some inconvenience" on Zanu PF leaders.

The US government has been exasperated and now says it will not back any government that has Matibili at the helm.

 

Infact the US government has now stated that it will not unlock any financial support if Matibili remains at the head of State given his apparent reluctance to share power with the MDC - winners of the only credible elections in March.

 

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The diplomat told ZimDaily: "Where we have a government that appears to care very little for what is happening to its own citizens and is not really prepared to take on board the concerns of the international community ... there is a limit to what the international community not just the British Government - can achieve.

 

Will further sanctions make a difference? It's too soon to tell. It's certainly not clear now what impact the wider sanctions has had."

A special SADC summit is due to discuss Zimbabwe at a meeting in Botswana although details have not been hammered out. EU foreign ministers will assess the impact of their sanctions at their next summit in Luxembourg.

 

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JOKE OF THE DAY - Signs that England is being Colonized by Zimbabweans

1) Balancing rocks on the new £10 note!

2) Dual language signs at Heathrow Airport- eg "Immigration Uko" and "Vari KuDeportwa itai queue muri pano"

3) Dual pricing in pounds shops ie "£1 / ZW$ 800-$ 1000 Zimdollar shop"

4) Mcdonald launches new "McSadza neboerwors sandwich" The "McSadza neboerwors inemhiripri is also available at leading branches in Slough and Luton. The "McVhukavhuka special" - zondo sandwich with special herb sauce and extra cheese.

5) Burger King follows suit with "The BK Double maribs akagochwa with cheese meal"

 

 

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