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Politically
motivated violence in Zimbabwe 2000-2001 |
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Contents « Prev Next » 8. Implications for Southern Africa and for Africa in general The continuing instability in Zimbabwe has had adverse economic effects on the countries in Southern Africa. It has led to a serious drop in tourism in the region, and has affected foreign investment. It has left Zimbabwe unable to pay some of the large debts owed to South Africa, and there has been a decline in trade between the two countries. The response of Africa to the political repression in Zimbabwe is important for the future course of democratisation and the development of tolerant systems of political competition in Africa. At a meeting of the Organisation of African Unity (OAU) in July, African Foreign Ministers defended Zimbabwe’s land programme106 and blamed the instability, conflict and economic disruption on Britain’s refusal to support Zimbabwe's land reform efforts.107 The criticism of Britain was, however, expunged from the final declaration of the African Heads of State.108 A South African Foreign Affairs spokesman later stated that South Africa’s stance on the land reform programme remained unchanged – "land redistribution in Zimbabwe should be done within the framework of the law and the constitution of that country"109 – and this stance has been publicly endorsed by President Mbeki on several occasions. Many African countries seem unable or unprepared to accept that the ruling party in Zimbabwe is using the land issue as a cover to mount a full-scale attack upon the country’s democratic institutions. In general, African leaders have failed to condemn the violence directed at Mugabe’s political opponents and seem to have failed to understand that Mugabe’s approach to the land problem is causing untold harm. TOP 106 Daily News 10 July 2001. 107 Business Day 10 July 2001. 108 Independent (UK) 10 July 2001. 109 Cape Argus 10 July 2001. TOP
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