Poor governance and rampant corruption has resulted in Zimbabwe suffering its worst economic crisis in history, with an inflation rate of more than 9 million % per annum. Politically motivated attacks have led to at least 113 deaths, tens of thousands of torture victims and hundred of thousands displaced.
Zimbabwe had finally been put on the agenda of the UN Security Council but both China and Russia claimed the ‘sanctions’ were an attempt to meddle in the affairs of a member state, saying the situation posed no threat to international peace and security. Russia and China said they prefer to see the outcome of ‘talks’ between the country’s political rivals.
On July 14 Gordon Brown warned the proposals for punitive action would be brought back to the Security Council if the dialogue between Zanu (PF) and MDC failed.
Political analyst Brian Raftopoulos said China and Russia’s veto was not a surprise as they both had their own issues with the European Union and the United States.
China and Russia were joined by Libya, Vietnam and South Africa in voting against the UN resolution. South Africa had campaigned heavily against it with Mbeki warning that sanctions would trigger a civil war in Zimbabwe, and interfere with attempts to form a national unity government. This was the same excuse used by the Zimbabwean government.
“What’s interesting is that even the ANC in its recent statement has said this issue of the United Nations is not off the agenda with regards to Zimbabwe and I think the fact that it got to the Security Council vote is in itself an enormously important development,” Raftopoulos said.
Although he believes the UN resolution should be on the international agenda, he believes the timing is wrong. The MDC has committed itself to “talks” and they have to go through with them. It is important that the opposition makes the right kind of demands.
The talks between the political parties are shrouded in secrecy.
“There needs to be some kind of transparency and accountability. There is a huge need to give information to the Zimbabwean people,” Raftopoulos said. – SW Radio Africa (listen on 4880 or 12035kHz)
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