7 steps Mugabe must take

Aid agencies have started their engines, and are ready to deliver food, drugs and other assistance to Zimbabwe, now that Robert Mugabe has lifted a ban on relief. But donor governments are cautious, and investors will need a lot more assurances before the money begins to flow.

Norway last week approved emergency funds of 40 million kroner (US$7 million), channelled via the United Nations and humanitarian groups, but the billions Zimbabwe needs to rebuild are nowhere in sight.

British Ambassador John Sawers told the UN that his government was ready to support recovery only once the power-sharing deal was fully implemented.

So what are the signs that Britain, the European Union, Australia, Canada and the USA will be looking for?

1) Key ministries under MDC control

These must include Finance, Police and Home Affairs, Justice, Information including Zimbabwe Newspapers and the ZBC, Agriculture and Youth Affairs.

In Foreign Affairs and Defence, one suggestion has been for co-ministers – with two parties each having a minister overseeing the more sensitive areas of government.

2) An end to the militia

Although the document calls for a new youth training system, there is wide support for the militia to be shut down. =While they remain in place, Zanu has a virtually free army, unbound by military law, unaccountable and trained to torture, rape and kill.

3) Non-government media

The Daily News back on the streets and The Zimbabwean printed and distributed in-country without hindrance would be perhaps the clearest signal that things have changed. Legislation requiring journalists to be registered will need to go, including the repeal of AIPPA and POSA and laws on public meetings.

New boards drawn from both political parties should be established for state-owned media, and professional consultants brought in to reposition the TV and radio brands.

4) Reserve Bank

An early casualty is likely to be Gideon Gono – who has been willing to subvert the simplest economic theories to the whim government, issuing new one dollar notes a month ago, while knowing full well that inflation would in days render them worthless.

After the Rwandan genocide of 1994, the new government of Paul Kagame asked the South African Reserve Bank for help. A team from Pretoria installed as consultants in Harare — along with an independent audit — would help restore confidence.

5) Land for food

Unproductive farms near major cities — from where food can be delivered easily to market — must be cleared of squatters, ministers and other recipients and returned to commercial use under qualified management. This is urgent because first rains are due soon and a delay will not see new crops in the soil for another year.

6) Central Intelligence Organisation

The much-abused CIO must be removed from the president’s office and an all-party committee given oversight for the agency. By controlling the finance ministry, MDC will determine budget for CIO and the army.

7) Enemies of the state

Zimbabwe journalists and others based abroad who have angered the Mugabe government and are liable to be harassed or arrested on arrival must be allowed back without hindrance.

None of the above would be costly or difficult to manage. But they require real commitment from Zanu (PF). If Mugabe believes that merely signing up to power sharing will bring the world back to Harare, he is mistaken. This time, it seems, the game really is up and he and his henchmen have to deliver change that will, step by step, manoeuvre them out of power.

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