What progress has EU's Catherine Ashton 'seen' in Zimbabwe

by Clifford Chitupa Mashiri

2012 May 14 13:44:07 | 1047 Views

It is mind-boggling that the EU's foreign policy chief, Catherine Ashton reportedly said she had "seen" progress in Zimbabwe, which some of us have hardly noticed.

Amid coup threats, a deadlock on the New Constitution, sickening dithering on the Diaspora Vote and military dabbling in partisan politics, it was incredible to note that the EU's Catherine Ashton 'hailed ongoing political reforms in Zimbabwe.'

"The EU recognised progress to date and encouraged the reform process to continue in the same positive direction, allowing progress towards normalisation of relations," a statement released by her office was quoted as saying.

Reports said Ashton fell short of pledging a quick easing of targeted sanctions on Mugabe and his allies in talks with a delegation from Zimbabwe on Thursday leaving many wondering what charm offensive had won her over.

The questions which quickly raced in one's mind include: "What progress is she talking about? On what basis is the EU high representative making such a statement? Where is the irrefutable evidence of that perceived progress? Is Ashton talking about Zimbabwe?"

The fact that a senior EU official speaking on condition of anonymity said progress was "fairly slow" suggests that Ashton may have been over generous with her comments and probably out of touch with the situation on the ground.

Ashton was not expected to say what she said in view of current events in Zimbabwe. For instance, the open declaration on Tuesday 8 May, of allegiance to Zanu-PF by ZDF Chief of Staff Major General Martin Chedondo and his encouragement of the military to accept no other party may have been deliberately made to spite the Brussels talks.

Furthermore, Zanu-PF's sustained attacks on COPAC, the draft constitution and the party's opposition to the Diaspora Vote otherwise being referred to as Dual Citizenship is sufficient evidence of lack of progress.

In any case, not all exiles have become citizens abroad due to practical reasons including documentation and their families back home, but remain Zimbabwean nationals.

Obviously Zanu-PF is afraid of being confined to the dustbin of history if the estimated 4 million exiled Zimbabweans are allowed to vote in the forthcoming referendum and presidential elections like other normal countries are doing.

Zanu-PF is therefore more concerned about Mugabe's future in a new dispensation and the prospect of prosecution especially in the wake of the ruling by South Africa's North Gauteng High Court allowing the arrest of Zimbabwean perpetrators of human rights abuse. The safest place for Mugabe and his allies would be the Western countries once the targeted sanctions are removed hence the obsession with their removal at the Brussels talks.

However Ashton may have overlooked that there was no unanimity in the Zimbabwe delegation which she met with in Brussels last week. The delegation included Zanu-PF's outspoken justice minister Patrick Chinamasa, MDC-T's energy minister Elton Mangoma and MDC Ncube's regional integration minister Priscilla Misihairambwi.

Oddly enough energy minister Elton Mangoma could not be described as a free person at the time of the visit as he was and probably is still facing arrest for alleged perjury after claiming in court that Robert Mugabe had authorised appointments to a power regulatory board.

At the Brussels meeting, Zanu-PF's Patrick Chinamasa said: "We spoke with one voice on the issue of sanctions. We pointed out that the sanctions had no justification and should not remain."

On the contrary, even the MDC-T later briefed diplomats in Harare reiterating the need for full implementation of the GPA before targeted sanctions are lifted.

Meanwhile, the Mugabe regime has capitalised on Ashton's 'gaffe' by writing headlines in the state owned media such as "EU satisfied with GPA implementation" The Herald, 12 May 2012.

It appears someone at the EU will have to do some damage control before the international body loses credibility on its Zimbabwe policy.

----------------------
Clifford Chitupa Mashiri, Political Analyst, London, zimanalysis2009@gmail.com

Zimbabwe Catherine Ashton Progress EU

Disclaimer:

All articles and letters published on Bulawayo24 have been independently written by members of Bulawayo24's community. The views of users published on Bulawayo24 are therefore their own and do not necessarily represent the views of Bulawayo24. Bulawayo24 editors also reserve the right to edit or delete any and all comments received.

Source: Clifford Chitupa Mashiri