Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa has been 'anointed' as Chair of SADC
A most curious accolade for a man with such a violent and corrupt back story. [Image ED Hammering Zimbabwe]
Mnangagwa is the new Chairman of SADC overall with specific responsibilities and duties - he will take over from H.E. João Lourenço [President of Angola] and The Chair of SADC Organ is now H.E. Dr. Samia Suluhu Hassan [President of Tanzania] who has superseded H.E. Hakainde Hichilema [President of Zambia] specific duties covering SADC Troika on Politics, Defence, and Security Cooperation (source Tanzanian Citizen News}
"The outgoing chairman [H.E. João Lourenço] also addressed ongoing security challenges in the Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), stressing the need for maintaining peace and stability in the region. He extended condolences to the families of those who lost their lives in SADC missions in Mozambique and the DRC and called for renewed efforts to restore peace in these areas. [This aspect is tragic indeed when we look at Mnangagwa's past crimes and violence.] See below
How can Mnangagwa be in charge of this with his record in 2002 as the "Chief Strategist of the Looting the DRC! (UN report}Note1
In Addition - Climate
In accepting the chairmanship, President Mnangagwa outlined his vision for SADC’s future, focusing on economic transformation and regional integration. He pledged to build on the foundation laid by his predecessor and work closely with all member states to achieve the region’s goals.
The summit, held under the theme “Promoting Innovation to Unlock Opportunities for Sustainable Economic Growth and Development Towards an Industrialized SADC,” also featured discussions on climate changeNote2, economic cooperation, and the impact of global events on the region.
Then there is still the overhanging issue [as yet unresolved] over Mnangagwa's involvement and complicity in GUKURAHUNDI - something that no Zimbabwean {with a conscious can ignore - even after 40 years or so}.Note3
Mnangagwa's Chairmanship Sparks Controversy and Concern
by Basil Kamombe CCC Manchester, United Kingdom.
The situation in Zimbabwe under President Mnangagwa has raised significant concerns regarding human rights, governance, and the role of regional bodies like the Southern African Development Community (SADC).
Since Mnangagwa took power in 2017, the country has experienced a series of violent events, including the military's involvement in elections, protests, and a broader crackdown on dissent.
SADC - established to promote development, peace, and security, appears to have been ineffective in addressing the ongoing crisis in Zimbabwe. Critics argue that the organization has prioritized political alliances over the well-being of the citizens it is meant to serve.
This perception of SADC as a protective shield for leaders rather than a force for accountability has fuelled disillusionment among Zimbabweans. [Will ED Hammer SADC too??]
In response to the dire situation, there is a call for the formation of a shadow diaspora government that can advocate for the rights and voices of Zimbabweans who feel silenced. Such a government could provide a platform for representation and push for international recognition, aiming to bring attention to the democratic crisis in Zimbabwe.
The emphasis on youth representation is also crucial, as the SADC region has a significant young population that can play a vital role in driving change. Mobilizing young leaders and activists could foster a new wave of advocacy for democracy and human rights in Zimbabwe and beyond.
Overall, the need for accountability, effective governance, and genuine representation in Zimbabwe remains urgent, and the role of regional organizations like SADC will be critical in determining the future of the country. [More Evidence to follow in part 2]
x.com/MmusiMaimane
"I salute the presidents who chose to skip the SADC summit in Zimbabwe {missing were Zambia - [already threatened by ED], Comoros and Mauritius} hosted by the brutal Gukurahundi enforcer @edmnangagwa. Unfortunately President Ramaphosa keeps enabling oppression and death next door while claiming to care about human rights on the global stage. What is worse is that South Africa carries the tab of oppression and dictatorship in Zimbabwe. The first country that Zimbabweans have run to because of Zanu PF is South Africa. The Zimbabwean crisis is now a local crisis but instead of standing for the people, instead of fighting for human rights, @CyrilRamaphosa enables the continuing crisis in Zimbabwe."
x.com/crimewatchzw
"Mnangagwa arrived at the New Parliament Building in Mt. Hampden for the 44th SADC Summit. The number of security personnel protecting him compared to other African presidents is shocking. What could be the reason for this?"
x.com/steve_hanke
#ZIMWatch🇿🇼: "Pres. Mnangagwa considers Zimbabwe's economy to be on an unstoppable path to recovery. Mnangagwa is clearly DILLUSIONAL. Today, I accurately measure inflation in ZIM at a STUNNING 828%/yr. MNANGAGWA CONTINUES TO DRIVE ZIM OFF THE CLIFF."
Historical Context of Mnangagwa
Taken from our Petition on 11th November 2021 regarding the visit by Mnangagwa to COP26 in Glasgow. A great many Zimbabweans protested vehemently regarding Mnangagwa's visit to Scotland {he had to cower within the UN Segregated area for fear of being arrested}.
https://zhro.org.uk/images/sampledata/COP26-Follow-Up-Petition-11th-Nov.pdf [ 11th November 2021]
"On E D Mnangagwa’s Human Rights record, his political repression record and his non-existent Environmental record we wish to protest in writing this visitation of a despotic tyrant, guilty of Genocide, Murder, Rape and Torture, let alone the institutionalised corruption and looting of all resources to his name, his political party and all its ‘sub-contractors’."
- "The Zanu PF’s regime’s penchant for torture and political violence is the main reason many are in the diaspora globally. They have fled persecution, and many have been victims of torture."
- "We also object to E D Mnangagwa and Zanu PF [Zimbabwe and UK] appalling record for the 17 Sustainable Development Goals as promoted by the United Nations [UNSDGs]. Such as, Failed Drinking Water Supplies, Failed Sewage Systems, Failed Electricity supply, Failed Road, Rail and Transport infrastructure and ongoing maintenance, Biased Judiciary, Failed voting system and administration, etc etc"
- "[We point out that his involvement of the] Looting of DR Congo, UN Report 2002: Plundering of DR Congo natural resources"
Looting of DR Congo, UN Report 2002:
Plundering of DR Congo natural resources: Final report of the Panel of Experts (S/2002/1146)
https://reliefweb.int/report/burundi/plundering-dr-congo-natural-resources-final-report-panel-expertss20021146
- Item 18. Towards the end of its mandate, the Panel received a copy of a memorandum dated August 2002 from the Defence Minister, Sidney Sekeramayi, to President Robert Mugabe, proposing that a joint Zimbabwe-Democratic Republic of the Congo company be set up in Mauritius to disguise the continuing economic interests of ZDF in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The memorandum states: "Your Excellency would be aware of the wave of negative publicity and criticism that the DRC-Zimbabwe joint ventures have attracted, which tends to inform the current United Nations Panel investigations into our commercial activities." It also refers to plans to set up a private Zimbabwean military company to guard Zimbabwe's economic investments in the Democratic Republic of the Congo after the planned withdrawal of ZDF troops. It states that this company was formed to operate alongside a new military company owned by the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
- Item27. THE KEY STRATEGIST for the Zimbabwean branch of the elite network is the Speaker of the Parliament and former National Security Minister, EMMERSON DAMBUDZO MNANGAGWA. Mr. Mnangagwa has won strong support from senior military and intelligence officers for an aggressive policy in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. His key ally is a Commander of ZDF and Executive Chairman of COSLEG, General Vitalis Musunga Gava Zvinavashe. The General and his family have been involved in diamond trading and supply contracts in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. A long-time ally of President Mugabe, Air Marshal Perence Shiri, has been involved in military procurement and organizing air support for the pro-Kinshasa armed groups fighting in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo. He is also part of the inner circle of ZDF diamond traders who have turned Harare into a significant illicit diamond-trading centre.
Gukurahundi in the 1980's
""What happened in Matebeleland, should never happen again in future. Hence the reason why it is open to anyone to freely take part or get involved in it to ensure that JUSTICE for the Victims of that Evil Genocide (Gukurahundi) and Heinous Crimes Against Humanity prevails. "OURS IS A CLEAR, SINGLE MISSION CALLING FOR JUSTICE TO BE DONE":
"That both the British Parliament's Houses of Commons and of Lords, RECOGNISE, ACCEPT and ENACT that, in Matebeleland and Midlands Provinces - Zimbabwe, there was GENOCIDE (Gukurahundi) and HEINOUS CRIMES AGAINST HUMANITY""". ZHRO Statement 30th August 2018 [6 years ago]
EXISTING STUDIES ON VIOLENCE IN THE ZIMBABWEAN SETTING
There has been a series of studies into prevalence and effect of organised violence carried out at two small rural hospitals, at Mount Darwin and Karanga in the far north eastern corner of Zimbabwe. Although this area was completely unaffected by events in the 1980s, it is an area that suffered extreme violence in the 1970s, and is the only area where the long term consequences of organised violence for Zimbabweans have been studied. As no studies on the effects of the 1980s violence have yet been done, the Mount Darwin/Karanga study may provide some insight into the effects of organised violence in a Zimbabwean setting.
This suggestion is not made dogmatically, and one would expect cultural and historical differences to have made the 1980s experience discreet for its sufferers from the 1970s violence. Much of the data in the 1970s studies relates to war veterans, whereas in Matabeleland and the Midlands in the 1980s, it was civilians who were affected by the violence: there are problems in extrapolating from the former group to the latter. Even where Mount Darwin results relate to civilians, it must be remembered that in Matabeleland and the Midlands, people have now suffered two consecutive periods of violence, which has compounded the plight of survivors in these regions.
Interested readers are therefore referred to the list of references for this chapter, if they wish to pursue what is already known from the Mount Darwin/Karanga studies. As has been mentioned before in this report, the techniques of torture used by government agencies in the 1980s were nothing new in this country: such abuse was widespread in the 1970s.
A.DEFINITIONS OF ORGANISED VIOLENCE
The term "organised violence" derives from an initiative of the World Health Organisation (WHO), and, in Southern Africa, has been given a definition that both includes and extends the original definition given by the WHO. An International Conference, and a subsequent Regional Meeting, both held in Harare, gave the following definition:
"Organised violence is the interhuman infliction of significant avoidable pain and suffering by an organised group according to a declared or implied strategy and/or system of ideas and attitudes. It comprises any violent action which is unacceptable by general human standards, and relates to the victims' feelings. Organised violence includes inter alia "torture, cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment" as mentioned in Article 5 of the UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights(1948). Imprisonment without trial, mock executions, hostage taking or any other form of violent deprivation of liberty also fall under the heading of organised violence. The effects of apartheid, destabilisation, civil war, the forced displacement of people, and political violence constitute organised violence. Violence which occurs in these situations as a direct consequence of political repression, although it may appear random, is of a structural nature, involves violation of basic human rights and can only disappear when human, social and political relationships are profoundly changed." (PAZ.1991)
As can be seen from this definition, the terms covers a very wide range of effects, from torture to displacement, from deliberate infliction of bodily harm to economic hardship. This may seem to some to be an unduly wide definition, but it does bear some relation to reality. It can also be seen, that the events of the 1980s fall well within the definition of what constitutes organised violence.
There are other more restrictive definitions, mostly indicated in international conventions, declarations, and principles.
The United Nations Convention against Torture gives a very formal legal definition, as does the UN Declaration of Human Rights. The African Charter of Human and People's Rights gives a very simple and clearly understandable definition.
These legal definitions are mirrored in the definitions given by medical and forensic scientists, all of which emphasise the element of deliberate harm and violations of humanitarian principles. It is with these forensic perspectives that we examined the reports of violence in Zimbabwe in the 1980s.
In our review of the research and clinical studies, it became apparent that some clear categories emerge, both for types of violence and types of effects. We will describe these categories below in some detail.
B.FORMS OF ORGANISED VIOLENCE
It has become conventional in the study of organised violence to view violence as a kind of stress, albeit a very extreme form of stress. Where man-made stress is concerned, war, torture, riots, and psychological terror are sometimes considered to occupy a very similar position on the stress dimension. Despite their similarity, it is worth specifying the various forms, for, although the intent behind the violence may be the same - to deliberately harm human beings - the effects found are by no means uniform.
Organised violence can be very simply classified into six main kinds:
- Physical torture.
- Deprivation.
- Sensory overstimulation.
- Psychological torture - general
- Psychological torture - Witnessing of death or torture.
- Psychological torture - "Disappearing" of people.
These are by no means exclusive categories: it is usually not possible to separate clearly physical and psychological torture, except in the rare cases of psychological torture occurring in the absence of physical torture. It is fair to say that physical torture is always accompanied by verbal threats. In addition, people can suffer several types of physical torture simultaneously. A person might have been tortured, both physically and psychologically, have seen this happen to others, and have had a member of her family forcibly abducted and never seen again. Certainly, most interviewees providing data for this report suffered multiple types of abuse, as will be clearly illustrated by the cases used below.
A seventh category, wounds due to war, might also have been included, for these will clearly be found amongst people from Matabeleland and other victims of war, but this category is so obvious in its origin and its effects that it requires little discussion. Unfortunately, bullet wounds, or limbs missing due to land mine explosions are all too often the only pathology examined by a society. Here we would point out that the First National Disability Survey, carried out in the early 1980's, is a good example of this point: injuries due to war are reported exclusively as physical injuries. We will thus concentrate on the original six areas.