Zimbabwe Abolishes The Death Penalty

 

Zimbabwe has announced that it will no longer use the death penalty. This is a significant move related to human rights in the Southern African nation. Zimbabwe only has a total of 60 prisoners on death row. Zimbabwe only executed one prisoner in 2005. Zimbabwe does not favor capital punishment for a number of reasons. Executions are a reminder of the abuses of the white minority rule Rhodesian regime. Many lost their lives in the Bush War and wider liberation struggle. Capital punishment and executions were used against Zimbabweans to maintain colonial domination. President Emmerson Mnangagwa has voiced his rejection of the death penalty. During the liberation war, given the death penalty. The sentence was changed to ten years in prison, but some were not so fortunate. Zimbabwe has been criticized by the EU for  having a poor record on human rights. Just like the EU Zimbabwe abolished the death penalty. The criticisms of Zimbabwe are not out of genuine human rights promotion, rather a political agenda. African countries can advance human rights with out external advice or interference. Zimbabwe could inspire other African nations to ban capital punishment. Ghana, Kenya, and Liberia might be moving in this direction. President Mnangagawa signed the bill into law, preventing certain prisoners from being executed by the state.  

Zimbabwe's New Currency

 

Zimbabwe has introduced a new currency. The Zimbabwe Gold was introduced on April 5th. The motivation is to stop inflation and move away from the US dollar. This also is a way to circumvent sanctions imposed by the European Union and the United States of America. Zimbabwe's condition would improve if there were no attempts at economic warfare. The ZiG as it is known was not the first attempt at a new currency. Six attempts have been made since 2008. The gold currency might have a better chance of survival. Gold is still valuable and having a currency backed by it could  generate trust in the public. The majority of transactions continue to be done in US dollars. The difference now is that Zimbabwe according to its central bank has 2,1 tons of gold. Zimbabwe also contains diamonds. Natural resources are the key to economic stability and development. Getting membership to the New Development Bank could provide further solutions to economic challenges. Further changes have to be made if the multi-currency system is to be discarded. The 2019 ban on foreign currencies as legal tender was designed to challenge foreign influence in Zimbabwe's economic policy. Global market inflation forced Zimbabwe to reverse the policy in 2022. Zimbabwe has been under US sanctions since 2003. The European Council has renewed restrictive measures against Zimbabwe. the claim is that it is a mere arms embargo, but most EU countries do not want to do business with Zimbabwe. The direct development cooperation ceased and that directly effects the people of Zimbabwe. When a country is blacklisted by sanctions this makes other countries hesitant to invest. They fear retaliation from other powers. The world is gradually moving into an era of de-dollarization and Zimbabwe sees this as an opportunity. If the Zimbabwe Gold is successful other African nations might try to replicate a similar economy policy. 

Lee Kuan Yew Discusses Southern African Liberation Struggle (1966)

 

Zimbabwe and South Africa were  during the 1960s attempting to liberate themselves from white minority rule. The racial oppression could not be hidden . African and Asian leaders took notice. Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew of Singapore spoke on the matter of white minority rule in Southern Africa. The people of Zimbabwe he stated would have to form their own Viet Cong. No one was coming to help free Africans in the white minority regimes. While China and Russia did provide aid to liberation movements, it was the job of the colonized to free themselves. Prime Minister Yew predicted that the Rhodesian Bush War would last a long time. The war lasted from 1964 to 1979. The Zimbabwe National Liberation Army and Zimbabwe' People's Revolutionary had to fight an extended conflict to defeat colonialism. This parallels the Vietnam War. The war in Indochina lasted from 1954 to 1975. Both were caught up in Cold War geopolitical maneuvers between the superpowers. Lee Kuan Yew expressed once the liberation movement becomes formidable, then the world will take notice.   

Zimbabwe and Belarus Are Collaborating In The Agricultural Sector

 

Zimbabwe and Belarus are enhancing economic ties. The agricultural sector will see an increase in collaboration between the two countries. Belarus intends to send more tractors, trucks,  seed drills, and grain harvesters to Zimbabwe. Belarus also wants to extend diplomatic relations. The reason for this is due to the fact the two nations face sanctions from European countries. Belarus has become more isolated over the years in Europe. The only reliable ally in Europe for Belarus is Russia. Looking to nations out of Europe ensures that the country will not be a victim of economic warfare. Zimbabwe has been able to resist decades of sanctions. Since 2000, there has been an effort to get land back into the hands of Africans in Zimbabwe. White farmers under white  minority rule stole the wealth of the Zimbabweans. Gaining equipment and training a new generation of framers has significant benefit. Land reform and increase in exports will improve Zimbabwe's economic situation. Through agriculture Zimbabwe can increase food security and ensure stable employment levels. The collaboration began  around 2020. A new approach is being taken with Zimbabwe. Open dialogue and mutually beneficial economic agreements is the best form of diplomacy. The EU continues to isolate Zimbabwe and Belarus. As a result many countries are missing economic opportunities who favor sanctions on these nations. If all the terms of the agreements are met, Zimbabwe could see immense growth in its agricultural sector.      

President Uhuru Kenyatta Calls For An End To Sanctions on Zimbabwe

 

President Kenyatta demanded that sanctions placed on Zimbabwe be lifted. Kenya has shown a level of solidarity with another African state, that could be setting a change in foreign policy. Zimbabwe has been under sanctions since 2002 and it has contributed to harming its economy. The reason the UK and US imposed sanctions was based on the elections of 2002, which they claimed were fraudulent. The real motive was about land distribution and the fact that the UK in particular did not honor the Lancaster House Agreement. At the time, President Robert Mugabe took the land that was suppose to be given to those who were victim of the 1960s land theft from white settlers. President Emmerson Mnangagwa  wants to see sanctions lifted, but not at the expense of Zimbabwe's sovereignty. African leaders are growing tired of sanctions imposed by the West arbitrarily. Besides mentioning Zimbabwe, President Uhuru Kenyatta also stated he would like to see sanctions lifted on Sudan and Cuba. Imposing sanctions for  political disagreement or regime change should be considered a violation of international law. Making the people suffer by denying an economic lifeline or basic supplies is a human rights violation. Nations that seek investment in a sanctioned nation could find themselves facing penalties.  Other leaders may join President Kenyatta to put an end to sanctions that clearly have an ulterior motive in mind. Overtime diplomatic relations between Kenya and Zimbabwe may become stronger.