— On Sat, 6/21/08, Chifu wrote:

Zimbabwe’s election: an African appeal
openDemocracy

African civil-society leaders, uniting to call for a free election process and an end to violence in Zimbabwe, invite members of the global public to support an open letter 20 – 06 – 2008

It is crucial for the interests of both Zimbabwe and Africa that the elections on 27 June 2008 are free and fair.

Zimbabweans fought for liberation in order to be able to determine their own future. Great sacrifices were made during the liberation struggle. To live up to the aspirations of those who sacrificed, it is vital that nothing is done to deny the legitimate expression of the will of the people of Zimbabwe.

As Africans we consider the forthcoming elections to be critical. We are aware of the attention of the world. More significantly we are conscious of the huge number of Africans who want to see a stable, democratic and peaceful  Zimbabwe.

Consequently, we are deeply troubled by the current reports of intimidation, harassment and violence. It is vital that the appropriate conditions are created so that the presidential run-off is conducted in a peaceful, free and fair manner. Only then can the political parties conduct their election campaigning in a way that enables the citizens to express freely their political will.

In this context, we call for an end to the violence and intimidation, and the restoration of full access for humanitarian and aid agencies.

To this end it will be necessary to have an adequate number of independent electoral observers, both during the election process and to verify the results.

Whatever the outcome of the election, it will be vital for all Zimbabweans to come together in a spirit of reconciliation to secure Zimbabwe’s future.

We further call upon African leaders at all levels -  pan-African, regional and national – and their institutions to ensure the achievement of these objectives.

All the initial signatories of this letter have added their names in a personal capacity rather than in their organisational role.

All individual members of the global public, and civil-society groups, are invited to endorse the letter here. This appeal is an African initiative supported by the Mo Ibrahim Foundation The signatories are:

Abdusalami Alhaji Abubakar, former president of Nigeria (1998-99)

Kofi Annan, former secretary-general of the United Nations (1997-2007), Nobel laureate and member of The Elders

Kwame Appiah, Laurence S. Rockefeller professor of philosophy at Princeton University

Boutros Boutros-Ghali, former secretary-general of the United Nations (1992-97)

Lakhdar Brahimi, former United Nations special representative for Afghanistan, Haiti, Iraq and South  Africa, and member of The Elders

Pierre Buyoya, former president of Burundi (1987-93, 1996-2003)

Joaquim Chissano, former president of Mozambique (1986-2005)

Achmat Dangor, author and chief executive of the Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund

John Githongo, former permanent secretary for governance and ethics in Kenya

Richard Goldstone, former judge of the Constitutional Court of South Africa

Mo Ibrahim, founder of Celtel International and founder of the Mo Ibrahim Foundation

Sam Jonah Former, chief executive of the Ashanti Goldfields Corporation

William Kalema, chairman of the Uganda Investment Authority

Among openDemocracy’ s many articles on Zimbabwe under Robert Mugabe:

Bev Clark, “Mass evictions in Zimbabwe” (13 June 2005),

Netsai Mushonga, ” Two nights in Harare’s police cells” (5 December 2005),

Andrew Meldrum, ” Zimbabwe between past and future” (23 June  2006),

Conor O’Loughlin, ” Zimbabwean travails” (13 September 2006),

Wilf Mbanga, ” Happy birthday, Robert Mugabe” (21 February 2007),

Stephen Chan, ” Farewell, Robert Mugabe” (20 March 2007),

Michael Holman, ” Dizzy worms in Zimbabwe” (13 September 2007), The Zimbabwean,

” Zimbabwe votes – and waits” (31 March 2008), Wilf Mbanga,

” Zimbabwe’s unfolding drama” (7 April 2008), Roger Southall,

” South Africa and Zimbabwe: the end of `quiet diplomacy’?” (29 April 2008)

Kenneth David Kaunda, former president of Zambia (1964-91)

Angelique Kidjo, musician and Unicef goodwill ambassador

Wangari Maathai, founder of the Green Belt Movement and Nobel laureate

Graça Machel, president of the Foundation for Community Development and member of The Elders

Thabo Cecil Makgoba, Anglican Archbishop of Cape Town

Ketumile Masire, former president of Botswana  (1980-98)

Moeletsi Mbeki, deputy chairman of the South African Institute of International Affairs

Benjamin William Mkapa, former president of Tanzania (1995-2005)

Festus Mogae, former president of Botswana (1998-2008)

António Mascarenhas Monteiro, former president of Cape Verde (1991-2001)

Elson Bakili Muluzi, former president of Malawi (1994-2004)

Ali Hassan Mwinyi, former president of Tanzania (1985-95)

Kumi Naidoo, secretary-general of Civicus

Domitien Ndayizeye, former president of Burundi (2003 – 05)

Babacar Ndiaye, former president of the African Development Bank

Youssou N’Dour, musician and Unicef goodwill ambassador

Njongonkulu Ndungane, former Archbishop of Cape Town and founder of the African Monitor

Moustapha Niasse, former prime minister of Senegal (1983, 2000-01)

Loyiso Nongxa, vice-chancellor and principal of the University of  the Witwatersrand

Karl Offmann, former president of Mauritius (2002-03)

Mamphela Ramphele, former managing director of the World Bank and former vice-chancellor of the University of Cape Town

Jerry John Rawlings, former President of Ghana (1993-2001)

Johann Rupert, chairman of Remgro Limited

Mohammed Sahnoun, former UN/OAU special representative for the Great Lakes region of Africa and former assistant secretary-general of the OAU

Salim Ahmed Salim, former prime minister of Tanzania (1994-95) and former secretary-general of the OAU (1989-2001)

John Sentamu, Archbishop of York

Nicéphore Dieudonné Soglo. former president of Benin (1991-96)

Miguel Trovoada, former president of São Tomé & Príncipe (1991-2001)

Desmond Tutu, Nobel laureate and chairman of The Elders

Cassam Uteem, former president of Mauritius (1992-2002)

Zwelinzima Vavi, general-secretary  of the Congress of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu)

Joseph Sinde Warioba, former prime minister of Tanzania (1985-90)

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From: Chifu chifu2222@ . . .
Subject: Zimbabwe’s election: an African appeal
Date: Saturday, June 21, 2008, 11:58 PM

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— On Sun, 6/22/08, odhiambo okecth wrote:

The case of Zimbabwe is now beyond the call for more sanctions as some African leaders are calling.

Over the years, sanctions on Zimbabwe is hurting the common man, who now finds himself unable to buy common household items. The prices of all items is way too much, and inflation is beyond common sense.

What we need in Zimbabwe is simple; drive Mugabe out of town, and save the people from this man.

Mugabe is an eyesore. He is worse than all the common dictators that have ever ruled in Africa. If the world could unite against Saddam Hussein, and Saddam never ruined Iraq the way Mugabe has ruined Zimbabwe, then why can the world not unite against Mugabe and send him packing?

In 1981 when Zimbabwe attained Independence, that country was the jewel of Africa. Who could imagine that Zimbabwe could be driven down so massively in such a short while?

The damage Mugabe has inflicted on the people of Zimbabwe  defies  any more call for sanctions; it defies any human reasoning; it defies being nice to the man who has brought this on the people of Zimbabwe. Maybe the man is not human, after all.

The world must unite to drive Mugabe out of Zimbabwe, no more talk.

Odhiambo T Oketch
Komarock Nairobi.

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From: odhiambo okecth
Subject: Zimbabwe’s election; an African appeal
Date: Sunday, June 22, 2008, 5:03 AM

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— On Sun, 6/22/08, Africare- NewPublications wrote:

Odhiambo,
 
Zimbabwe crisis. Is it about Mugabe or western machinations?
 
Can we Africans, before blindly critiquing Mugabe, spell out clearly what the man has done to destroy the economy? In other words, what African economic forces were there and operating effectively that president Mugabe destroyed, leading to the country’s economic collapsed?
 
ARJP

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From: Africare- NewPublications
Subject: Re: Zimbabwe’s election; an African appeal
Date: Sunday, June 22, 2008, 2:52 AM

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— On Sun, 6/22/08, odhiambo okecth wrote:

ARJP,

We all want the best for Africa.

In this, we must have visionary leaders, leaders who can take us up to the next level. Not leaders who ground our aspirations.

Everybody knows that Zimbabwe was the jewel of Africa in 1981 when Mugabe took over. It is an eye sore now. The prices of essential commodities are way beyond the reach of many, and we need not belabour this.

There is nothing that you can be proud of in Zimbabwe, and time has come for us not to blame the white man for our own shortcomings. If one of us fails, we must not pass the buck.

We must face reality and address the situation. Only then will Africa make a difference in the world.

Does it concern you that an African has NEVER invented anything? Not even the needle that we use.

Time has come for we people to take charge. We only take charge by throwing into the ocean despots like Mugabe who drive our pride as Africans to  the dogs. Mugabe makes the world to look at the African in a very different way.

We must not give him the pleasure of ruining our African pride after messing up with Zimbabwe.

It is time we all stood up tall and proud in defense of Africa. What legacy do we want to leave to our children?

Mugabe is an eyesore to Africa, and the faster we combine forces to remove him the better.

Odhiambo T Oketch
Komarock Nairobi

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From: odhiambo okecth
Subject: Re: Zimbabwe’s election; an African appeal
Date: Sunday, June 22, 2008, 6:24 AM

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— On Sun, 6/22/08, Africare- NewPublications wrote:
            Odhiambo,
 
How are we blaming whites for our own “shortcomings” when you ably says: “Everybody knows that Zimbabwe was the jewel of Africa in 1981 when Mugabe took over.”
 
In other words, given Zimbabwe got independent in 1980, you are saying that Zimbabwe should have remained un-independent? ! So we ask, are you saying African liberation struggles were struggles that should not have been carried out?
 
And you very well intelligently asked: “Does it concern you that an African has NEVER invented anything? Not even the needle that we use.”
 
Odhiambo, how many of the millions African-Americans in US prisons invented anything? Can Africans herded up on dry arid land in Zimbabwe; living in Shanty Towns throughout the continent; living in huge slums in Kenya, et al invent anything? If so, what exactly have they invented? Could you provide us with the data please?
 
It buffles reading you, of all people, yap about African pride, and questioning why Africans haven’t invented anything!
 
Millions of Zimbabweans were to you, “proudly” residences of Shanty Towns around Harare; “proudly” resident members populating dry arid land around the country, where they could not even produce dodo vegetables! We should therefore, defend that “pride”, and keep them in these places while the white society bake themselves in affluence couched on African wealth natives cannot access for virtue of colonization and imperialism?
 
We asked you what African economic forces were there in Zimbabwe that president Mugabe destroyed leading to the economic collapsed of the country, and all you rejoin is about defending a non existent “pride”? Come on now Odhiambo!
 
Are you having some cool social drink gathering in and around Muthare dumping ground or what?
 
NO, we are not belittling you, but having straight questions for we need straight answers.
 
ARJP

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From: Africare- NewPublications
Subject: Re: Re: Zimbabwe’s election; an African appeal
Date: Sunday, June 22, 2008, 3:59 AM

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— On Sun, 6/22/08, odhiambo okecth wrote:
            ARJP,

You did not ask any question that I did not respond to.

However,
………… ……… ……… ………
It is a free world. If you feel Mugabe is great, ride on brother.

As for me and my family, Mugabe is better off the scene.

oto

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From: odhiambo okecth
Subject: Re: Re: Zimbabwe’s election; an African appeal
Date: Sunday, June 22, 2008, 4:12 AM

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ARJP,

Whoever you are, you are not funny at all: Does it mean if an African is killing a fellow African he is right?. Or does it mean that if an African is destroying what whites built in Africa, or places for jobs built by whites he is just right?. Does it mean that if a stupid African like Mugabe is kicking whites out of Zimbabwe and replacing them with Chinese he is just right?. I was very suprised to read also the same low life mind of thinking during post election violence in Kenya, when a fellow Kenyan told us through the internet that Britain was against Kibaki`s second term, because Kibaki`s government has given all the tenders and even oil exploration to Chinese instead of whites. So this Kenyan was proud that at least Kibaki has done something great. Is it greatness when Kenyans are lingering abroad or in the country without proper jobs while Chinese are taking all the exploration jobs in the country and even road building type of jobs etc ?.

The first quality of a leader is great knowledge. A man is not born a leader. A competent leader can get efficient service from poor employees, while, on the contrary, an inept leader can and will demoralize the best just as MUgabe is doing now. These words I have put for you will explain to you why an African has not even invented a needle. The day Africans will know that they have been electing stupid leaders or lead by some invalids, that the day they will start making their own needles. And do not forget that university like Timbuktu were in African soil before any university was built in other continents. Africans should have leaders who have  proven themselves competent and Mugabe has over lived his usefulness for heavenly sake, the man is over 80 years old. Medically, biologically  his brain cells are already degenerating so what do you expect out of that brain?. And this is also a lesson to Kenya, those who want to over stay as leaders, Mps, civil servants etc  should be kicked out and give way to the young generations who can invent things or bring new ideas. It is a shame when our leaders keep on begging from European countries, USA, Chinese almost everything ( from education, scholarships, money, machinaries, technology you name it)  at the same time they are thwarting fresh younger AFRICAN BRAINS WHICH CAN BRING TO THEIR COUNTRIES THE SAME THINGS THEY ARE ASKING FROM WHITES.

Paul Nyandoto.

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Date:  Sun, 22 Jun 2008 14:59:11 +0300
From:  Paul Nyandoto
Subject:   Vs: Re: Zimbabwe’s election; an African appeal

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— On Sun, 6/22/08, Africare- NewPublications wrote:

Don’t be a joke.

“Can we Africans, before blindly critiquing Mugabe, spell out clearly what the man has done to destroy the economy? In other words, what African economic forces were there and operating effectively that president Mugabe destroyed, leading to the country’s economic collapsed?”

                ARJP

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From: Africare- NewPublications
Subject: Re: Fw:Zimbabwe’s election; an African appeal
Date: Sunday, June 22, 2008, 4:29 AM

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I am not a joke. I am real. The economy of Zimbabwe is in tatters thanks to your Mugabe.

You need to have 10 million Mugabe money to buy a simple Newspaper.

You need to have 20 million Mugabe money to buy bread.

You need to have 30 million Mugabe money to have lunch.

You need to have 40 million Mugabe money to buy Petrol.

You need to have 50 million Mugabe money to ……………….

What economy are you talking about. Water, electricity, and services are not functional in Zimbabwe, thanks to Robert Mugabe.

Freedom of choice which is universal to all human is alien to the people of Zimbabwe, thanks to Comrade Bob.

How do you define a working economy? You need to have access to basic issues of life at affordable prices. You need to have equal access to all opportunities. In Mugabeland, this is not the case.

And you repeat talking about the economy! Maybe, we come from two different schools; one where a good economy means non affordability of essential things, and mine where economy means economy.

In the midst of all this, you want me to spell out more clearly what your Mugabe has done to ruin the economy?

You must now be the joke.

Oto

– – –
From: odhiambo okecth
sent: Sunday, June 22, 2008 1:59 PM
Subject: Re: Fw: Re: Zimbabwe’s election; an African appeal

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http://africanpress.wordpress.com/2008/06/22/political-discussions-with-great-relevance-for-africa/

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Date:  Sun, 22 Jun 2008 14:58:46 +0200
From:  “African Press International (API)”
Subject:   Re: Zimbabwe’s election; an African appeal