ZIMBABWE’S PRIME minister, Morgan Tsvangirai, yesterday made his first call for an end to international sanctions, part of his bid to start rebuilding the shattered economy.
Mr Tsvangirai, who joined President Robert Mugabe in a unity government last month, said in his maiden speech to parliament that Zimbabwean efforts to solve the country’s political crisis through powersharing needed to be recognised.
“I therefore urge the international community to recognise our efforts and note the progress that we make in this regard and to match our progress by moving towards the removal of restrictive measures,” Mr Tsvangirai said.
The United States and the European Union have put in place targeted sanctions against certain individuals close to Mr Mugabe and some Zimbabwean companies.
“What we need is to fully re-establish relations with the international donor community, which will be respectful of our sovereignty, not a relationship essentially based on humanitarian assistance.”
But he acknowledged that the continuing detention of political prisoners was making it difficult for Zimbabwe’s new government to secure the funds needed to revive the economy. Many potential donors were not yet convinced of the coalition’s authenticity, or that the former political rivals could work together.
“No donor country or institution is going to offer any meaningful assistance unless our new government projects a positive image. Brutal suppression, wanton arrests and political persecution impede our ability to rebuild our economy to generate wealth for all,” he said.
Mr Tsvangirai’s comments came less than a day after Roy Bennett, one of his top aides and the MDC’s nominee for deputy minister of agriculture, was kept behind bars despite being granted bail by the high court.
Mr Bennett, who is one of Mr Mugabe’s strongest critics, was arrested on February 13th as the president was swearing in new ministers from both parties into the coalition government.
The tobacco farmer is one of 31 human rights activists and MDC party members who have been arrested since last October and charged with attempting to overthrow the previous government, which Mr Mugabe led.
Following Tuesday’s high court ruling, state prosecutor Chris Mutangadura said he would challenge the decision and apply to the Supreme Court to keep Mr Bennett from being freed.
While seven political prisoners have been freed on bail since Friday, including top rights activist Jestina Mukoko, who alleged she was tortured, the other 24 must remain in jail.
In his speech, Mr Tsvangirai insisted that those who now remained behind bars were being punished before conviction.
“If indeed there is sufficient evidence supporting the allegations against them, their respective trials must be given precedence in the national interest.
“The days of the police wantonly and violently breaking up peaceful demonstrations and gatherings and needlessly imprisoning innocent Zimbabweans must now come to an end,” he said.