A Civil Society Organisation yesterday called for an attention on the state of affairs of Zimbabwe to the Southern African Development Community (SADC).
The call by Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition (CiZC), presented to the SADC chairperson, Hage Geingob in Windhoek, Namibia, comes at a time when Zimbabwe faces economic challenges including a debt crisis and a growing budget deficit.
“This brief seeks to draw your attention to the urgent need for SADC to assist Zimbabwe realise its potential by addressing the political and economic challenges currently facing the country” CiZC chairperson Rashid Mahiya said.
“Over the past 20 years, Zimbabwe has been facing a prolonged political and economic crisis. Violations of human rights and the collapse of the economy have resulted in the millions of citizens seeking refuge in neighboring countries and beyond.”
The Zimbabwean CSO proposed that SADC should consider supporting internal and inclusive stakeholders dialogue in Zimbabwe.
“It is our conviction that the dialogue process must involve all stakeholders and a national visioning process that has civil society, government, political parties, business, religious groups and labour unions among other critical stakeholders on board,” Mahiya proposed.
“SADC should promote and support efforts at arresting the economic downturn in Zimbabwe and encourage Zimbabwe to adopt and implement pro-poor inclusive economic development policies.”
“Efforts at economic transformation, stabilisation and growth should meet the expectations of the SADC objective of achieving sustained ‘Economic Growth and Sustainable Development so that people in the region have better living standards and employment opportunities.”
CiZC says it fears that if the situation continues unchecked, there are greater chances of social unrest and instability in Zimbabwe.
“There is a perpetual economic meltdown which has resulted in high levels of inflation and an increase in domestic debt which has compromised the government’s capacity for the provision of social services,” Mahiya said. “If left unresolved this has economic, social and security effects at a regional level. We, however, acknowledge efforts at attracting foreign and local investments.”
