African Court conducts sensitisation workshops and seminars in Zimbabwe

The African Court on Human and People’s Rights (AfCHPR) is in Zimbabwe on a sensitisation mission with a view of promoting the Pan African Judicial Organ. “These visits will help raise awareness of the Court’s existence and encourage African States to ratify the Protocol establishing the Court and make the Declaration to allow individuals and…

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The Association of Secretaries-General of African Parliaments elects new leadership

By Staff Reporter The Association of Secretaries-General of African Parliaments (ASGAP) recently elected the new leadership during the Ordinary Session of the Permanent Committee Sittings of the Pan African Parliament Fifth Parliament in Midrand, South Africa. According to their constitution ASGAP is an institution-based and a consultative forum, established by voluntarily association under the auspices…

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Dedicate more time to issues of refugees and forced displacements: African Parliamentarians

Delegates at the just ended 10th Conference of Speakers of African Assemblies and Senates have proposed an extension to the dedication period regarding this year’s African Union theme on forced migration. The African Union theme for this year is “Finding durable solutions to forced migration to accelerate integration and development in Africa: the role of…

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Özersay: “Maybe it is about time that we make a change in our current paradigm”

Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Kudret Özersay received Turkish Minister of Defence Hulusi Akar, Chief of General Staff, Full General Yaşar Güler as well as the Commanders of the Turkish Air, Land and Naval Forces. Stating that the visit of Minister Akar, Chief of General Staff Full…

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Zimbabwe wants and deserves a robust opposition

MDC Alliance Raises Red Flag On Grant Under the Political Parties Finance Act

The MDC alliance has described  as “brazen act of political thuggery” the move by government to withhold the MDC grant entitled to the party under the Political Parties Finance Act while Zanu PF has already been paid their dues. The party reported that the past one week has seen top MDC officials being sent from…

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ZESN Statement on recent by-elections

As part of its comprehensive efforts to observe the Lupane East Constituency National Assembly, Nkayi Rural District Council (RDC) Ward 23 and Bubi RDC Ward 22 by-elections,  for the Lupane East constituency by-election, the Zimbabwe Election Support Network (ZESN) deployed 14 long-term observers who also observed at the ward collation centre on Election Day and…

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PAP Committee on Cooperation heads to Egypt for August Sittings

Peace and Security status on the continent will take centre stage in Egypt when the Committee on Cooperation, International Relations and Conflict Resolutions meets in Cairo as part of the August Sittings of the Permanent Committees of the 5th Parliament of the Pan African Parliament (PAP), from 02 to 10 August 2019. Hosted by the Egyptian…

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Zimbabwe: One year on, no justice for those killed by soldiers in post-election demonstrations

One year on, the soldiers who opened fire on protesters in the aftermath of the general elections, killing at least six of them and causing injuries to scores more, have still not been held accountable for their actions, Amnesty International said today. The army, which was illegally deployed, used live ammunition to disperse protests in…

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IRI/NDI Assess Zimbabwe’s Electoral Reform Process

The International Republican Institute (IRI) and the National Democratic Institute (NDI) fielded a three-person delegation to Zimbabwe to provide an impartial assessment of the status of Zimbabwe’s electoral reform agenda at approximately one year following the country’s 2018 “harmonised” elections. The delegation met with a variety of stakeholders to monitor and benchmark progress achieved since…

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North-East Nigeria: A decade of conflict takes heavy toll on the population, many people now suffering from mental illness

Effects of a decade long conflict in Borno State begin to show as some of 1,8 million displaced people now suffer from mental illnesses. The effects of a decade long conflict in Northeast Nigeria between the military and armed groups, are beginning to show as some of the 1,8 million displaced people, are now suffering…

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Dilemmas of a girl child in rural Zimbabwe: Young souls enduring emotional trauma in early marriages

By Joyce Mukucha Without the active participation of women and incorporation of women’s perspectives at all levels, the Beijing Platform for Action 1995 states that the goal of equality, expansion and peace cannot be achieved. It is tear jerking that a girl child residing in rural Zimbabwe continues to endure male chauvinism in addition to…

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Non-Legislative Business in the National Assembly in June

By Veritas Our recent Bill Watch bulletins have concentrated on either Parliamentary progress on Bills [Bill Watches Nos 29, 30, 31] or SI 142’s unexpected reintroduction of the Zimbabwe dollar [ZWL] as the sole legal tender in the country on 24th June [Bill Watches Nos. 32 and 33].  This bulletin sketches non-legislative business in the National…

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ZESN condemns suspected vote-buying ahead of the Lupane East by-election

The Zimbabwe Election Support Network (ZESN) has voiced concern over the purported request by the ZANU PF Political Commissariat for medicine supplies at local clinics as assistance in respect of the Lupane East by-election campaign scheduled for 3 August 2019. In a statement ZESN said whilst it acknowledges the right for political parties to solicit…

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MDC orders status quo, pending due process and investigations in Bulawayo

The MDC has said it noted with serious concern the developments within Bulawayo City Council where the Town Clerk has been suspended. Party Spokesperson, Daniel Molokele said his party believes in Constitutionalism, due process, the rule of law and zero tolerance to corruption. “The party leadership has directed that the status quo ante be upheld, in…

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Media should drive progressive socio-economic and democratic agenda in the country: Parajuli

By Byron Mutingwende The media plays an important role in defining common denominator in promoting national interest and setting progressive socio-economic and democratic agenda in the country, United Nations Resident Coordinator in Zimbabwe has said. “The role of media, including the newsprint, electronic and online/digital entities, cannot be over-emphasised in national development, which involves advancement…

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ZPP bemoans discrimination in food distribution

The Zimbabwe Peace Project (ZPP) has bemoaned discrimination prevalent in the distribution of food assistance as the inputs and food aid are channelled through local and traditional structures. ZPP said it has over the years documented numerous cases of destitute and marginalised citizens of Zimbabwe being unlawfully denied social welfare assistance, solely on the basis…

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AU Summit: President Adesina to lead AfDB’s delegation, AfCFTA talks to top summit agenda

The Bank will also participate in the meetings of the 37th NEPAD Heads of state and Government Orientation Committee African Development Bank Group (www.AfDB.org) President Akinwumi Adesina will next week lead a delegation of top Bank officials to the extraordinary summit of Heads of State and Government of the African Union (AU) in Niger’s capital,…

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Joshua Nkomo’s legacy lives on as Bualawayo City hosts “Umdala Wethu Dance”

By Farai Chirimumimba The late Vice-President Dr. Joshua Nkoma is being remembered, as July 1st 2019, marks 20 years since the popular national liberation hero died at a local hospital aged 82 .His death shocked the country and triggered a flood of grief. Joshua Nkomo’s family have created a foundation in his owner and on…

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Zimbabwe still hasn’t adopted UN Convention Against Torture: Why the delay?

By Veritas Introduction 26th June was  the International Day in Support of Torture Victims Yet another 26th June has come and gone without Zimbabwe having adopted the United Nations Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment [CAT].   Previous Government undertakings and assurances given to the UN Human Rights Committee and…

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Youths Amplify Fight for Government’s Attention

Founding President of Youth Voice Mass Movement and the Young People’s Program Zimbabwe Youth Association, Tinashe Nyagunzu has said youths remain unperturbed in their efforts to be engaged in the governance of affairs and fight against anything that is hindering the country’s progress. Addressing a press briefing, Nyagunzu lamented the lack of peace of mind…

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Pan-African Parliament joins global parliamentary consultations on topical issues

26th annual Inter-parliamentary Assembly on Orthodoxy begins its work in Tbilisi The Pan-African African Parliament (PAP) is among international Parliamentary organisations invited to take part in the 26th Inter-parliamentary Assembly on Orthodoxy (I.A.O) currently underway in Tbilisi, Georgia. The Assembly is being held from 19 to 23 June 2019 under the theme: “The contribution of…

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Commissions of Inquiry in Zimbabwe – no action no gain, a waste of resources

By Farai Chirimumimba It has become clear that power is vested with the people. Therefore let the people and not resource sucking commissions of inquiry take responsibility. The Zimbabwe propensity to rely on commissions of inquiry that sadly never resolve crises, redress gross mismanagement and punish wrongdoers is no longer sustainable as it never worked….

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ZESN Lupane East National Assembly By-election Nomination Court Update

On 14 June 2019, ZESN observed the Nomination Court proceedings for the Lupane East National Assembly by-election scheduled to be held on 3 August 2019. The seat fell vacant following the death of Sithembile Gumbo of the Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front (ZANU-PF), who was the Member of Parliament (MP) on 5 April 2018. Veritas…

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Religious Organisations Condemn Mass Demonstrations and Protests

By Tatenda Mujeyi Religious organisations convened a prayer meeting at Mabvuku Salvation Army Church yesterday and condemned the calls by some opposition parties to stage mass demonstrations and protests. The prayer which was coordinated by Women Intercessors Network (WIN) under the theme ‘Prayer for peace’ was attended by other religious groups including Destiny for Africa…

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World Refugee Day commemoration at the Pan-African Parliament

The Department of Home Affairs of the Republic of South Africa, the Pan-African Parliament (PAP), the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) and UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency will commemorate the World Refugee Day at the Pan-African Parliament (Midrand) on 20 June. In line with the African Union 2019 theme “Year of Refugees, Returnees and Internally…

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Credible, inclusive and comprehensive national dialogue critical to Zimbabwe’s international re-engagement agenda: ZCC

By Byron Mutingwende   A credible, inclusive and comprehensive national dialogue is important for the country’s international re-engagement agenda, the Zimbabwe Council of Churches (ZCC) has said.   Dr Solomon Muqayi, a Senior Lecturer at the University of Zimbabwe speaking at the Second National Economic Dialogue series under the topic “Zimbabwe’s International Re-engagement Agenda: A…

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