Bishops want action on Zim

2004-08-11 20:15

Durban - Stronger action was needed to end the "ongoing human suffering" in Zimbabwe and Sudan, the Southern African Catholic Bishops Conference (SACBC) said on Wednesday.

"The Catholic bishops decry the ongoing human suffering of their brothers and sisters in Zimbabwe and Sudan, and calls on Southern African Development Community governments, the African Union (AU) and the United Nations to take stronger action, including the consideration of targeted sanctions," a statement said.

The statement followed the conclusion of a meeting of the bishops of the region at Mariannhill, outside Durban.

Generation of refugees

"The Zimbabwe situation of starvation and malnutrition, wilful political violence and intimidation, and the immoral use of food aid by the Zimbabwean government demands stronger and transparent intervention by African governments through the AU," the statement said.

It said a generation of refugees had been created through three million people being displaced as a result of the crisis in Zimbabwe and the situation "cannot be allowed to continue".

It urged the government of Zimbabwe to "care for its own people".

"In addition, strong measures must be taken by the international community to ensure a meaningful and honest election in Zimbabwe in 2005, especially through sustained independent international and regional monitoring of the pre-election process as a pre-requisite for validating the election itself."

Zimbabwe has been under the spotlight following an economic, political and food crisis brought on by a severe drought, a controversial land reform programme, spiralling inflation and currency shortages that hampered the purchase of fuel and other vital imported items.

The last presidential election was also marred by allegations of vote rigging.

The bishops also called on the AU to take action against the government of Sudan and exclude it from all AU organs since a United Nations (UN) investigation said there was "no doubt" that the government was responsible for alleged human rights violations in the country's western region of Darfur.

According to a UN resolution, the Khartoum government has 30 days to stop atrocities by the Janjaweed militia, blamed for brutality in Darfur.

- SAPA