British Ambassador to Zimbabwe Ms Melanie Robinson
yesterday paid a courtesy call on Vice President Constantino Chiwenga where
they discussed various issues, including reforms being implemented by the Government
and the humanitarian situation in the country.
Ms Robinson, who was accompanied by the head of the
Department for International Development Ms Cate Turton, said her country
wanted Zimbabwe to succeed.
“We had a very good conversation. I had the opportunity to
say to the Vice President that the UK above all, wants to see Zimbabwe
succeed,” she said.
“We want to see a pathway towards a more prosperous
democratic and peaceful future and for us that means pursuing the reforms with
vigour, both political and economic reforms.”
The reform programme being implemented by the Government
has seen various laws being passed in Parliament that include the Maintenance
of Peace and Order Act, the Zimbabwe Development Agency Bill and the Companies
and other Entities Act.
MOPA repealed the Public Order and Security Act (POSA) as
part of measures to open up democratic space and regulate gatherings and
demonstrations.
Ms Robinson said the British government had committed £54
million for humanitarian assistance to Zimbabwe. “We also had a chance to talk
about the humanitarian situation in the country and our concern is that there
are people who are food insecure and there are people who are struggling with
health and education.
“As the UK, we are providing £49 million for the food
situation and a further £5 million for health, to prevent cholera outbreak,” Ms
Robinson said.
“We talked about what we have been doing and we asked the
VP to share information about what Government is doing and to provide
information on what is available in the grain stores so that we can coordinate
our efforts in the interest of Zimbabwean people.
“He (VP Chiwenga) said he is very concerned about the
situation and in a practical way organised a meeting with us in the coming days
to share that information and we will be doing that with the head of the DFID
Cate Turton.” She reiterated the British’s desire for Zimbabwe to rejoin the
Commonwealth.
“We discussed the Commonwealth and as I said from the
beginning, the UK has been very clear. We would want to see Zimbabwe back in
the Commonwealth.
“At the point, the economic and political reform programme
of the Government has been completed and we have seen the progress, that will
be the time to look at membership.” Herald
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