Memorandum of Understanding?

Zimbabwean dictator, Robert Mugabe, and opposition leaders Morgan Tsvangirai and Arthur Mutambara signed a memorandum of understanding on Monday, 21 July. Pictures were posted in the government run newspaper of Mugabe and Tsvangirai shaking hands after signing this  'historic' agreement'. Both parties, Zanu PF and MDC, have agreed to talk through possible power-sharing solutions, and will focus on reducing violence, easing political tension, and solving the hyperinflationary economy.

Yet in the days following the agreement, 'shock and suspicion' has permeated the streets of Harare according to the UK Times. Was this truly a memorandum of understanding or a ploy of trickery? All over Zimbabwe, citizens have looked on in wonder, skeptical of Mugabe's willingness to enter into talks with the opposition. Reports of a national unity government have raised fears that the past will repeat itself.

In the late 1980s, Joseph Nkomo's Zapu party was assimilated into Zanu PF after a Mugabe-backed pogrom left 20,000 civilians dead. The violence targeted the Ndebele people of western Zimbabwe, most of whom were supporters of their leader Nkomo and his Zapu party. Tsvangirai cannot allow this to happen to his MDC if there is to be a positive change in the current crisis.

Yet despite the past, there is always hope in the future. Perhaps the memorandum is the first stepping-stone in the right direction. Ideally, the talks following the memorandum will constitute a transitory government that will oversee new democratic elections. As long as these elections are free and fair, Zanu PF will be ousted and hope will rise for Zimbabwe.

In the most desperate of times, we must hold onto hope. Sometimes that is all we have. For Zimbabwe, hope is sustaining force of continuance. The people will continue, the country will continue because hope continues. Please consider joining Zimbabweans in their hopeful struggle for peace. Visit eliasfund.org for more info...

'Thank You' from Zimbabwe

Here's a little message from a few of our students in Zim. Please check out the Elias Fund for more info on the organization. And stay current with all things EF through our new official blog. Thanks!

The Crisis Grows (from the Elias Fund Blog)

International concern has percolated media attention of the growing political crisis in Zimbabwe. As a result, people are beginning to comprehend the humanitarian disaster that is Zimbabwe.

Human rights groups are reporting that 114 people have been killed and thousands tortured over the past three months in politically related violence. It is estimated that 200,000 people have been displaced and left homeless in the wake of the most recent surge of oppression. The mounting violence is of course the outcome of what Robert Mugabe, in power since 1980, considers political campaigning. His ruling party, Zanu PF, are effectively enacting a reign of terror, which is solidifying the regime's strangle hold on the once peaceful and prosperous nation.

Though the Elias Fund is a small grassroots organization focused on educational development, we highly encourage our friends to remain aware of Zimbabwe's overall situation. Please educate yourself on Zimbabwe's crisis and spread the word to a friend or family member. This humanitarian tragedy cannot go unheard.

Visit our friends at Solidarity Peace Trust for in-depth accounts of human rights abuses occurring in ZIm. *Warning: not for the weak of stomach*