The Sunday News
Tatenda Gapare and Tinomuda Chakanyuka Sunday News Reporters
THE European Union has renewed its flirtation with local anti-Government civil society organisations, availing more than 2,5 million euro to fund new projects in Zimbabwe in what analysts believe to be a revived regime change blitz on the country. In a statement last week, head of the EU Delegation to Zimbabwe Ambassador Philippe Van Damme said the main objective of the projects was to “enhance Civil Society Organisation’s (CSOs) participation in Zimbabwe’s public policies and programmes as a crucial component for a more equitable, open and democratic society”.
It is, however, the EU’s choice of local implementing partners of the projects that has raised questions on the sincerity of its gesture as the European body has chosen to work with NGOs that have a long standing record of antagonising the Government.
Some of EU’s implementing partners in the five projects include the National Association of Non-Governmental Organisations (Nango), Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR), Restless Development, Legal Resource Foundation and the Community Working Group on Health (CWGH).
According to EU, the projects are also aimed at increasing citizen participation in national development processes, transparency, good governance and accountability. The projects will be implemented over 36 months in Bulawayo, Matabeleland North and South, Masvingo and Midlands.
“An empowered civil society representing empowered citizens is a crucial component of any democratic system and we encourage continuing policy dialogue with all stakeholders to foster pluralism then eventually develop more effective policies and achieve equitable, sustainable and inclusive growth and development. The CfP was launched under the EU’s Civil Society Thematic programme which supports CSO’s contributions towards reinforced governance, accountability and inclusive policy making,” said Ambassador Van Damme.
Political analyst Mr Alexander Rusero said the sincerity of the EU to launch the projects at such huge funding should be questioned. He said the EU has always made known its harboured ambitions to effect regime change in Zimbabwe and its recent move to engage NGOs on record antagonising President Mugabe to implement its projects in Zimbabwe raises stink.
“This is politically driven and has nothing to do with addressing the social needs of people. Zimbabwe is not under critical human rights abuse. Firstly we have to consider the timing and that will help us assess the sincerity of EU’s gesture. The EU has always been contemptuous of President Mugabe led Government and they will never change that position,” he said.
Mr Rusero also described EU’s support of local anti-Government NGOs as misplaced diplomacy and a show of skewed priorities by European countries.
He, however, allayed fears that the EU’s efforts to determine Zimbabwe’ political path would not succeed describing its local proxies as nonentities who have since lost their glory.
“The EU needs to realise that the regime change card is now blurred. Unfortunately they are still basking in yesteryear glory of a vibrant civil society in Zimbabwe which is history now. There is no civil society to talk about anymore here in Zimbabwe. What is left is a mirage and a façade. What we are seeing here is a renewed ploy to over-glorify local NGOs whose role as civil society has always been questionable. It is, however, a good thing that Zimbabwe has realised this and has since begun bilateral relations with China, Japan and other friendly countries,” he said.
Nango which represents over 1 000 NGOs and is one of the selected implementing partners in the recently launched projects has always been embroiled in political controversy and has been linked with opposition political parties in the country.
