ANGLICAN-INFORMATION
‘A voice for the voiceless’

Acting Dean Albert Chama speaks at last – others too – about a Zimbabwe descending into chaos.

At last there has been an audible ‘in person’ response on the part of acting Dean of the Anglican Central African Province, Bishop Albert Chama of Northern Zambia.

In response to repeated calls on the part of various organisations including ANGLICAN-INFORMATION, acting Dean Chama has at last ‘acted’. Until now he has been looking like a man hedging his bets in case Robert Mugabe remains in power after the Zimbabwe presidential run-off elections scheduled for 27th June.

Finally, he has caved into immense pressure for him to speak in person rather than hiding in the general crowd of Council of Churches and the like, whilst the intimidation and violence directed against the very Anglican churches and people Chama is responsible for worsens by the day.

Chama speaks at last: First, as reported by the New York Times online Chama is reported as saying on 22nd May of the harassment of Anglicans, “The police have continued to brutalize our people which is sad”. ANGLICAN-INFORMATION comments that Albert Chama’s grasp of English is good and therefore his choice of the word ‘sad’ to describe what is going on is pathetic. We suggest he needs to use descriptive adjectives that are much stronger. Still at least he’s moving in the right direction away from his old friend ‘Archbishop’ Nolbert Kunonga of Harare as he goes on, “This is political interference. I’m sure they’re getting orders from above. They’re protecting Kunonga.” This statement of the obvious has been a long time in coming from Chama’s lips, but it’s welcome.

Bishop Elson Jakasi excommunicated: Secondly, from Zim Online (SA) (founded in July 2004 to be an alternative voice for Zimbabwean journalists who found themselves restricted by the Mugabe regime – like ANGLICAN –INFORMATION it works online as a voice for the voiceless) in an article dated 29th May, journalist Cuthbert Nzou reports the good news of what we have been calling for: the named excommunication of Bishop Elson Jakazi of Manicaland diocese as a supporter of Nolbert Kunonga.

ANGLICAN-INFOPRMATION reports that’s two down and one yet to go, namely the architect of most of the troubles besetting the Central African Province to this day, former Archbishop Bernard Malango, arch-supporter of Kunonga, Jakazi, the Mugabe regime and Chama himself. We call for Malango’s named excommunication.

The Archbishop of Canterbury: Thirdly, a voice from the Archbishop of Canterbury himself, reported by various agencies to have issued a call 29th May issuing ‘a powerful challenge to United Nations General Secretary Ban Ki-moon to intervene in Zimbabwe, “to protect Christians against the brutality being used against them” Archbishop Rowan Williams has called on Mr Ban to explain “what is being done to prevent murderous state-organised violence, directed especially against Anglicans”’

“We plead”, said Dr Williams, “once more for immediate high level SADC (Southern African Development Community) and UN mediation and monitoring to ensure a free and fair presidential run-off, and the protection of its citizens from state organised violence.”

ANGLICAN-INFORMATION notes that concerted action on the part of European and American bankers to deny cash flow to the Zimbabwe elite would be just as effective.

Grace Mugabe on the election trail: Meanwhile, in the spirit and school of Lady Macbeth, Grace Mugabe the wife of the dictator, as reported by several agencies, has erased all lingering doubts about whether the election will be free and fair. Speaking at a Zanu-PF rally in Shamva, North-East of Harare, she said yesterday: “Even if people vote for the MDC (Movement for Democratic Change), Morgan Tsvangerai will never set foot inside the State House…He will only get to hear about what it looks like (it is almost as opulent as Mugabe’s own house) from people who have been there……(Robert Mugabe) will only leave the State House to make way for someone from Zanu-PF.” She went on to blame all the recent violence on the MDC – who have thus far lost fifty dead and countless injured.

The rightful President in waiting: Lastly, we give the final word to Morgan Tsvangerai who, like the people and priests in the dioceses of Lake Malawi and Upper Shire, in the Anglican Central African Province, knows what it is like to have democratic elections stolen by those in power. ABC News online, reporting from Harare, today 30th May, Morgan Tsvangerai (in a conciliatory gesture worthy of a great and courageous leader) said, “Instead of focussing on what divides us we must now try and heal our nation…….in the spirit of moving the country forward let us seek out those peaceful members of Zanu-PF whose eyes are open to the disastrous state of our nation. Let us listen to their views and let us invite them where we have policy agreements.”

ANGLICAN-INFORMATION notes: a great deal hangs on what happens in Zimbabwe, not least in the conduct and future action of the troubled Central African Provincial episcopal leadership – please keep praying.

………..END………

ANGLICAN-INFORMATION
‘A voice for the voiceless’
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