In a world where a proactive anti-racism measures are taking place, one African state is putting on a reversal on anti-racism measures that would somehow help the White people over Blacks.
The government of Zimbabwe has recently decided that a staggering 3.5 billion dollars will be compensated for the white farmers who have gotten evicted in times of racial retribution at the early 2000s, with a policy put forth by the former ousted President Robert Mugabe.
“This momentous occasion is historic in many respects, brings both closure and a new beginning in the history of the land discourse in our country Zimbabwe,” said current President Emmerson Mnangagwa, after signing the agreement at State House with Andrew Pascoe, the president of the Commercial Farmers Union of Zimbabwe.
“After almost 20 years of conflict over the land issue, representatives of farmers who lost their land through the fast track reform program and representatives of government have been able to come together to see a resolution of this conflict.
To me this is nothing short of a miracle. For me it has been a dream that I will see this day,” said Pascoe. 50 percent of the $3.5 billion would be paid with 12 months from the day of signing, while the balance is paid within five years.
However, the analysts and the economists are thinking differently when it comes to these compensations and their viability. Most of them came to the conclusion that at the moment the Zimbabwean government should be aware that after an inundation of inflation and financial haphazardness will not be able to make it.
In a statement, the Finance Ministry said that they will be issuing long term bonds and that the parties will approach international donors to try and raise the funds. The agreement does not compensate farmers for the value of the land, but rather the infrastructure that was lost by the owners.
“The government of Zimbabwe does not have any obligation for compensation for acquired land. Our entering into the agreement does not create any liability whatsoever in this regard,” said Mnangagwa.
John Robertson, an independent economist, says Zimbabwe’s land issue is far from over as the cash-strapped government still has to source the money for compensation.
“Are our priorities skewed? In the midst of a pandemic with no doctors or nurses in hospitals. Now we jump to farmers? Yes there is an obligation to pay. Where is the money? We may sign many agreements, but this one for now looks like just an admission of intention to pay,” said Robertson, a well-known critic of Zimbabwe’s government.
Health workers in Zimbabwe’s hospitals are at loggerheads with the government over salaries. The nurses union protested last month asking the government to increases their wages.
Wednesday’s agreement with the farmers marks another symbolic departure for Mnangagwa from his predecessor Mugabe, who he helped oust in 2017. Mnangagwa has made several steps toward reconciling with white commercial farmers since taking office — in part to help revive the ailing economy.
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Replaced!