wfn.org | AACC Statement on Power Sharing Deal in Zimbabwe

[Worldwide Faith News <wfn@igc.org>]

> All Africa Conference of Churches

PRESS STATEMENT POWER SHARING DEAL IN ZIMBABWE

The All Africa Conference of Churches (AACC) joins the global 
community in welcoming the signing of the "Agreement between the 
ZANU-PF and the two MDC formations, on resolving the challenges 
facing Zimbabwe", September 15, 2008.

The power sharing deal is indeed a beacon of hope for the people of 
Zimbabwe who have prayed and cried for a solution to the crisis. The 
people of Zimbabwe have suffered under the yoke of political 
intolerance oppression and have experienced unrest as well as 
unbearable economic and humanitarian hardships.

The Zimbabwean people are the real heroes in this process and are the 
first to be honored for their perseverance and relentless quest for 
peaceful change in Zimbabwe.

Together with our Christian brothers and sisters in Zimbabwe we 
rejoice with the prospects for peace and stability in the country. 
But we also acknowledge the need for all stakeholders to join hands 
in the process of rebuilding Zimbabwe to a prosperous, peaceful and 
democratic nation. The roots of hatred, fear and bitterness have to 
be pulled out and a process of healing, truth, restorative justice 
and reconciliation has to be embarked upon.  The right time for this is now!

While welcoming the bold and timely step by the Parties to the 
Agreement, the AACC calls upon the three Party Presidents to continue 
to show practical and effective leadership as servants to the nation. 
Africa is expecting you:
-	To make "swords into ploughshares" by nurturing a spirit of 
reciprocal tolerance and inclusiveness in the dialogue on the way 
forward for Zimbabwe;
-	To take necessary steps to reform the economy, including a 
righteous settlement of the land issue;
-	To include churches and civil society organizations in the 
rebuilding process;
-	To open space for and effectively deliver rapid humanitarian aid;
-	To make every effort to regain the confidence of the Zimbabwean 
people, fellow Africans and the global community.

Acknowledging and appreciating the timely political initiatives and 
skillful diplomatic efforts that have contributed to the signing of 
the Agreement, the AACC also calls upon H.E. President Thabo Mbeki, 
the Southern African Development Community (SADC), the African Union 
(AU) and the United Nations (UN) to continue to accompany the 
Zimbabwean nation in this critical time.  The call is for a strong 
political commitment to uphold the global responsibility to protect 
the Zimbabwean people, from further suffering and to ensure that this 
Agreement will be a historical step for the furtherance of peace, 
democracy and justice for the people of Zimbabwe and for the 
continent, thus upholding the credibility of the notion of "African 
solutions for African problems".

The All Africa Conference of Churches reiterates its longstanding 
commitment to accompany Zimbabwe and its people in prayer, solidarity 
and assistance in the rebuilding process that is now to start.  May 
God Bless Zimbabwe!

> Nairobi, 19th September 2008

> www.aacc-ceta.org

> Tel: 254 - 20 - 4441483, 4441338/9

" Fax: 254 - 20- 4443241, 4445835 " Email: secretariat@aacc-ceta.org

General Secretariat:

Waiyaki Way, P.O. Box 14205, 00800 Westlands, Nairobi, Kenya