The people of Zimbabwe have been betrayed, by the government that claims to represent them and by Western governments that claim to support their desires for economic development and democracy. Post-independence promises made by the international community were not kept; the imposition of economic structural adjustment policies further entrenched inequality and reversed the initial gains made by the country. Internally, corruption, government mis-management, military excesses, and poor economic decisions have furthered the country’s multiple social and economic crises.

We the undersigned, join the people of Zimbabwe in their calls for:

• A New Constitution - a people-driven document that ensures that any elected government runs the country to benefit its people, not just a few narrow elite.Economic Justice - Specifically:

  • An audit of Zimbabwe’s 4.2 billion dollar debt;

  • Repatriation of stolen assets, particularly funds diverted from public coffers to individual accounts in international banks;

  • National investments in social development, job creation, and regional economic integration efforts.

• A national “Truth and Reconciliation” process to bring out the truth and begin the healing processThe International Community to:

  • End the “undeclared economic sanctions”
  • Following the national debt audit, to cancel the colonial debt, including apartheid-related debt, along with debts related to failed structural adjustment policies
  • Work with the Zimbabwean people to identify and repatriate public funds that have been diverted to private accounts in international banks