Zimbabwe opposition parties, civil society and political analysts have described the visit by Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko as sad for the country’s democracy and human rights. Lukashenko landed in Zimbabwe on Monday.
Hundreds of Zanu-PF supporters were bussed to Robert Gabriel Mugabe international airport to help President Emmerson Mnangagwa welcome Lukashenko and his delegation. They sang songs of praise to welcome the self-confessed last dictator of Europe.
During his two-day state visit, Lukashenko delivered 1,300 tractors, 14 combine harvesters and disc harrows under a US$66m Belarus-Zimbabwe farm mechanisation programme. The two governments also signed eight bilateral agreements in areas including agriculture and education.
Zimbabwe civil society groups and opposition parties said Mnangagwa turned to Lukashenko because he had been isolated by the international community, and the visit would not help the plight of ordinary Zimbabweans.
Peter Mutasa, chair of the Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition, which consists of more than 80 civic society organisations, said: “Lukashenko’s visit shows that the much heralded re-engagement has failed, and once again Zimbabwe is scrounging for international relationships from those who are indifferent to its deteriorating democratic and human rights record.
Mnangagwa is cosying up to someone similar in terms of their deeds, their values and their principles
— Citizens Coalition for Change interim international secretary Gladys Hlatshwayo
“Belarus and Zimbabwe need each other to deal with international isolation. They have to build their own community and strengthen one another, sadly to the detriment of their countries’ progress.
“Both countries would be better off if the governments listen to their citizens and correct the mistakes they have made by being dictatorships..
“Our agriculture is beset with endemic corruption and until we address this nothing will change our agriculture sector. The Belarus deals, like all other previous deals, will only benefit a few ruling elites and their cronies who are likely to gain through party patronage schemes,” Mutasa said.
Speaking at a press conference in Harare, Lukashenko said his government would train Zimbabwean experts with skills in sectors including agriculture and defence. But Mutasa said: “Unfortunately, that also shows lack of understanding of our priorities. Zimbabwe is not facing any threats of war.
“The help we desperately need is improving our health-care and education sectors. Instead of training our security forces, given a chance, citizens would have voted for aid in health and education.”
Citizens Coalition for Change interim international secretary Gladys Hlatshwayo told the Sunday Times that Lukashenko did not deserve the welcome he received. “He is the last dictator in Europe and he has actually referred to himself as such. Mnangagwa is cosying up to someone similar in terms of their deeds, their values and their principles. “Lukashenko had a disputed election in Belarus and he oppresses the opposition just like Mnangagwa. He doesn’t hold free and fair elections, just like Mnangagwa. So it shows that they are in agreement as far as the principles of democracy are concerned."
However, Zanu-PF senator for Harare and party politburo member Omega Hungwe said they were excited by Lukashenko’s visit. Speaking to the Sunday Times at the airport, he said: “We are very happy the president of Belarus has landed well and he is our very good friend. I think you have seen that even our president also goes there to (Belarus) and we received buses and tractors for farmers from that side."
Another Zanu-PF member, former women affairs minister Nyasha Chikwinya, who was also part of the welcoming committee, said Lukashenko's visit cemented diplomatic relations between Zimbabwe and Belarus. “When Zimbabwe needed help, Belarus stood for Zimbabwe,” she said.
Political analyst Rejoice Ngwenya described the relationship between Mnangagwa and Lukashenko as a collaboration of dictators. “Belarus is not the first port of call for technological economic innovation in Europe. Also, collaboration of dictators does not yield results. Belarus is only interested in siphoning resources from Zimbabwe; they have no interest in a mutual beneficial economic relationship,” she said.
“When they come to Zimbabwe they are fishing for mining and defence contracts. If they are sending tractors and all that, who is paying for them and at what cost? Instead of sending tractors why don’t we start an assembly plant in Zimbabwe?”
However, economists believe the farming equipment will boost the country’s agriculture sector. Economist Prosper Chitambara said: “The supply of tractors and combine harvesters definitely will provide a much-needed boost to our agriculture sector in terms of mechanisation. That certainly is going to improve to some extent agriculture productivity which would have a positive effect on the economy.
“On the eight bilateral agreements, the most important thing is to make sure these are actually implemented and actioned.”
Lukashenko and his delegation left Zimbabwe on Wednesday after visiting the Victoria Falls.
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