Conference on Zimbabwe: Healing, reconciliation and reconstruction
A statement issued by the Africa Initiative of Syracuse University and the organising committee of the special conference on Zimbabwe: Healing, reconciliation and reconstruction challenges the veracity of of some participants by members of Minister Sekai Holland’s security personnel during the three-day conference.
In response to reports appearing in a cross-section of the media, including an opinion piece from one Frances Lovemore appearing on Pambazuka News, regarding alleged harassment and intimidation of some participants by members of Minister Sekai Holland’s security personnel during the three-day conference, The Africa Initiative of Syracuse University and the organising committee of the special conference on Zimbabwe: Healing, reconciliation and reconstruction wish to state the following:
- That we were, and remain unaware of any instances of intimidation of a section of participants by members of Minister Sekai Holland’s entourage/security detail during the period of the conference;
- That at no point in time did any of the participants raise the issue of intimidation, explicit or implied, with the organisers of conference;
- That the alleged DVD cited as partial cause for intimidation was never shown during the conference. Attempts to show this DVD during the community event on Saturday 31 October failed due to software compatibility issues and
- That in spite of the heated but admittedly constructive debates, the conference proceeded on an air of collegiality, mutual respect and a palpable shared desire among participants for true healing and reconciliation for the peoples of Zimbabwe.
In view of the above observations, The Africa Initiative of Syracuse University and the organising committee of this special conference wish to challenge the veracity of these allegations, question their intentions, and deeply regret the appropriation of the conference platform to mislead the public and settle scores. And in so doing, we remain committed – like many Zimbabwe peoples at home and in its ever-expanding diaspora – to the pursuit of lasting peace, respect for life, and restoration of sociopolitical order through avenues that are not inspired by revenge.
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* Otieno Orwa is program associate at The Africa Initiative of Syracuse University, Syracuse, New York, USA.
* Please send comments to [email protected] or comment online at Pambazuka News.