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“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,” mentioned present President Emmerson Mnangagwa, after signing the settlement 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,” mentioned Pascoe.
According to the settlement, 50 p.c of the $3.5 billion could be paid with 12 months from the day of signing, whereas the steadiness is paid inside 5 years.
Economists agree that the Zimbabwean authorities, money strapped after years of hyper-inflation and allegations of mismanagement, can not afford to make the compensation.
In an announcement, the Finance Ministry mentioned that they are going to be issuing long run bonds and that the events will strategy worldwide donors to attempt to elevate the funds.
The settlement doesn’t compensate farmers for the worth of the land, however fairly the infrastructure that was misplaced by the house 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,” mentioned Mnangagwa.
John Robertson, an unbiased economist, says Zimbabwe’s land challenge is way from over because the cash-strapped authorities nonetheless has to supply the cash 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,” mentioned Robertson, a widely known critic of Zimbabwe’s authorities.
Health employees in Zimbabwe’s hospitals are at loggerheads with the federal government over salaries. The nurses union protested final month asking the federal government to will increase their wages.
Mnangagwa has made a number of steps towards reconciling with white business farmers since taking workplace — partly to assist revive the ailing economic system.
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