Mugabe agrees to fire Gono
Developing story
President Mugabe has reportedly told Reserve Governor Gideon that he should start preparing to vacate his office as his dismissal is part of the conditions of an economic rescue package from SADC.
The move contradicts Mugabe ‘s remarks in an interview with the state TV that Gono will be allowed to remain in his position. Mr. Mugabe said he would not reverse his appointments of Reserve Bank Governor Gideon Gono and Attorney General Johannes Tomana.
“I do not see any reason why those people should go and they will not go,” he said.
Gono has been criticized in many quarters including SADC economists for fueling hyperinflation by printing money in vast quantities to fund government operations.
Foreign and Finance ministers of the 15-member Southern African Development Community (SADC) ended a two day conference yesterday promising to “pursue measures in support of Zimbabwe’s economic recovery program.”
They said SADC heads of state would meet to discuss the financing proposals submitted by Zimbabwe, but the date will be determined by how swift Mugabe moves to show evidence of reform and commitment.
At a meeting last week with Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai, South Africa’s president promised that the SADC ministers would finalize a package by the end of this week, saying that South African and the region should set an example in helping the stricken country.
Finance minister, Tendai Biti, attended the ministerial meeting in Cape Town and asked for $2 billion — half for emergency spending on schools, health care and infrastructure, and the rest on economic revival measures. Biti’s proposals were well received by his regional peers.
“We are all, as SADC, determined to help Zimbabwe mobilize the resources,” said South African Foreign Minister Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma.
“But, I can’t guarantee how much will be raised … the economic environment globally is difficult, so we will do our best.”
Dlamini-Zuma said the regional bloc would lobby for “the normalization of Zimbabwe” at the International Monetary Fund and the lifting of political and financial sanctions against it.
Posted by Simba Dzvairo
on February 28, 2009. Filed under Local News.
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