Annan urges revised land-reform programme

UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan has highlighted the plight of thousands of Zimbabwe's farm workers and commercial farmers rendered jobless and homeless by the government's land-acquisition programme. Annan called on President Robert Mugabe's government to adopt instead a sustainable land-reform programme. "There can be no lasting solution to the current problems unless the government of Zimbabwe implements a phased and fully funded land-reform programme. It should be one that is run according to the rule of law, that allows for proper training and adequate support to new small farmers and compensation to displaced farm workers and commercial farmers," Annan said in a statement. Mugabe's government has set about evicting commercial farmers from land targeted for redistribution to landless citizens without paying compensation to those affected by the acquisitions. The evictions are currently being challenged in court. "As the risk of famine looms, I believe that a successful, sustainable land reform programme that will benefit all the people of Zimbabwe, especially the landless poor, is more important than ever," Annan said. Such a programme was "urgently needed in order to minimise the negative effects of the current situation on food production and the overall economy in Zimbabwe. It would also ensure the engagement and future support of the international community," the secretary-general noted. Annan said he was very worried about the deteriorating food situation in Southern Africa. The UN system was already "fully engaged in a comprehensive humanitarian effort" to ensure adequate food supplies in Zimbabwe and throughout the region. He thanked those governments that had already contributed towards this effort, and reiterated his appeal to the international community to send food and other assistance to the region as a matter of urgency. "I also urge governments in the region and donors to avoid politicisation of food aid," Annan said.