Zimbabwe truce bodes well for shipping industry

THE HISTORIC powersharing agreement reached in Zimbabwe last Thursday is what shippers have been waiting for. While trade has continued to flourish on the route as the country’s imports have surged, the agreement will hopefully put to rest the political crisis in that country. Quoted by BuaNews, Foreign Affairs Deputy Minister Aziz Pahad commented: “The task that now lies ahead is for South Africa, the Southern African Development Community (SADC), Africa and the international community to work on reconstructing, developing and reconciling the people and government of Zimbabwe.” President Thabo Mbeki said that the ruling Zanu- PF and opposition MDC had agreed on all issues. A national unity government should have been announced by the time this issue reaches readers’ desks. “The agreement has once more underlined our often stated view that only the people of Zimbabwe, acting with the support of the international community, can author their own destiny out of the current political and economic challenges facing their country,” said a statement issued by the Department of Foreign Affairs last Friday.