News / Regional
MRP needs US$650k to intensify its self-determination international engagement
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The Mthwakazi Republic Party (MRP) is appealing for US$ 650,000 to intensify international engagements that seek to push the Zimbabwean government to the negotiating table on its efforts to achieve self-determination of the Matabeleland people to re-establish a Mthwakazi state.
In an appeal to MRP members, people in Matabeleland and Midlands, individual institutions local and abroad, well wishers, churchies, religious groups and traditional groups, MRP President Mqondisi Moyo they are asking for funding towards its International Outreach/ Engagement Programme.
"Since November 04, 1893, life in Southern Rhodesia, now Zimbabwe, has been characterised by the oppressor-oppressed relationship. The people of Matabeleland and Midlands (Mthwakazi) have been on the oppressed side both under Rhodesian and Zimbabwean epochs. In the former era, the oppressors were the British. In the latter, it is Mashonaland," Moyo said.
Moyo said they are cognisant of the borders that separate us from other neighbouring countries.
He said the border with South Africa, Limpopo/Beitbridge, was signed by King Lobhengula and Pieter Grobbler representing the then Prime Minister Paul Kruger.
"That with Bechuanaland (Botswana) and Ramoquabone/ Plumtree border signed in 1888. The border with Zambia- Livingston / Victoria Falls - in 1888. The fourth border, the one being contested, is the Munyathi river and separates us from Mashonaland was signed in 1891 by King Lobhengula and Star Leander Jameson representing Mashonaland which had been colonised in 1890," he said.
Moyo said they are challenging the amalgamation of Mashonaland and Matabeleland that took place on 12 September 1923 without Matabeleland people's consent as this move favoured the British authorities.
He said this amalgamation led us to the predicament we find ourselves in, in 1980 Britain handed us to Mashonaland/ Zimbabwe.
"We further reflect on the truth where 97 survivors of the Pioneer Column gathered to celebrate the 40 years of Mashonaland occupation in 1890, (1890 to 1930). In 1933 the surviving members of the Pioneer Column gathered to celebrated 40 years of Matebeleland occupation, (1893 to 1933)," Moyo said.
He said they are also challenging the 132 years of occupation, dehumanisation, oppression, suppression by the British and Mashonaland/Zimbabwe, 87 years of which were by the White minority rule and 45 years by the Zanu PF government.
Moyo said time came when the people of Matabeleland and Midlands called Mthwakazi, decided that they could not endure subjugation and oppression anymore.
Moyo said the need to restore their sovereignty became more and more clear, culminating in the formation on 11 January 2014, of MRP and its goal is to lead Mthwakazi people in this restoration journey, and relieve the same from the agony of Zimbabwean oppression.
"The party is now fairly distributed throughout Mthwakazi territory, regional and international. Its restorative agenda has been, and continues to be, propagated among the people. Many have responded well to the call to join the liberation efforts. Efforts by detractors to stop the party from spreading were overcome," he said.
"In 2019, the party announced its intention to engage the international community concerning its self-determination agenda beginning 2020. Unfortunately, the Covid-19 pandemic temporarily derailed the plans. But as soon as opportunity availed itself, the party managed to reach out to the international community through correspondence. In few instances, face-to-face interactions took place."
He said since the need for self-determination is ever growing in response to the oppressor's escalation of oppression, the party must also aggressively escalate its outreach to the international community.
Moyo said the time is now for the world to understand how 'serious we are' with restoring the rights of the Mthwakazi people.
"This time around, we want to physically knock at every office that is relevant to forcing the Zimbabwean government to the negotiating table with us. We want face-to-face discussions with key world leaders and governments. We believe that through such, tangible outcomes for Mthwakazi are guaranteed," he said.
Moyo said the party needs to make trips to various countries to meet officials in the Sadc offices in Gavborone, Botswana, African Union in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, United Nations in New York, United States, the African Commission on Human and People's Rights in Banjul in Gambia, the International Court of Justice ( ICJ) in the Hague, Netherlands, the English Royal Palace in the United Kingdom, the United States Government in Washington DC, United States of America, the British Government in London, United Kingdom, Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights ( OHCHR), International Criminal Court ( ICC) in the Hague, Netherlands and other relevant International stakeholders who have responded to our letters.
"The purpose of these trips shall be to present our self-determination agenda which seek to grant Mthwakazi the status of a sovereign country, present the Gukurahundi Genocide issue and lobby for comprehensive, transparent and satisfactory restitutitive measures, campaign for the recognition of Mthwakazi Republic Party as a legitimate organisation that has been entrusted by Mthwakazi people to lead the restoration agenda and to seek international partnership and collaboration for the party," Moyo said.
"The money will meet costs for travel, accommodation, food and refreshments for delegates and other logistics and contingencies as may be necessary for such missions. The total cost for the Program is estimated at US$650 000 the equivalent of RR11 695 767.52 Cents."
In an appeal to MRP members, people in Matabeleland and Midlands, individual institutions local and abroad, well wishers, churchies, religious groups and traditional groups, MRP President Mqondisi Moyo they are asking for funding towards its International Outreach/ Engagement Programme.
"Since November 04, 1893, life in Southern Rhodesia, now Zimbabwe, has been characterised by the oppressor-oppressed relationship. The people of Matabeleland and Midlands (Mthwakazi) have been on the oppressed side both under Rhodesian and Zimbabwean epochs. In the former era, the oppressors were the British. In the latter, it is Mashonaland," Moyo said.
Moyo said they are cognisant of the borders that separate us from other neighbouring countries.
He said the border with South Africa, Limpopo/Beitbridge, was signed by King Lobhengula and Pieter Grobbler representing the then Prime Minister Paul Kruger.
"That with Bechuanaland (Botswana) and Ramoquabone/ Plumtree border signed in 1888. The border with Zambia- Livingston / Victoria Falls - in 1888. The fourth border, the one being contested, is the Munyathi river and separates us from Mashonaland was signed in 1891 by King Lobhengula and Star Leander Jameson representing Mashonaland which had been colonised in 1890," he said.
Moyo said they are challenging the amalgamation of Mashonaland and Matabeleland that took place on 12 September 1923 without Matabeleland people's consent as this move favoured the British authorities.
He said this amalgamation led us to the predicament we find ourselves in, in 1980 Britain handed us to Mashonaland/ Zimbabwe.
"We further reflect on the truth where 97 survivors of the Pioneer Column gathered to celebrate the 40 years of Mashonaland occupation in 1890, (1890 to 1930). In 1933 the surviving members of the Pioneer Column gathered to celebrated 40 years of Matebeleland occupation, (1893 to 1933)," Moyo said.
He said they are also challenging the 132 years of occupation, dehumanisation, oppression, suppression by the British and Mashonaland/Zimbabwe, 87 years of which were by the White minority rule and 45 years by the Zanu PF government.
Moyo said time came when the people of Matabeleland and Midlands called Mthwakazi, decided that they could not endure subjugation and oppression anymore.
Moyo said the need to restore their sovereignty became more and more clear, culminating in the formation on 11 January 2014, of MRP and its goal is to lead Mthwakazi people in this restoration journey, and relieve the same from the agony of Zimbabwean oppression.
"The party is now fairly distributed throughout Mthwakazi territory, regional and international. Its restorative agenda has been, and continues to be, propagated among the people. Many have responded well to the call to join the liberation efforts. Efforts by detractors to stop the party from spreading were overcome," he said.
"In 2019, the party announced its intention to engage the international community concerning its self-determination agenda beginning 2020. Unfortunately, the Covid-19 pandemic temporarily derailed the plans. But as soon as opportunity availed itself, the party managed to reach out to the international community through correspondence. In few instances, face-to-face interactions took place."
He said since the need for self-determination is ever growing in response to the oppressor's escalation of oppression, the party must also aggressively escalate its outreach to the international community.
Moyo said the time is now for the world to understand how 'serious we are' with restoring the rights of the Mthwakazi people.
"This time around, we want to physically knock at every office that is relevant to forcing the Zimbabwean government to the negotiating table with us. We want face-to-face discussions with key world leaders and governments. We believe that through such, tangible outcomes for Mthwakazi are guaranteed," he said.
Moyo said the party needs to make trips to various countries to meet officials in the Sadc offices in Gavborone, Botswana, African Union in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, United Nations in New York, United States, the African Commission on Human and People's Rights in Banjul in Gambia, the International Court of Justice ( ICJ) in the Hague, Netherlands, the English Royal Palace in the United Kingdom, the United States Government in Washington DC, United States of America, the British Government in London, United Kingdom, Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights ( OHCHR), International Criminal Court ( ICC) in the Hague, Netherlands and other relevant International stakeholders who have responded to our letters.
"The purpose of these trips shall be to present our self-determination agenda which seek to grant Mthwakazi the status of a sovereign country, present the Gukurahundi Genocide issue and lobby for comprehensive, transparent and satisfactory restitutitive measures, campaign for the recognition of Mthwakazi Republic Party as a legitimate organisation that has been entrusted by Mthwakazi people to lead the restoration agenda and to seek international partnership and collaboration for the party," Moyo said.
"The money will meet costs for travel, accommodation, food and refreshments for delegates and other logistics and contingencies as may be necessary for such missions. The total cost for the Program is estimated at US$650 000 the equivalent of RR11 695 767.52 Cents."
Source - Online
