Association of Zimbabweans Based Abroad (AZBA)
Welcome to the official Website of the Association of Zimbabweans Based Abroad, (AZBA), USA.
The association is a think tank that is independent, and nonpartisan devoted to serve as a center for research and /or analysis on important public issues facing the nation of Zimbabwe. Special emphasis is given to issues on public policy, governance and education. We seek to devise and promote policies that shape the lives of everyday citizens. We also seek to bring together individuals to express their views publicy, openly debate public policy, petition and advise policy makers.
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Zimbabwe's power-sharing agreement signed on Monday sets up a finely-balanced coalition government. The combined opposition will have a one-person majority in the cabinet, but it will be chaired by President Robert Mugabe.
- Accepted the "irreversibility" of Mugabe's seizure and redistribution of land but will carry out a land audit to eliminate "multiple farm ownerships";
- Called on the British government to take primary responsibility for compensating former land owners;
- Agreed to give priority to restoring economic stability and growth, and called for the lifting of international sanctions;
- Set out a mechanism and timetable designed to place a new constitution before the electorate for approval in a referendum within the next 18 months;
- Froze party representation in the legislature for a year, by stipulating that vacancies should be filled by a member of the party currently holding a seat;
- Encouraged Zimbabweans broadcasting from outside the country to return and set up independent radio stations within the country; and
- Resolved to take steps to ensure the public media provided balanced and fair coverage to all parties.
In key sections of the preamble to the document, the parties agreed "to accept, cherish and recognise the significance of the liberation struggle as the foundation of our sovereign independence, freedoms and human rights," and dedicated themselves "to putting an end to the polarisation, divisions, conflict and intolerance that has characterised Zimbabwean politics and society in recent times."
The parties resolved that parliment would pass interim constitutional amendments necessary to implement the agreement.
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The Association of Zimbabweans Based Abroad (AZBA) is a non-partisan public policy and governance think tank that brings together all Zimbabweans in the Diaspora. AZBA is based in the
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