HARARE, Zimbabwe (IPS) -- Zimbabwe's fallout
with the Danish government over the nation's chaotic land reform and unstable
political situation could further weaken the already precarious economy.
Differences over the manner in which land
reform is being carried out and a perceived general breakdown in the rule
of law have alienated important donors. This week, Denmark cut its aid
to Zimbabwe in protest over the continued seizures of White-owned farms.
"We are very disappointed that the government
of Harare has not followed the decision of Zimbabwe's Supreme Court to
end the illegal occupation of farms and land," Cooperation Minister Jan
Troejborg said. "That is why we have decided to end cooperation with the
agricultural ministry."
While the extent of the reduction is still
unknown, Denmark had previously cut its $18.8 million annual aid budget
to Zimbabwe almost in half.
Although most analysts do not question
the idea that serious land reform is long overdue, they fear that the current
largely unregulated process will plunge the economy further into chaos.
If done properly, land reform could actually
improve food security by moving millions of small farmers from sandy, rocky
soil unfit for agricultural production to prime land -- most of which is
owned by Whites, who constitute less than one percent of the population.
But the current exercise is chaotic, and
farmers are already predicting food shortages next year.
"We are shooting ourselves in the foot,"
said John Makumbe, a political analyst. "We are dismantling the existing
infrastructure, the existing agricultural base for political reasons."
"It's also frightening that the whole exercise
is being carried out without an assessment, even a crude one. At the end
of the day, we are going to pay," he said.
"The Danish are crucial. They have been
supporting the agricultural sector in all its facets. This cut...signals
the beginning of major problems. Zimbabwe needs donor money for the program
to succeed," Makumbe told IPS.
---Lewis Machipisa