Mugabe fears unrest over youth unemployment

Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe has warned that rising youth unemployment could lead to unrest and called for peaceful elections expected next year.

The veteran ruler was addressing a memorial of Zimbabwe’s fallen heroes on Monday where he also urged political tolerance after his supporters jeered at Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai as he arrived for the commemorations at the shrine.

“Youth unemployment and under-employment present one of the biggest challenges facing the nation, which if not addressed, is a potential threat to national peace and stability,” President Mugabe said.
“We do not need to be reminded that economic stabilisation and sustainable growth cannot be achieved unless there is peace in the country.

“The promotion of sustainable peace is therefore important for the social cohesion of our nation.”

An estimated 85 per cent of Zimbabwe’s 12 million population is said to be unemployed and the situation has been worsened by a decade long economic collapse.

The Zimbabwean leader last year sought protection from Russia and China against perceived Western enemies that he blamed for the Arab Spring.

Protests

He also accused African countries of failing to unite during protests that toppled long serving rulers in Egypt, Libya and Tunisia.

President Mugabe said Zimbabwe cannot achieve an economic turnaround without peace.

"I wish to urge all Zimbabweans, all political parties, religious groups, civil society and other institutions to desist from engaging in violent campaigns during the elections,” he said.
“Let us fully embrace peaceful, tolerant and non-violent ways of campaigning before, during and after the actual conduct of elections.”
He said the country was on course to re-write its constitution despite disagreements in the inclusive government.

“It may go on a bit longer, once there is consensus, the draft will be subjected to a referendum,” he said.

“During the referendum, people will be afforded the opportunity to vote the adoption or rejection of the proposed constitution.”

President Mugabe’s Zanu PF party last week demanded amendments to the draft constitution that whittles down the president’s powers saying people’s views that were captured during an outreach had been ignored.