Zimbabwe Blocks Care International Operations, Claims Ties to Opposition

The Zimbabwe government has refused to allow Care International to carry out operations in the country, claiming the organization has campaigned for the opposition ahead of the June 27 presidential election.

According to an article published through the BBC more than a third of Zimbabweans will need food aid and President Robert Mugabe’s decision to block Care could cause severe problems for those in need.

Mugabe, who recently attended the UN food summit in Rome, accused the West of funneling funds to opposition leaders through NGOs. Not only has Care International been halted but there could be plans to end other NGO operations in the country, this according to Social Welfare Minister Nicholas Goche.

Goche noted, “Several other non-governmental organizations involved in food distribution in Manicaland province will also be asked to cease operations while we investigate them.”

"There is a crucial run-off coming and our information indicates that NGOs are involved in plans to undermine our candidate.”

Care International has denied any involvement in Zimbabwe politics, stating they have strict rules preventing such activity.

Care has been accused of providing political help to opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai of the Movement for Democratic Change party. Tsvangirai and Mugabe will be squaring off on June 27 to determine the country’s next president.

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