Zimbabwe UN commission role slammed

My Account
Logout

Create an Evening Standard Account

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Welcome! Sign in here

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Forgot your password ?

Registration

* indicates fields that are mandatory

Email *

Password *

Confirm Password *

First name *

Surname *

Postcode *

Country *

Mobile phone number

Username *

Gender *

Year of birth *

When you sign up...

You will have access to all our online competitions, discounted offers and can post comments on our site.

You will also receive The Weekender newsletter sent every Thursday - it’s full of fantastic offers and ideas for the weekend. You can update your email preferences in your account page when you log in.

Other newsletters and emails

Homes & Property Newsletter - Yes I want to receive the weekly email with all the latest news on property in the capital

Occasionally we would also like to send you relevant emails detailing specific offers either from ourselves or carefully selected partners. If you would prefer not to receive these then please tick the appropriate boxes below. We will never pass on your details.

I do not want to receive additional offers and information from the Evening Standard

I do not want to receive additional offers and information sent by Evening Standard on behalf of carefully selected partners

Terms and Conditions

* I have read, understood and agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of Evening Standard

Registration

Mail Sent for Registration Confirmation.

A confirmation email has been sent. Please activate your account by clicking on the activation link sent in your mail box.

Francis Nhema, Zimbabwe's minister of environment and tourism, was nominated for the post by Africa and their recommendation was approved on Friday night in a vote of 26-21.

But his election comes as his country faces its worst economic crisis since independence and in the face of widespread criticism of its President, Robert Mugabe.

Environment and Climate Change Minister Ian Pearson reacted angrily to the appointment, claiming it would be seen "as an outrage by the millions of people who look to the UN for help to escape from poverty".

He said: "They will be asking how the body charged with promoting sustainable development will be able to maintain credibility whilst being chaired by a representative of a government whose failed policies have destroyed its own economy.

"How can a once-food-rich country where 1.8 million people now depend on food aid be expected to give its authority to the UN's work on critical issues such as agriculture, rural development and land use?"

Mr Pearson added: "Zimbabwe's election is wholly inconsistent with the aims of the Commission and the good work it achieves on urgent development issues."

Minister for Africa Lord Triesman also stressed his opposition to the appointment, saying: "For a Zimbabwean minister to chair the Commission while his own people suffer the appalling consequences of his government's policies, is wholly inconsistent with the Commission's aims.

"It damages the credibility of the Commission itself and its ability to deal with issues affecting the livelihoods of millions from the poorest countries."

President Mugabe, 83, has been in power since Zimbabwe gained independence from Britain in 1980 and 27 years on it is facing acute shortages of food and many other basic goods.