ZIMBABWE: A lack of vital farming supplies means half of Zimbabwe's population was going hungry while food was running short in 22 other sub-Saharan African countries, the UN food body said yesterday.
In its crop prospects report, the Rome-based Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) said successive droughts in much of the region, security problems and the HIV/AIDS pandemic have added to widespread food emergencies.
"Zimbabwe faces widespread shortage of key inputs such as fertiliser, fuel and farm power, which will limit the area planted," the report said. "Some 5.5 million, or half the country's total population, are in need of emergency food assistance."
The report was published as Zimbabwe announced its departure from the Commonwealth, following that body's reaffirmation of Zimbabwe's suspension because of President Robert Mugabe's undemocratic record and abuse of human rights.
President Mugabe's ruling party railed at Britain and its "white allies" in response, saying they had forced Zimbabwe into a no-win situation which had left it with no choice but to pull out of the Commonwealth.
"Whatever our detractors and critics are saying, for us this is like an escape from hell because Britain and its white allies have turned the Commonwealth into a Zimbabwe-lynching club," said Mr Didymus Mutasa, external affairs secretary of Mr Mugabe's ZANU-PF party.
The summit demanded Harare seek reconciliation with the opposition and respect human rights, prompting a furious Mr Mugabe to carry out a threat to withdraw.
Commonwealth leaders said they regretted Mr Mugabe's response, with British Foreign Secretary Mr Jack Straw warning it would hurt Zimbabwe's people the most.
"It's entirely in character, sadly, with President Mugabe," said Mr Straw.