Dutch Princess Mabel returned to Zimbabwe this week as CEO of The Elders, the Nelson Mandela found organisation of 'wise men/women'. Two years ago The Elders, with former U.S. President Jimmy Carter, were denied visa to visit the southern African country.
Mabel van Oranje as the daughter-in-law of Queen Beatrix is commonly known, reported her impressions via Twitter. She noticed some progress and improvement sice her initial visit in November 2008, to prepare the eventually cancelled visit by the Elders.
"Happy to see that life is slightly better for many since my 2008 visit, but road to recovery will be long and difficult", she wrote. "Zimbabwe future remains uncertain: Progress on reforms too slow, unemployment high, inclusive government still learning to work together."
She also noted that "health care is recovering, but 100 kids under 5 still die EVERY DAY from preventable causes", and "Human rights lawyer says abuses and arbitrary arrests still happen, but less in number." © GPD
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