The Zimbabwe Christian Alliance (ZCA) has criticised Zanu PF, the party of President Robert Mugabe, of showing “bad faith” in its efforts to work in a unity government with the opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC).

The ZCA said, “Zanu-PF has done nothing to build confidence and demonstrate a genuine paradigm shift,” reports the Baptist Times.

“Up to now they have not shown anything to indicate that to them the agreement is real in spirit and not on paper only.

“Instead of engaging the MDC on the issues of justice and national reconciliation, they are preoccupied with asking the international community to lift so-called sanctions.”

Zimbabwe’s economy is currently in ruins, with record levels of inflation and widespread food shortages. There has also been an outbreak of cholera which has affected approximately 75,000 people.

On Ash Wednesday the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, and the Archbishop of York, Dr John Sentamu, launched a joint appeal for aid for Zimbabwe.

The Archbishops said that the world was “witnessing the slow death of a people” in Zimbabwe.

“The church remains a trusted deliverer of aid at grass roots level, capable of getting food and medical supplies to those who need them, and we urge everyone, inside and outside the Christian Church, to give it their strong support," they said.

The appeal is being supported by the Love Zim campaign, which consists of a number of Christian and humanitarian organisations.

Qobo Maysia, general secretary of the Council of Zimbabwean Christian Leaders in the UK, said, “We thank the Archbishops for their visionary leadership on the issue of Zimbabwe,” reports Baptist Times.

“Love Zim is calling on the entire British church to join the Anglicans in solidarity with the Archbishops' call.”