Back to Index

This article participates on the following special index pages:

SADC civil society statement on Zimbabwe
SADC Civil Society
July 28, 2008

We, the Civil Society Organisations representing the three apex organizations in Southern Africa, namely SADC Council of NGOs (SADC- CNGO), Southern African Trade Union Coordinating Council (SATUCC) and Fellowship Of Christian Councils in Southern Africa (FOCISSA), met on 27 to 28th of July 2008 in Braamfontein, South Africa, to discuss the situation in Zimbabwe, informed by the deepening crisis and the processes under way to address the current situation in that country, made the following observations:

• The threatening pre and post election dispensation in Zimbabwe, which climaxed with the 27th June 2008 illegimate Presidential run-of of elections;
• The deepening social, economic and political crisis characterised by increasing rates of human rights abuse, food insecurity, increasing levels of poverty, lack of rule of law;
• The growing humanitarian crisis in Zimbabwe; The growing international focus on Zimbabwe which threatens to set back efforts to build a strong democratic Africa free of dependence on external forces to solve its problems, to build institutional capacity within ourselves to resolve such conflicts;

Having observed the outlined factors above, we also take cognisance of the processes and initiatives under way to respond to the situation, and in particular the signing of the MOU creating the necessary momentum for the creation of dialogue and the movement towards resolution.

Regarding the MOU, we note that it does represent a positive step forward and lays the basis for a meaningful engagement. We however note the following:

The process lacks inclusivity, insensitive to gender equity and balance, undermined by continued militarization of the country, lacks transparency and accountability processes; The mediation process and structures should be improved to better enhance delivery of a stable and a prosperous Zimbabwe.

Therefore, we the representatives of Workers, Churches and NGOs in the Region hereby resolve to:

• Call for space for civil society participation so as to effectively engage with the process;
• Call for a Transitional Executive Authority led on a no-partisan basis, to be in-charge of running of the country for a period of 2 years and has two key mandates: constitutional review process and to prepare for the elections under the new constitution.;
• Call for all parties to observe all the provisions of the MOU and commit ourselves as Civil Society to play our role in ensuring its full implementation;
• To ensure that the negotiation process does not substitute mass mobilisation, popular participation and sustained vigilance;
• Call for the restructuring and democratisation of SADC in order to respond appropriately and adequately to the challenges in the Region: e.g. developing clear criteria & guidelines for membership and positions of responsibility in SADC. To this end, we oppose the assuming of the Chairmanship of the Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation to Swaziland and Angola's continued membership of the Organ Troika, for their failure to adhere to the SADC Principles and Guidelines on Democratic Elections;
• Call on political leadership in Zimbabwe to place the interest of the masses above narrow political interests;

We further note that the continued erosion of peace and security in Zimbabwe violate the values and principles of the SADC Founding Treaty in that: "Article 4 of the Treaty stipulates that "human rights, democracy and the rule of law" are principles guiding the acts of its members. Article 5 of the Treaty outlines the objectives of SADC, which commits Member States to "promote common political values, systems and other shared values which are transmitted through institutions which are democratic, legitimate and effective. It also commits Member States to consolidate, defend and maintain democracy, peace, security and stability" in the region"; It is in this light that we call for a peace-keeping force in Zimbabwe.

We further note that given these developments in Zimbabwe, there is no legitimate Executive Authority and we urge that Zimbabwe be suspended from SADC pending the establishment of a legitimate authority.

We, the Civil Society in the Region commits ourselves to continuous election monitoring, observation and ensuring adherence to democratic processes in the SADC member states.

As Civil Society Organisations in the Region, we pledge our solidarity with Civil Society in Zimbabwe on their efforts to overcome their difficulties and rebuild their country.

Participants committed themselves to a number of actions, solidarity and accountability in a common search for a speedy resolve of the crisis in Zimbabwe.

Please credit www.kubatana.net if you make use of material from this website. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons License unless stated otherwise.

TOP