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This article participates on the following special index pages:
Talks, dialogue, negotiations and GNU - Post June 2008 "elections" - Index of articles
ACTSA
welcomes Zimbabwe deal, warns of long and difficult road ahead
Action
for Southern Africa
September 15, 2008
ACTSA welcomes the signing of the power-sharing agreement
between the MDCs and ZANU PF in Harare today. The signing of the
agreement provides a new opportunity for democracy and development
for the people of Zimbabwe. However, ACTSA recognises that there
is long way to go for Zimbabwe to recover and for the needs of Zimbabweans
to be met and their rights upheld.
ACTSA welcomes
the role of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and
President Mbeki in brokering this political settlement. It is a
sharing of power and the test is whether the needs and will of the
Zimbabwean people is heard and acted upon.
In ACTSA's
view it is crucial that any settlement leads to an immediate end
to violence and intimidation which has been continuing in Zimbabwe.
It must include protection for Zimbabweans to speak out freely,
organise and mobilise (Including trade union leaders who currently
face charges for speaking out). The Government must be acceptable
and accountable to the Zimbabwean people and the instruments of
the state- police, army, civil service, judiciary and media should
serve all the people. Zimbabwe needs an effective government which
tackles the humanitarian crisis, based on need not political affiliation.
The situation in Zimbabwe also requires action by both the Zimbabwean
government and the international community to tackle the economic
crisis in Zimbabwe, reducing poverty and the hardship which afflicts
millions of Zimbabweans. The settlement should also include provision
for a new constitution within a reasonable time frame based on wide
spread consultation and participation so the new constitution has
the approval of the Zimbabwean people.
ACTSA is engaged
in a process of consultation with our key partners in the region
and with them will be considering the implications of the political
settlement when the full details are known.
Tony Dykes,
Director of ACTSA said:
"The people
of Zimbabwe will be hoping that this marks the beginning of a process
that leads to democracy and development for the country. The road
to recovery for Zimbabwe could be a long and difficult one and Zimbabweans
will need international support and solidarity as they rebuild their
shattered country. The test of this political settlement is that
it meets the immediate needs of all Zimbabweans, provides a sound
basis for the restoration of democracy and for development which
benefits all."
ACTSA will be joined on Tuesday by Clever Bere, President of the
Zimbabwe National
Students' Union (ZINASU) and Brilliant Dube, Vice President.
Clever and Brilliant will be talking to a range of audiences about
the current situation in Zimbabwe throughout the week and will be
available for media interviews.
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