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Call for a national conference to resolve crisis
Zimbabwe Liberators Platform (ZLP)
February 20, 2006

Zimbabwe is going through an unprecedented political and socio-economic crisis. Overall, a constitutional and governance crisis has caused total paralysis. With a dearth of leadership, the country has slid into anarchy: no rule of law, endemic corruption, selective application of justice, blatant violation of human rights and freedoms, political intolerance (eg. criticizing government policy or incompetence is misconstrued as being unpatriotic, treasonous or foreign sponsored), indecisions, appalling international relations and dereliction of duty.

The political crisis has had a huge impact on the economy: hyperinflation currently at 613 percent and soaring, shortages of basic commodities, no foreign currency to purchase critical imports, virtually no tourism, no foreign investment, limited exports, no fuel to oil the economy, unemployment has reached a record high of over 70 percent, inconsistent and directionless monetary and fiscal policies, etc.

A humanitarian crisis has gripped the country since the land grabbing spree begun in 2000. The people face food shortages leading to poor health and malnutrition. With poor salaries and wages and facing a hyperinflationary environment, most households cannot meet their basic needs such as food, shelter, transport and education for children. People sank deeper into poverty when government destroyed people’s shelter and livelihood under the so-called "Operation Murambatsvina" last year. Most local authorities (mostly Harare) are overtaxing residents but are failing to deliver services. Public health institutions have virtually collapsed with most facilities either being obsolete or in disrepair because of limited budgetary allocations, lack of foreign currency and the abdication of responsibility. As a result, desperate people resort to traditional healers or go to these public institutions to die, as private hospitals and clinics are beyond their reach.

As this is happening, leaders of government and the ruling ZANU PF party are too arrogant to concede glaring failure or that there is a crisis. They wish the problem away. How do they hope to avert food shortages when they do not provide fertilizer? How can they fight pervasive corruption when the rot in high places is covered up? How can Zimbabwe be a healthy nation when essential drugs are in short supply? When people demand accountability, they are ignored and scorned. When they vote, the elections are rigged. Parliament passes draconian pieces of legislation and celebrates. The leaders use their forked tongues to isolate the country.

Leadership is about visionariness, accountability, integrity, selflessness, fairness, sensitivity, well considered national decisions and sound strategies. Remember the national anthem says, "…Navatungamiri vave nenduramo…" Nduramo means integrity or uprightness.

Do Zimbabwean leaders display any of the above qualities? If they do, the Zimbabwe Liberators Platform would like to propose that they swallow their pride, in the interest of the nation, and convene a national, all-stakeholders’ conference to resolve the national crisis.

Representatives of political parties, religious institutions, civil society organizations, business, workers, women, youth and students should gather at a secluded place, put their differences aside and discuss the future of their country. The conference should come up with a broad based transitional authority which would draft a new democratic constitution, organize and supervise democratic, free and fair elections as well as re-establish good bilateral and multilateral relations with all countries of the world, governmental organizations and donors.

Because of the nature of their business, church leaders could spearhead the convening of the conference and play a critical mediation role. They could/would also lead the transitional authority until a new government was established by the political party that would have won the elections.

In pursuance of a permanent resolution of the deep crisis, and in the interest of peace and posterity, the above proposal appears to be the only honourable and viable option for the country. In history, most wars and/or crises end at the negotiating table. The Lancaster House conference of 1979, for instance, ended Zimbabwe’s war of liberation, ushering in independence in 1980.

This is ZLP’s clarion call for a peaceful resolution of the national crisis!

Visit the ZLP fact sheet

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