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Zimbabwe CSO position on ongoing talks
Zimbabwe Civil Society
August 13, 2008

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Background and Introduction

This is a compendium of positions taken by civil society organisations in Zimbabwe on the talks between ZANU PF and the two formations of the MDC, under the auspices of SADC, supported and endorsed by the African Union and facilitated by South African president Thabo Mbeki.

A Memorandum of understanding (MOU) was signed on 21 July 2008, to begin substantive talks between the main political parties which have representation in parliament. The talks are a response to a deepening political, economic and humanitarian crisis worsened by a disputed election run off between Robert Mugabe of ZANU PF and Morgan Tsvangirai of the MDC, who withdrew citing election irregularities. The election was dismissed by SADC and AU observer missions as not representing the will of the people of Zimbabwe and not providing ZANU PF the legitimacy they were looking for.

The MOU acknowledges "the recent challenges and the multiple threats to the well-being of our people" and the signing was a commitment by the political parties to work together to find a lasting solution to the country's crisis through dialogue. The MOU also had interim easures which include the issuing of statements condemning violence, taking "all measures necessary to ensure that the structures and institutions it controls are not engaged in the perpetration of violence" and "eliminate all forms of political violence, including by non-state actors" as well as ensuring the safe return of internally displaced persons and enabling humanitarian and social welfare organisations to render assistance.

Despite this MOU and ongoing talks between the MDC's and ZANU PF, violence against the opposition has continued and humanitarian access has still not been given to organisations working in the field, particularly the governmental ban on NGO's has not been lifted begging the question of real commitment to these talks. Various organisations such as the Solidarity Peace Trust have produced very specific and well researched reports on the violence clearly showing the extreme level of violence which amount to the worst state-led violence that Zimbabweans have experienced since the Gukurahundi massacres of the mid 1980's.

While the negotiation process has not given any formal space for Civil Society positions to be taken up, these are of crucial importance both because they are views of specialists in various areas of expertise and because, for any outcome of the negotiations to be sustainable, it needs to have ownership by the people of Zimbabwe. Experts from Civil Society will be involved in reconstruction scenarios as experts and implementers. It is also important to note that some of the organisations are broad based, grass roots organisation with wide membership, presenting consulted views from their membership. Issues raised by Civil Society are therefore important because they highlight processes and ownership issues as well as areas of attention for any reconstruction strategy.

Any government emerging from these talks will need technical and financial support from the international community. The views presented here therefore form an outline of some of the most urgent areas of attention to be considered by the international community if and when re-engaging Zimbabwe. Particularly any reengagement between the broader international community and Zimbabwe needs to consider and address the benchmarks for reengagement set up by Civil Society organisations and presented here. Monitoring and evaluation mechanism have to be put in place to guarantee the security and well being of the Zimbabwean people, ensure human rights are respected, and democratic principles are observed. Civil society will play a vital monitoring role in this process.

In the event of Mugabe and his party once again block the mediation process in the current round of negotiations, concerted and strong actions to increase pressure and isolate the ZANU PF regime must be taken by SADC, the UN and Civic groups in the region and internationally.

The compendium begins with a summary of the main issues and the benchmarks for possible engagement put forward by 14 Civil Society Organisations. The last section has recommendations to the political parties, the facilitator and the international community.

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