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Statement on the inauguration of the new Inclusive Government, JOMIC & related developments
Zimbabwe Watch
February 16, 2009

Zimbabwe Watch notes with deep concern that while the people of Zimbabwe waited for the Global Political Agreement, signed on 15 September, to get under way, the economy spiraled out of control at vertiginous speed and people were abducted and tortured, while the entire nation fell prey to a cholera epidemic from which 3,500 people have died so far. It is our view that none of this would have happened, had all the parties to the Agreement proceeded to implement it immediately, as intended. Those "principals" who continued to travel overseas and even holiday while the nation suffered have much to answer for.

As for the new Inclusive Government itself, it is fashionable to condemn it as still-born before it has even had time to take a breath, but Zimbabwe Watch believes that the nation should give it a chance. After all, there is no real alternative. ZW believes that indeed Zimbabweans can solve our own problems, provided we can count on the good will and support of our neighbours and the rest of the world: support which we will ask for, not support which others may foist upon us.

That said, ZW is deeply disappointed in the gender composition of the new government: 5 women in a cabinet of 36. This is a very long way from fulfilling the requirement for gender balance stipulated in the Agreement. ZW expected women's groups to lobby the parties, but if they did so, they were clearly ignored.

Zimbabwe Watch calls upon our new government to redress this imbalance through diplomatic, civil service and commission posts, so that women feature more prominently. Likewise, ZW calls upon every new minister to engage an advisory and/or oversight team of business, civil society, civil servants and other interested parties to set policy right and ensure implementation. ZW is particularly concerned about the new government's priorities, and how they will be financed. Clarity is required on whether it is intended to present a new budget, and if so, to what extent citizens will be able to make an input. ZW reminds the new government that the participation of ALL citizens is critical to its success.

ZW must register its disappointment that, at the very beginning of the new inclusive government at State House on Wednesday, the spirit of inter-party cooperation was sadly lacking in some respects. The choice of both pastor and poem were ill-advised and badly received, indicating that there was little or no consultation between the parties on the Inauguration programme, a bad omen of things to come, unless attention is paid to these "small" issues.

Likewise, ZW believes that new Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai should have taken care to issue official invitations to ALL parties, and to extend a public invitation to the entire nation to attend his celebration rally afterwards. This would have been in keeping with his call to forget our partisan differences and come together to work to rebuild our nation, and would have been a magnificent opportunity for Zimbabwe to really come together, celebrate and vow to rebuild our country.

"Start as you mean to go on" was never so valid as in these delicate first days of the new inclusive government. ZW calls on all the leaders to learn from their first mistakes and to be more circumspect from now on, if indeed they wish this new government to succeed.

ZW is heartened that JOMIC has begun its operations to Monitor and Implement the Agreement, but requests it to set up a permanent secretariat so that the public can contact it with their grievances, issues and concerns, as intended in the agreement. This committee faces an enormous amount of work: its task will be made even worse if it incurs the wrath of the general public at the very beginning by appearing to be shadowy and difficult to contact.

Lastly, ZW believes that it is up to the new government to ensure state compliance with court orders, if necessary by physically standing firm in the relevant location until those orders are respected. Only thus can the rule of law begin to return to our country.

*Zimbabwe Watch was formed to keep the basic principles for freedom, equality (including gender equality), justice and democracy at the forefront of our national vision and to ensure that they are adhered to in both policy and implementation at all levels of our society and government. Zimbabwe Watch believes that it is only by responding to contemporary issues important to Zimbabweans and compelling adherence to these basic principles that every Zimbabwean will be able to reach his or her maximum potential and that our nation can achieve maximum growth, development, creativity and democratic governance.

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