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GNU Watch - July 2009
IDASA
August 11, 2009

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This document is not meant to be a comprehensive report on the state of the interim government of Zimbabwe. Rather it is aimed at giving an overview, month by month, of political developments under the terms set out in the Global Political Agreement (GPA). The sections profiled in monthly outputs may vary depending on events and issues raised in that particular report. Where possible, the relevant article as stipulated in the GPA has been provided. As this documentation began in April, there may at times be references to activities or events that took place in previous months.

Article II Commitment

Quotations by public figures pertaining to the GNU:

"Foreign direct investment is most welcomed as it brings new technology, capital and new markets," Such policies as the indigenisation and economic empowerment act should not be viewed as obstacles to investment promotion... They should be welcomed as promotive of the greater participation of our people in the economy." Robert Mugabe - President, 9 July 2009

"We had provided our people with hope and we have people trying to undermine that hope. I hope that the speaker of parliament and the parliamentary select committee can put the process back on rail as soon as possible because we need this constitution." Morgan Tsvangirai - Prime Minister, 13 July 2009

"The green shoots of recovery that are beginning to sprout don't mean we are out of the woods." Tendai Biti - Finance Minister, 16 July 2009

"As the Speaker of Parliament, I will make sure that the people's will in having a truly representative constitution is done. As Parliament, we are not going to write a Constitution on behalf of the people, but we are laying the ground for the people's full participation in the Constitution-making process." Hon. Lovemore Moyo - Speaker of Parliament, 26 July 2009

"We promise you real change not the one where people bicker over cars and on what document should be used as the basis for change." Simba Makoni - Mavambo-Kusile-Dawn, 1 July 2009

Article VI Constitution

A Peoples Constitutional Convention was held on the 3rd and 4th of July to give civil society the opportunity to debate and define which key principles and processes should be followed in the process of drafting of a new constitution.

From the 13th to 15th the First All Stakeholders Constitutional Conference was hosted by the Parliamentary Select Committee. Approximately 234 NGO's attended, excluding the NCA and the ZCTU who boycotted the event because of differences of opinion on the process of constitution making. 18 thematic committees were established: Media, the Founding Principles of the Constitution Committee, Arms of the State (Principles of the Separation of Powers), Systems of Governance, Bill of Rights, Women and Gender Issues, Youth, Land, Natural Resources and Empowerment; Labour; Elections, Transitional Mechanisms and Independent Commissions; Executive Organs of the State; Public Finance; Tradition, Traditional Institutions and Customs; Religion, the Disabled and Freedom Fighters. Each committee must be chaired by an MP according to the GPA though it has been suggested that each committee will have a stakeholder representative as deputy chair.

Commissioners who will serve on the Media Commission, the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission, the Anti-Corruption Commission and the Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission have still not been appointed. The deadline for applications was the 19th of June, but no action has been taken. Dr. Tafataona Mahoso is thought to be a front runner for the ZMC, the former head of the now defunct Media and Information Commission along with Chris Mutsvangwa, former Bejing Ambassador and Vimbai Chivaura, a known Mugabe loyalist.

The first All Stakeholders Conference was due to begin on the 10th, but was postponed until the 13th because of Zanu PF concerns about the start date. This meant that the event missed the deadline 2 set in the GPA of the 12th. The event was also shortened to two days in stead of the original four due to budget constraints and lost a further half day due to political interference by Zanu PF supporters at the venue, actions which were harshly criticised by all three principals. 4000 people were scheduled to attend, but less than 400 had been accredited on the morning of the conference frustrating thousands of participants. Civics claimed that accreditation procedures were not clear which allowed for political party supporters to dominate the crowds attending the conference.

President Robert Mugabe is insisting that the Kariba Draft Constitution be used as the defining document in drafting a new constitution, a position that is supported by JOMIC. This document has been widely criticised given the president powers contained within it. Other stakeholders would like the Kariba Draft to be no more than a reference document, a view that was upheld by cochairperson of the Parliamentary Select Committee on Constitutional Reform, Douglas Mwonzora who said Mugabe's statements or preferences were not binding in the process.

Several Zanu PF youths have been deployed nationwide to campaign for the use of the Kariba Draft Constitution, apparently using intimidation in campaigning for the adoption of the document.

The NCA announced that it was embarking on a parallel process for the drafting of a new constitution. "The NCA with the special support of ZCTU and ZINASU will convene the second people's convention on Monday 27 July, 2009. Our agenda is to get a genuine process that will give our country a democratic constitution," said the NCA chairman. The event was held in Chitungwiza and reportedly had over 6000 delegates from 68 different groups.

The ZCTU have accused both MDC parties of betraying the people of Zimbabwe by allowing a parliamentary led process to be used in the crafting of a new constitution. ZCTU secretary general Wellington Chibebe said "The ZCTU is custodian of the resolutions of the national working peoples' convention (that preceded formation of the MDC) and will endeavour to follow to the book what was agreed then."

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