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Inclusive government - Index of articles
Politicians, put your words into action!
Crisis
in Zimbabwe Coalition
October 19, 2010
Ululation and
whistling penetrated the hot, dry day. Hoards of Zimbabweans, from
all walks of life descended upon the streets of Harare headed for
the regal Rainbow Towers to witness the great occasion. To the hopeful
Zimbabweans, 15 September 2008 signified the broken impasse and
for the first time in many years, a ray of hope shone on the faces
of those gathered. Most believed that Zimbabwe was on the road to
economic and political recovery.
More than two
years after the historic day, a dark shadow stands between the dreams
of the majority and the reality which confronts them. The impasse,
which resulted in a five month break between signing of the agreement
and swearing in of the inclusive government, remains. Political
parties signatory to the September 2008 agreement, ZANU PF and the
two Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) formations are stuck in
a whirlwind of negotiations, counter-negotiations, accusations and
counter- accusations. ZANU PF has continuously betrayed the people
by adamantly refusing to play its part in the implementation of
the agreement and recklessly claiming that the agreement is not
part of the constitution and as such is inconsequential. The reason
for ZANU PF's non- implementation of provisions of the GPA
has been around the cliché that the MDC should remove targeted
sanctions imposed over the past decade, before the party budges
to any reforms.
It is a fact which ZANU PF intentionally ignores
that targeted sanctions or restrictive measures were not put in
place by the MDC but by autonomous states with the right to self-
determination. These measures were put in place as a result of the
internal sanctions imposed by the former ruling government on their
people through the enactment of repressive laws and the stifling
of dissenting voices as well as acts of violence against perceived
opponents. The failure by the then ZANU PF led government to uphold
fundamental freedoms of citizens and the disrespect of the rule
of law ultimately led to the introduction of targeted sanctions.
It is thus not the sole responsibility of the MDC to advocate for
the lifting of these measures but the responsibility of the inclusive
government to ensure that reforms are put in place and fundamental
freedoms respected. ZANU PF should not continue using the 'sanctions'
mantra to deprive the nation of much needed reforms. While the party
is blaming the continued existence of targeted sanctions on the
MDC, elements within ZANU PF continue instigating violence against
innocent civilians and negating the rights of the majority. Surprisingly,
ZANU PF wants targeted sanctions to be lifted for reforms to take
place yet the party has continuously advocated for 'local
solutions to local problems'. So why wait for the lifting
of restrictive measures to fully implement the GPA?
Contrary to claims by ZANU PF, amendment 19 is part
of the constitution and as such every provision should be upheld
and respected. The ZANU PF Spokesperson, Rugare Gumbo was quoted
in the party's mouthpiece, The Herald of 14th of October 2010
as saying, 'President Mugabe and ZANU PF are committed to
the GPA and have always been adhering to its principle and dictates'.
If events of the past two years are anything to go by, it is evident
that ZANU PF grossly misrepresents facts. The political party has
breached most of the provisions outlined in the agreement including
the swearing in of the Deputy Minister of Agriculture designate,
Roy Bennett, swearing in of governors and ambassadors and dismantling
of all instruments of violence controlled by the party among other
issues. The re-deployment of ambassadors and extension of terms
of provincial governors are cases in point of the insincerity of
the political party. Statements which are continuously churned out
through The Herald and other ZANU PF controlled media outlets show
how the MDC is considered as a place holder in the government with
no significant power to make key decisions.
The inclusive government should be cognisant of
the fact that the role of any well meaning government is to maintain
social order, protect its citizens and property. In defining the
role of government, John Stuart Mill (1861) stated that 'security
of person and property, and equal justice between individuals, are
the first needs of society and the primary ends of government...'.The
inclusive government of Zimbabwe is doing a great disservice to
citizens of the country by failing to fully implement the GPA which
is key in ushering in democratic imperatives and in ensuring security
of persons and property and equality before the law among other
reforms. There is need for parties to the agreement particularly
ZANU PF to look beyond their political differences and power struggles
and end the apparent impasse. Without revisiting their priorities
and putting the needs of Zimbabweans first, the inclusive government
would have failed the nation and ruptured any hopes of socio-economic
and political resuscitation.
Visit the Crisis
in Zimbabwe fact
sheet
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