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Thinking beyond the political settlement: The case for a longer & more inclusive conversation
Arthur Mutambara
July 25, 2008

On the Political Settlement

The signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) among the key political parties in Zimbabwe on the 21st of July 2008, presented a unique and historic occasion where national leaders showed political maturity by committing themselves to a dialogue process. It is important to make a few observations that will enable all of us to put everything into perspective and context. There is always the danger of missing the forest for the trees.

The MOU we signed in Zimbabwe is a very important document as it allowed us to begin negotiations on matters affecting our people. There is a political, economic and humanitarian crisis of immense proportion in our country. More importantly, there is an unprecedented political stalemate. The process we have started will result in a political settlement to this impasse, thus allowing Zimbabweans to collectively fashion a new beginning. Key activities will include addressing the humanitarian aspects of the crisis, and adopting mechanisms to salvage, recover and stabilize the economy. These dialogue outcomes we are determined to accomplish within two weeks from the 21st of July. Let me emphasize that the political agreement and the redemptive socio-economic plan we seek to achieve in these negotiations constitute a short-term measure in pursuit of the resolution of our national challenges. This stop-gap effort is neither the sustainable answer nor the long-term solution to our dire circumstances.

The Case for National Healing

Beyond the political agreement and adoption of a collective plan of action, we need to execute a program of national healing and rehabilitation for our people. This cannot be done in two weeks. What happened in our country in the past four months has traumatized our citizens. Our people have been brutalized and dehumanized. The culture and practice of our country-s politics have been taken back twenty years. There is need for public meetings such as the one we had in Harare on the 21st of July 2008, throughout the country in every city, and in every village. The Zimbabwean political leaders we had on that hotel stage, Robert Mugabe, Morgan Tsvangirai and Arthur Mutambara, must address rallies together and say jointly to the people of Zimbabwe: "It is okay to belong to different political parties. It is okay to vote for whomsoever you wish, and yes the will of the people shall be supreme, respected, and sovereign." This has to be the jointly presented message from these political leaders to all citizens. Only then can the national healing process start.

A Longer and More Inclusive Conversation

The political settlement we seek to achieve in the current dialogue process is just the beginning of an arduous journey. We need a longer and more inclusive conversation among Zimbabweans. In addition to agreeing on the borders of our country, and agreeing on the name of the country, why can-t we have a constitution that we all defend and revere? A people driven democratic constitution should be the basis of a sustainable solution to our national problems. With this foundational legal framework in place, the journey towards a peaceful, democratic and prosperous Zimbabwe can then begin. Such a constitution cannot be achieved in two weeks, only a commitment to the requisite processes and timeframes of its development is possible.

Furthermore, why can-t we have a shared economic vision, a 20-30 year economic vision for our country? This, the Promised Land, must be developed, discussed and agreed upon by all political parties, civic society organizations, the business community, and the general population at large. There must be total buy in and ownership of this uniquely Zimbabwean economic vision by all national stakeholders. However, the conception of the vision must be buttressed by creative and intelligent borrowing and learning from other successful economies and cultures. Beyond economic stabilization and recovery, why can-t we envisage economic transformation of Zimbabwe into a globally competitive economy, in twenty years time, in terms of GDP, per capita income, entrepreneurship, business growth, exports, productivity, competitiveness, financial literacy, and quality of life? We can then disagree and compete on strategies and tactics of achieving that common vision. The envisioning process cannot be done in two weeks. The most we can do is commit to the concept and principle, while defining the necessary processes.

Putting the National Interest First

In conclusion, the pursuit of a short-term socio-economic-political solution we are currently engaged in, and the efforts to address the long-term issues I have outlined above, must be driven by the national interest. This is not about Arthur Mutambara and his small political party. It is not about Morgan Tsvangirai and his party. It is not about Robert Mugabe and his party. It is about the people of Zimbabwe. As we negotiate and discuss amongst ourselves, we must put the national interest first, before self-interest and petty political party ambitions. We must be driven by what is good for the people of Zimbabwe. The best interests of our current and future citizens should be at the core of our value system. We must start thinking in terms of a cross-party generational agenda where we subordinate partisan interests to the national interest.

Resolving both the short- and long-term problems affecting our country constitute our generational mandate.

We shall rise to the challenge.

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