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My musings on day 1 of the All Stakeholders Conference
McDonald Lewanika
July 13, 2009 21:07hrs

As I write, I am supposed to be doing so at the end of what was supposed to be day 1 of the All Stakeholders Conference on Constitutional Reform. Needless to say, that this was a day in the process, that never was. I am sure that by now, through various news channels, conversations with colleagues and other sources, the events of today have since been relayed to you. The bottom line being that at the very beginning of proceedings which started 4 hours late, a group of ZANU PF supporters interrupted the speaker of parliament, in mid speech chanting and singing, and in spite of the valiant efforts by some MDC officials led by Tendai Biti, who stayed the course and continued sitting in chairs, in spite of the intimidation, verbal assaults and in some instances physical assault, they managed to disrupt the conference. The reason now being given is that the national anthem was not sung, but it was clear during all these proceedings that there were elements in ZANU PF who came determined to ensure that the process would not take off.

It is clear also from todays happenings that whatever they may say, ZANU PF is not keen on a new constitution, and in spite of all the talk on Kariba, anything that threatens its hold on power is not easily tolerated, and I am sure that should the process continue, these intentions will manifest themselves at almost each turn. One waits to see what happens tomorrow though. By 6 p.m the Select Committee announced to applause that the conference would continue in earnest tomorrow. One hopes that the applause to this message from the committee is symbolic of the determination to proceed with the process of writing a new constitution from the various stakeholders who had gathered at HICC specifically for this furthering this agenda.

But in the same breath, one cannot dismiss or even wish away the very harsh realities that confronted people today. It was made clear that to get any meaningful reforms, its going to be a battle all the way. Added to this is the intimidation that was sent out by todays disruptions, and an unmistakable message that characterized the chants - " if every thing else fails, we will do what we did in June". The memories of what happened in June ahead of the run off are still fresh in peoples minds, and the fact that those behind the hideous crimes of last year can continue to use this as a threat speaks volumes about the nature of justice and impunity where human rights violations are concerned. It gives currency to the need for out standing transitional justice issues in zimbabwe. And the question needs to be asked, to what level can you expect meaningful discussions to take place in the midst of such intimidation? Is it not better to count our losses and call this a lost cause where no progress can be made? Or like a colleague put it across at a Crisis Cooardinating Committee meeting over the weakend, " salvage what is left our reputations and get back to square 1".

I think the writing was on the wall for all to see, that ZANU PF is a largely unchanged creature, and where they cannot move their discourse into democratic terrain they revert to violence and intimidation. It was plain enough to see, that in spite of the short comings of the select committee process, ZANU PF sees the real possibility of meaningful change even via this process, and they would like nothing more than to put paid to it.

After the disruption today, colleagues representing the various groups from Civic Society who were attending the ASC met to discuss the import of what had happened and to shape a way forward. Ostensibly, everyone saw what the meaning of the events was, and everyone agreed that under the circumstances there was no way that the conference could have proceeded to day. A delegation was assembled and sent to meet the select committee, on issues around our disappointment at the disruption, our concern at the noncommittal approach by the police as people were being insulted and assaulted by a small recognizable group of ZANU PF supporters, and to suggest ways in which the process could be salvaged, while hearing what the committee had to say with regards to the above and the way forward.

The feedback from the committee was to the effect that they would issue a public apology, urge delegates to return the next day to proceed with the conference, while taking measures to enhance security at the venue. A statement coming out of the civic society caucus has since been done, and a commitment to observing the next days proceedings been undertaken.

We wait to see how tomorrow unfolds, but indeed confidence in the process, which was already low, was dented by the proceedings today. However, there is also a clear determination by well meaning Zimbabweans not to allow ZANU PF to have its way. It is this determination that will see a near full house assemble at the HICC tomorrow. It is clear that the intention of todays proceedings was not merely to disrupt the meeting, but to disrupt the entire process of constitutional reform. While it is hard, and indeed scary to try to imagine what the process will be like if it continues, it is also my submission that ZANU PF, or at least some elements in ZANU PF, have now shown their hand, and since we know it, it is up to us to see what hands we play which neutralize what they have shown. It is up to all well meaning Zimbabweans to see to it that those who want to derail the transition to democracy do not get their way easily, if at all.

The options are clear, either this tendency that was seen today is fought, or we stand aside and say this is too much to handle. But at some point, knowing all the strength and the arsenal at the disposal of the bully, someone needs to continue standing up to the same bully, until there is no more bullying taking place. It is easy to take the easy option and opt out of all this - and say we will have nothing to do with this chaos, what is more difficult is to stay and fight, and say we will not allow this to stop and hinder progress. I believe that it is true that sometimes you fall only to rise again, that it is darkest before dawn, and that the birth of a child is celebrated more because of the birth pains and hours of labour.

If it comes to pass that this process fails to take off. I believe that these will be sufficient enough grounds to end the unholy matrimony that is the GPA. If it does continue, i believe it is a warning light to all of us, that as we discuss issues around process and content of the constitution, we should bear in mind that we are not operating in a normal country, and that we are faced with the urgency of now, where reforms to institutions like the police are concerned, where reforms to legislation that militates against peoples freedoms are concerned, and where the vehicles of spin, propaganda are concerned. We should focus on the political environment to ensure that a meaningful environment free from fear exists in order for people to stand up to bullying system.

We will not succeed in getting a perfect situation, in fact a perfect situation, perfect process and perfect environment may never exist, but we can try as best we can to move towards it, through constant pressure on the reforms, and through keeping the need for a new democratic constitution alive. We will do this in different ways, we will not always agree on how best to do the above, but for a start if we all do things that we think move us in that direction - i think that will be a fair start.

I am just hearing the news saying that the disruption was caused by ZINASU, and that Lovemore Moyo provoked people by using party symbols, but the truth is known. ZANU PF is limping but alive and can still give a potent kick. They are spoiling for a fight not just with the MDC, but with everyone. It will try to continue pushing a wedge between civil society ( NCA/ZCTU vs Everyone else), it will continue trying to push a wedge between pro-democracy forces ( the MDC agreed to Kariba and signed it, yet civil society is saying no to it) - in fact you can be sure that today its Kariba, if they loose that battle, tomorrow it will be something else. They should not and cannot be allowed to prevail, in a country where they are in the minority.

But like today, if the silent majority remains silent, they will prevail, as they have done in the past. The biggest defeat that they can be handed at this point, is to try to ensure that the attempts to stop the All Stakeholders conference are not success. It is not only undemocratic, it is unacceptable and should not be tolerated. Ideal, would be a situation where we stood united especially as civic society. But in the absence of that, those who chose to attend the stakeholders conference should stand up to the bully, and claim that as stakeholders this is their meeting and they will not broach any interference and disruptions. After all evil does prevail, when the good do nothing. After all, its our country too.

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