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National Council Resolutions
Movement for Democratic Change (MDC)
July 28, 2007

1. Economic Crisis

The National Council noted with deep concern the continued deteriorating economic situation in Zimbabwe.

The National Council further noted that the current economic malaise is a direct result of the failed policies of Robert Mugabe and ZANU-PF that have continued to provide no respite to the suffering of Zimbabweans but have largely benefited Senior ZANU-PF officials and their party loyalists.

In this regard the National Council noted the current Price Reduction exercise being carried out by ZANU-PF as an ineffective and short term strategy addressing symptoms and not causes of our national challenges. First and foremost how did these prices get out of hand? Yes, the people of Zimbabwe deserve affordable prices for basic commodities and services. However, these commodities and services must be available. The ZANU-PF meaningless and populist efforts have created unprecedented shortages. Businesses must be able to function in a sustainable and profitable manner. Currently many companies are shutting down leading to major de-industrialization. It is the view of the National Council that there is a need for a holistic approach that deals with fundamental causes of the Zimbabwe crisis; political illegitimacy, poor country governance and lack of both economic vision and strategy. These foundational matters have to be resolved in a holistic approach that involves all stake holders, nationally, regionally and internationally.

Consequently, the National Council resolved to mandate the leadership to engage with the SADC Summit after the presentation of the economic report on Zimbabwe and call upon SADC to ensure that there is a strategic link between the economic report and the political report.

More significantly, Council noted that Zimbabweans cannot outsource their emancipation and liberation to foreigners. We must not be solely dependent on the Mbeki initiative. We must have an alternative program of action on the ground that seeks to achieve conditions for free and fair elections. Consequently, Council resolved to intensify the defiance campaign activities in conjunction with other political parties and civic society organisations. In the battle to make Zimbabwe a peaceful, democratic and prosperous nation, we must be masters of our own destiny.

2. MDC and the International Community

The National Council noted the increasing international solidarity with the people of Zimbabwe, in particular among African Governments and people.

In this regard the National Council resolved to thank all those who have voiced their concern over the Zimbabwean crisis, particularly the African fraternity.

The National Council further resolved to acknowledge the just ended SACP Congress invitation extended to the Party as a positive development in the recognition of the party among the African Fraternity.

3. Internal Dialogue

Code of Conduct

The National Council noted that the Code of Conduct that was intended to govern relations between the two MDC formations had not come into force.

The National Council further noted that whereas as a Party we had agreed to the code of conduct, the failure by the Morgan Tsvangirai led formation to avail themselves to a press conference to formally adopt and launch the code had resulted in the Code of Conduct remaining an unused document. Today we formally make this document public.

Coalition Agreement

• The National Council noted that as a party we have consistently called for unity of purpose among all democratic forces, particularly the need to adopt the single candidate principle announced by the President of our Party on the 16th March 2007.
• The National Council further noted that over the last ten months both formations of the MDC have been engaged in private internal negotiations which have in recent months focused on how to bring to fruition the single candidate philosophy. These negotiations culminated in a draft Coalition Agreement which seeks to give Zimbabweans an opportunity for a concerted effort to dislodge ZANU-PF. Today we official make this agreement public.
• The National Council resolved to formally adopt the Coalition Agreement as is, i.e., as initially adopted by the two negotiating teams
• The National Council noted that the Tsvangirai formation has rejected this Coalition agreement. Fellow Zimbabweans, it is with a heavy heart that we announce that our colleagues have rejected a united front of all democratic forces that would have increased the opportunity for us to defeat the criminal regime of Robert Mugabe. Unity of purpose and action is essential to energise and mobilise the people of Zimbabwe in their pursuit of change, more so when it is clear that the conditions of our elections will be neither free nor fair. If Morgan Tsvangirai does not understand the strategic value of unity in our struggle against Mugabe, Council wonders whether he is fit to be the President of Zimbabwe. If Morgan Tsvangirai is such a weak and indecisive leader who cannot embrace what ordinary Zimbabweans are demanding (unity of action and purpose), is he worthy of the presidency of this country? Zimbabweans deserve better leadership.
• Consequently, the National Council resolved to proceed on its own in preparation for any future elections. We will be fielding our own Presidential candidate against both Robert Mugabe and Morgan Tsvangirai. We are here to present strategic vision and decisive leadership. The people of Zimbabwe demand nothing less.
• The National Council further resolved that the Party still believes in the need for democratic forces to wok together. Unity of purpose and action in the opposition is still a core and central organising principle of the Party. However, the Party will only participate in a process that gives life to the united front inspired by single candidate philosophy where there is mutual respect and trust for all parties.

4. Save Zimbabwe Campaign

The National Council noted the previous Resolution of the National Council to participate in the Save Zimbabwe Campaign.

The National Council further noted that the founding principles and purpose of the Save Zimbabwe Campaign was to provide a broad platform for democratic forces to confront the regime of Robert Mugabe on an equal platform and further that that the Save Zimbabwe Campaign was not intended to further the interests of any one grouping.

The National Council noted that as a Party we have continuously raised our concern with the conveners of the Save Zimbabwe Campaign, the Christian Alliance in respect of the lack of transparency in the manner the Save Zimbabwe Campaign operates.

The National Council further noted that the Save Zimbabwe Campaign has largely remained an organisation that furthers the interests of a few individuals and has abandoned the founding values and principles of The Save Zimbabwe Campaign. It has become a vehicle to solely advance the perverted agenda of Morgan Tsvangirai.

National Council resolved to immediately withdraw the MDC from the Save Zimbabwe Campaign because of its inability to work as a broad platform of equals.

5. Archbishop Pius Ncube

The National Council noted the immense contribution made by Archbishop Pius Ncube to the struggle against the Mugabe dictatorship over the years, and his consistent outspokenness on the crimes of the regime from Gukurahundi to Murambatsvina.

The National Council noted the state orchestrated allegations levelled against Archbishop Pius Ncube and that these were designed specifically to tarnish his image and to prevent him from continuing to stand up against the Mugabe regime.

The National Council resolved to express solidarity with Archbishop Ncube.

6. ZINWA

The National Council noted that the water situation in Bulawayo had reached critical levels to the extent that residents were receiving water for less than 3 hours per day.

Council further noted that Bulawayo's water woes could easily be ameliorated with the construction of the proposed pipeline from Mtchabezi Dam to Umzingwane Dam, a distance of merely 35km.

Council resolved to call upon government to immediately expedite the construction of the pipeline from Mtchabezi Dam to Umzingwane Dam.

Arthur G.O. Mutambara
MDC President

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