Today, the MDC's National Council met as we once again find ourselves at an historic crossroads in our decade-long struggle for democracy. Throughout this struggle, the MDC has been guided by the principles of democracy and by the will of the people. This campaign is neither easy nor straightforward and often we have had to change the fronts on which we wage the struggle in response to changing circumstances and conditions.
The MDC was established to bring about change through the ballot box. This we achieved despite overwhelming odds, culminating in our historic victories in the March 29th Parliamentary, Presidential and local government elections.
Then, the brutal campaign of violence unleashed against our supporters by Zanu PF, forced us to withdraw from the June 27th event. Thus it became obvious that we could no longer wage our struggle via the polling booth.
We looked to the region to support our position and the will of the people by acknowledging the results of March 29th as the basis on which a new government should be formed. Subsequently, we succeeded in forcing Zanu PF to the negotiating table which became the new frontline in our quest for a democratic Zimbabwe. It was for this reason that we signed the Global Political Agreement on September 15th, 2008.
I know that you are very familiar with the events from that date. We in the MDC have abided by the letter and spirit of both the Memorandum of Understanding and the GPA. Sadly, Zanu PF was not the type of constructive and positive partner that we envisaged when we signed the GPA and therefore, the consummation of the agreement has been subject to unnecessary delays.
Nonetheless, we have consistently tabled our outstanding issues to SADC and we have remained committed to finding a negotiated settlement to the political crisis in Zimbabwe. This process culminated in the SADC summit on Monday 26th January, where the Southern African leaders made the following resolutions:
The parties shall endeavour to cause Parliament to pass the Constitutional Amendment 19 by 5 February 2009.
The Prime Minister and the Deputy Prime Ministers shall be sworn in by 11 February 2009:
The Ministers and Deputy Ministers shall be sworn in on 13 February 2009, which will conclude the process of the formation of the inclusive government.
The Joint-Monitoring and Implementation Committee (JOMIC), provided for in the Global Political Agreement, shall be activated immediately. The first meeting of JOMIC shall be convened by the facilitator on 30 January 2009 and shall, among other things, elect the chairpersons;
The allocation of ministerial portfolios endorsed by the SADC Extraordinary Summit held on 9 November 2008 shall be reviewed six (6) months after the inauguration of the inclusive government.
The appointments of the Reserve Bank Governor and the Attorney General will be dealt with by the inclusive government after its formation
The negotiators of the parties shall meet immediately to consider the National Security Bill submitted by the MDC-T as well as the formula for the distribution of governors: While we felt that these resolutions do not represent an acknowledgement of all our issues, they do represent significant concessions on the part of Zanu PF and a recognition by SADC that our demands are justified as a first step towards a sustainable solution to the Zimbabwe crisis.
Our National Council's meeting today was therefore convened to evaluate the party's position in relation to the inclusive government. The concessions made by Zanu PF incorporate four out of the five outstanding issues. These four issues are the allocation of Provincial Governors, the National Security Legislation, Constitutional Amendment 19 and the breaches to the Global Political Agreement.
Thus, the parties have agreed on the sharing of Provincial Governors portfolios and have already met to begin negotiations on the allocation formula. Similarly, with regard to the National Security Legislation, the negotiators have met to discuss the draft bill submitted by the MDC.
It is clear therefore that these two issues are subject to negotiation and therefore constitute work in progress. It is hoped that the work in progress will be concluded to the satisfaction of all the parties as soon as possible.
The third issue relates to Constitutional Amendment 19. The MDC has insisted that Constitutional Amendment 19 is enacted by parliament and signed into law prior to the swearing in of the Prime Minister and this has been agreed to by the parties as reflected in the SADC communiqué.
On the issue of the equitable allocation of ministerial portfolios, SADC reiterated its position from November 9th, 2008 and expanded its commitment to review the allocation of all ministries, not only Home Affairs, within six months of an inclusive government being formed.
On the breaches to the GPA and the MOU, SADC resolved that the Joint-Monitoring Implementation Committee (JOMIC), is established to review and reverse these breaches. This committee comprises four members from MDC-T, four members from MDC-M and four members from Zanu PF.
However, the MDC is concerned that the issue of the unwarranted and illegal abductions and detentions of MDC members and other democratic activists needs to be addressed as a matter of urgency and to this effect, the MDC will ensure an end to the persecution of all Zimbabweans.
In light of these resolutions, todays's debate centred around two issues:
Firstly, what will allow us the best opportunity to continue to pursue our goal of achieving a free, democratic Zimbabwe in line with the roadmap from our Congress of March 2006? and;
Secondly, what is the best way of alleviating the suffering of the Zimbabwean people, stabilising the economy and restoring and retaining some semblance of a normal society?
Let us make no mistake, by joining an inclusive government, we are not saying that this is a solution to the Zimbabwe crisis, instead our participation signifies that we have chosen to continue the struggle for a democratic Zimbabwe in a new arena. This agreement is a significant milestone on our journey to democracy but it does not signify that we have arrived at our destination – we are committed to establishing a democratic Zimbabwe regardless of how long that struggle takes us.
We have the majority in parliament, we control all the main urban councils and many rural councils, we will have control of 13 ministries and a presence in the key decision-making bodies of the executive.
Throughout the course of our deliberations today we referred to, and were guided by, the road map that we established for ourselves in March 2006, namely - negotiations, a transitional authority, a people driven constitution and fresh, free and fair elections.
In this respect, the National Council resolved that through joining an inclusive government in line with the GPA and the SADC resolutions the party will be able to achieve the following:
To move towards a new, democratic Zimbabwe by ensuring that a people-driven constitution is crafted and adopted.
That this inclusive government will serve as a transitional authority leading to free and fair elections.
The restoration of the people's freedoms through creating democratic space, restoring the rule of law and basic human rights.
The stabilisation and rebuilding of the economy and the provision of all essential services, in particular health care and education.
To maintain the principles of the working people's convention established in 1999.
To ensure that we begin a process of national healing and integration.
Therefore, in accordance with the party's constitution, the political agreement we signed on September 15th 2008, and in the best interests of the welfare of all Zimbabweans the MDC has resolved to form an inclusive government with Zanu PF and MDC-M.
The success of this inclusive government is dependent on many factors including the goodwill of the parties involved, the support of the people of Zimbabwe and the continued engagement and vigilance of SADC, AU and the broader international community in ensurinhg that all parties are bound by the letter and spirit of the GPA and the commitments made at the last SADC summit. In this respect, the party shall continue to monitor the implementation of the agreement, in particular in shall assess and review its position in the inclusive government after 6 months in line with the SADC resolutions.
Now is the time for us to put aside our political differences , to prioritise the welfare of the people in both our policies and our actions and to focus on stabilisation, development, progress and democratization. In this I know that we have the support of the vast majority of Zimbabweans, both in Zanu PF and the MDC, in the civil service,the workers and the business community and we look forward to working with you to rebuild our great nation.
In conclusion, I would like to note that in this struggle we have not been alone. I wish to acknowledge the commitment and perseverance of SADC to finding a negotiated solution to the political crisis. In particular, we have had the unwavering support of our regional allies who have stood by us and our democratic ideals throughout this process and we are grateful for their solidarity.
We would like to acknowledge the support and solidarity that we have had from trade unions, civil society and democratic peoples' and governments all over the world. We appreciate this support and know that we could not have come this far without them.
Most importantly of all, we have had the support of the people. A people who have stood by their right to live in freedom, with access to jobs, health care, education and prosperity in such a principled and peaceful manner.
I would like to appeal to all these forces to continue to support us in whatever decision we take because the struggle is not over, our commitment is not lessened, our vision is not dulled and our resolve has not been weakened.
We will deliver a New Zimbabwe to the people.
The struggle continues.
I thank you
** Morgan Tsvangirai's statement on the Resolutions of the Party's National Council Meeting at Harvest House was circulated by Press Release on 30 January 2009
Friday, January 30, 2009
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Zimbabwe cholera outbreak kills more than 3,000
By Nelson Banya
HARARE (Reuters) – Cholera has killed more than 3,000 Zimbabweans and infected at least 57,000, the World Health Organization said on Wednesday, making it the deadliest outbreak in Africa in 15 years.The disease has spread as rival political parties struggle to implement a power-sharing agreement reached in September and seen as a chance to ease the humanitarian crisis and save the faltering economy.
Regional leaders decided at a summit on Tuesday that a unity government should be formed next month. Fears of the cholera spreading in Zimbabwe have stepped up pressure on rival parties to end the political uncertainty.
WHO figures showed an increase of 57 deaths and 1,579 new infections since Tuesday. The outbreak has hit the entire country, leading to a high overall case fatality rate of 5.3 percent.
Opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai has said he agrees to form a government with President Robert Mugabe although his Movement for Democratic Change voiced disappointment with the deal reached at the summit, a South African newspaper reported.
MDC officials are expected to meet on Friday to discuss how to proceed.
HARARE (Reuters) – Cholera has killed more than 3,000 Zimbabweans and infected at least 57,000, the World Health Organization said on Wednesday, making it the deadliest outbreak in Africa in 15 years.The disease has spread as rival political parties struggle to implement a power-sharing agreement reached in September and seen as a chance to ease the humanitarian crisis and save the faltering economy.
Regional leaders decided at a summit on Tuesday that a unity government should be formed next month. Fears of the cholera spreading in Zimbabwe have stepped up pressure on rival parties to end the political uncertainty.
WHO figures showed an increase of 57 deaths and 1,579 new infections since Tuesday. The outbreak has hit the entire country, leading to a high overall case fatality rate of 5.3 percent.
Opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai has said he agrees to form a government with President Robert Mugabe although his Movement for Democratic Change voiced disappointment with the deal reached at the summit, a South African newspaper reported.
MDC officials are expected to meet on Friday to discuss how to proceed.
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
MDC contradicts SADC Communiqué on talks
Any hope of clarity coming out of the Zimbabwe talks were dashed on Tuesday when conflicting statements were issued by SADC and the MDC-T.
The SADC communiqué claimed that a breakthrough had been reached and an inclusive government was expected to be formed by mid February. SADC chairman and South African President Kgalema Motlanthe told reporters that MDC President Morgan Tsvangirai had agreed to form a unity government with Robert Mugabe and had agreed to the co-sharing of the disputed Home Affairs Ministry.
The communiqué stated that the parties would ‘endeavour to cause parliament to pass Constitutional Amendment 19 by 5th February,’ which would be followed by the swearing-in of the Prime Minister - Morgan Tsvangirai, and the Deputy Prime Ministers - Arthur Mutambara and Thokozani Khupe by 11th February.
Ministers and Deputy Ministers would then be sworn in on the 13th February, which would conclude the process of the formation of the inclusive government. The summit decided that the remaining ‘sticking points’ of the deal would be dealt with after a government had been implemented. These include the equitable allocation of disputed ministries.
On Tuesday ZANU PF leader Robert Mugabe added his support to the communiqué. He told reporters when he arrived back in Harare from the summit: "We hope that this will open up a new chapter in our political relations in the country and in structures of government."
However, the Tsvangirai MDC issued a statement saying the SADC communiqué fell far short of its expectations and its National Council would meet on Friday to define the party position.
The MDC stated: “It was our expectation that the SADC processes would be above board, and be beyond reproach. Regrettably, once again we note that Mr. Mugabe was allowed to sit-in during the closed session of the plenary meetings. Thus, once again Mr. Mugabe has been unfairly allowed to be a judge in his own cause.”
As usual Zimbabweans are left confused, not knowing who or what to believe. It is not clear what went down during the closed door session but judging by the conflicting statements from the MDC and SADC, nothing has changed and nothing has been clarified.
A Zimbabwean commentator Glen Mpani said: “I see no logic in the MDC referring the matter to their National Council, as the Council has already made its position clear on the conditions they would want to join the government, which unfortunately no inch of those demands has been met. The media reports clearly show that someone is being economic with the truth. It’s either SADC is so stubborn, to the extent that it is ignoring the objections from MDC-T in the communiqué. Or we have another moment of weakness in the MDC-T.”
South Africa based Zimbabwean journalist Basildon Peta said this has always been a game of ‘deceit,’ so nobody really knows what the truth is. However, he believes SADC is desperate to push this unity deal through and is pumping pressure on the MDC President.
Peta said: “Given an option, I would rather believe the MDC than SADC leaders who have been dishonest in their dealings with Zimbabwe, and they are pushing hard for the MDC to get into this government via this very flawed so-called political deal.”
A text message from a Zimbabwean listener said on Tuesday: “The tragedy for Zimbabwe is that there is less hope everyday and more and more anger.”
Meanwhile the website NewZimbabwe.com reports sharp differences have emerged within the MDC-T over the issue of joining a unity government. The website said the SADC communiqué was achieved through consensus and that Tsvangirai had agreed to the forming of a unity government. According to NewZimbabwe.com, Tsvangirai is facing stiff resistance from some members of his leadership, led by Secretary General Tendai Biti. It is reported the MDC President and his negotiators were locked in an emergency crisis meeting in South Africa on Tuesday. But we were not able to get a comment at the time of broadcast.
Meanwhile the SADC body has come under severe criticism for failing to issue a statement condemning the many human rights abuses in Zimbabwe. Despite ample evidence and appeals from rights groups such as the Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR) and Human Rights Watch, the regional body failed to say anything about the tortures being perpetrated by the Zimbabwe government.
On Monday the ZLHR wrote a blistering letter to the leaders of SADC for standing by while the Mugabe regime continues to breach all the principles agreed upon by member states. The Rights Lawyers also said that the regime is guilty of committing violent abductions against the opposition and civic society.
They said the victims’ personal testimonies and medical confirmation of their physical and psychological injuries is on record, and has not been denied by agents of the state or their legal representatives. The lawyers also gave SADC a shocking list of human rights abuses that some of the individuals were subjected to, including, ‘a male abductee who was laid on railway tracks while a train was approaching and told to say his last prayers, as he was about to die.’
By Violet Gonda
They also said that all abductees were subjected to near starvation, some for a period of over 50 days, leading to many of them losing one third of their body weight during detention.”
South African newspapers on Tuesday also criticised their leaders, who suffered under apartheid but were now failing the people of Zimbabwe.
Speaking on SW Radio Africa recently, Botswana Foreign Minister Phandu Skelemani said SADC had failed the people of Zimbabwe. “We think they’re confusing the part played by Mugabe during the liberation, and the part that he wants to play now when he has subjected himself to the will of the people. That is the reason SADC is divided and is divided because we simply don’t put the people first, but rather an individual and that is unfortunate.”
Source: SW Radio
The SADC communiqué claimed that a breakthrough had been reached and an inclusive government was expected to be formed by mid February. SADC chairman and South African President Kgalema Motlanthe told reporters that MDC President Morgan Tsvangirai had agreed to form a unity government with Robert Mugabe and had agreed to the co-sharing of the disputed Home Affairs Ministry.
The communiqué stated that the parties would ‘endeavour to cause parliament to pass Constitutional Amendment 19 by 5th February,’ which would be followed by the swearing-in of the Prime Minister - Morgan Tsvangirai, and the Deputy Prime Ministers - Arthur Mutambara and Thokozani Khupe by 11th February.
Ministers and Deputy Ministers would then be sworn in on the 13th February, which would conclude the process of the formation of the inclusive government. The summit decided that the remaining ‘sticking points’ of the deal would be dealt with after a government had been implemented. These include the equitable allocation of disputed ministries.
On Tuesday ZANU PF leader Robert Mugabe added his support to the communiqué. He told reporters when he arrived back in Harare from the summit: "We hope that this will open up a new chapter in our political relations in the country and in structures of government."
However, the Tsvangirai MDC issued a statement saying the SADC communiqué fell far short of its expectations and its National Council would meet on Friday to define the party position.
The MDC stated: “It was our expectation that the SADC processes would be above board, and be beyond reproach. Regrettably, once again we note that Mr. Mugabe was allowed to sit-in during the closed session of the plenary meetings. Thus, once again Mr. Mugabe has been unfairly allowed to be a judge in his own cause.”
As usual Zimbabweans are left confused, not knowing who or what to believe. It is not clear what went down during the closed door session but judging by the conflicting statements from the MDC and SADC, nothing has changed and nothing has been clarified.
A Zimbabwean commentator Glen Mpani said: “I see no logic in the MDC referring the matter to their National Council, as the Council has already made its position clear on the conditions they would want to join the government, which unfortunately no inch of those demands has been met. The media reports clearly show that someone is being economic with the truth. It’s either SADC is so stubborn, to the extent that it is ignoring the objections from MDC-T in the communiqué. Or we have another moment of weakness in the MDC-T.”
South Africa based Zimbabwean journalist Basildon Peta said this has always been a game of ‘deceit,’ so nobody really knows what the truth is. However, he believes SADC is desperate to push this unity deal through and is pumping pressure on the MDC President.
Peta said: “Given an option, I would rather believe the MDC than SADC leaders who have been dishonest in their dealings with Zimbabwe, and they are pushing hard for the MDC to get into this government via this very flawed so-called political deal.”
A text message from a Zimbabwean listener said on Tuesday: “The tragedy for Zimbabwe is that there is less hope everyday and more and more anger.”
Meanwhile the website NewZimbabwe.com reports sharp differences have emerged within the MDC-T over the issue of joining a unity government. The website said the SADC communiqué was achieved through consensus and that Tsvangirai had agreed to the forming of a unity government. According to NewZimbabwe.com, Tsvangirai is facing stiff resistance from some members of his leadership, led by Secretary General Tendai Biti. It is reported the MDC President and his negotiators were locked in an emergency crisis meeting in South Africa on Tuesday. But we were not able to get a comment at the time of broadcast.
Meanwhile the SADC body has come under severe criticism for failing to issue a statement condemning the many human rights abuses in Zimbabwe. Despite ample evidence and appeals from rights groups such as the Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR) and Human Rights Watch, the regional body failed to say anything about the tortures being perpetrated by the Zimbabwe government.
On Monday the ZLHR wrote a blistering letter to the leaders of SADC for standing by while the Mugabe regime continues to breach all the principles agreed upon by member states. The Rights Lawyers also said that the regime is guilty of committing violent abductions against the opposition and civic society.
They said the victims’ personal testimonies and medical confirmation of their physical and psychological injuries is on record, and has not been denied by agents of the state or their legal representatives. The lawyers also gave SADC a shocking list of human rights abuses that some of the individuals were subjected to, including, ‘a male abductee who was laid on railway tracks while a train was approaching and told to say his last prayers, as he was about to die.’
By Violet Gonda
They also said that all abductees were subjected to near starvation, some for a period of over 50 days, leading to many of them losing one third of their body weight during detention.”
South African newspapers on Tuesday also criticised their leaders, who suffered under apartheid but were now failing the people of Zimbabwe.
Speaking on SW Radio Africa recently, Botswana Foreign Minister Phandu Skelemani said SADC had failed the people of Zimbabwe. “We think they’re confusing the part played by Mugabe during the liberation, and the part that he wants to play now when he has subjected himself to the will of the people. That is the reason SADC is divided and is divided because we simply don’t put the people first, but rather an individual and that is unfortunate.”
Source: SW Radio
Saturday, January 24, 2009
Mbeki must Leave Zimbabwe Alone: South African Clergy
South Africa's clergy is demanding the resignation of former President Thabo Mbeki as mediator of the ongoing power sharing negotiations between President Mugabe's ZANU-PF party and the opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC). The clergy say Mbeki has failed on various occasions to help find solutions to the political stalemate, which they claim has undermined his credibility.
Monday, January 19, 2009
Plans in Place to Arrest Morgan Tsvangirai?
From The Harare Tribune
Robert Gabriel Mugabe, Zimbabwe's fire breathing, former hero and dictator insists that the opposition will not receiving any further concessions from his party in the ongoing negotiations. He sees negotiations with the oppositions as "eating together with the enemy" and makes no secret of the fact that he hates evrything that the opposition stands for.
Robert Mugabe’s government has put in place an elaborate plan to arrest main opposition MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai if he refuses to join the envisaged inclusive government, security officials have claimed.
The say that Tsvangirai, who returned to Zimbabwe for the first time in two months on Saturday, could be charged with treason if he continues to hold out for a more equitable deal.
Today, the MDC leader will meet Mugabe in a last-ditch effort to save the floundering power-sharing deal, signed between the ruling Zanu-PF and the MDC in September last year. The main stumbling blocks are the allocation of key ministries and continued detention by the Mugabe regime of opposition supporters.
President Kgalema Motlanthe and his predecessor, Thabo Mbeki, the Southern African Development Community mediator, are expected to attend the meeting, along with Mozambique’s president, Armando Guebuza.
“If Tsvangirai continues to play hardball he will be linked to ongoing trials of people accused of plotting to overthrow Mugabe,” a security source said.
The source, who is close to the investigation into allegations that arrested Zimbabwe Peace Project director Jestina Mukoko recruited insurgents, said the plan was at an advanced stage. Mukoko is accused of recruiting people for military training in Botswana with a view to pursuing an armed insurgency to remove Mugabe, 84, from power.
The source said that Mukoko’s arrest could have resulted from the fact that she has interviewed hundreds of opposition members who were brutalised by Mugabe’s party before elections last year, and has compiled accounts of their horror.
“There are serious concerns that these documents could end up at the [international criminal court at] The Hague. This could strengthen calls for the leadership of this country to be brought before the international criminal court ” said the source.
Mukoko has denied under oath suggestions that she was a member of the MDC. The allegations are yet to be tested in court.
In addition, last week’s arrest of three white farmers, John Naested, Bryan Baxter and Angus Thompson, on suspicion that they were training MDC youths in the use of firearms, raised fears that the final stages of the claim plot against the opposition were being put into place.
Robert Gabriel Mugabe, Zimbabwe's fire breathing, former hero and dictator insists that the opposition will not receiving any further concessions from his party in the ongoing negotiations. He sees negotiations with the oppositions as "eating together with the enemy" and makes no secret of the fact that he hates evrything that the opposition stands for.Robert Mugabe’s government has put in place an elaborate plan to arrest main opposition MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai if he refuses to join the envisaged inclusive government, security officials have claimed.
The say that Tsvangirai, who returned to Zimbabwe for the first time in two months on Saturday, could be charged with treason if he continues to hold out for a more equitable deal.
Today, the MDC leader will meet Mugabe in a last-ditch effort to save the floundering power-sharing deal, signed between the ruling Zanu-PF and the MDC in September last year. The main stumbling blocks are the allocation of key ministries and continued detention by the Mugabe regime of opposition supporters.
President Kgalema Motlanthe and his predecessor, Thabo Mbeki, the Southern African Development Community mediator, are expected to attend the meeting, along with Mozambique’s president, Armando Guebuza.
“If Tsvangirai continues to play hardball he will be linked to ongoing trials of people accused of plotting to overthrow Mugabe,” a security source said.
The source, who is close to the investigation into allegations that arrested Zimbabwe Peace Project director Jestina Mukoko recruited insurgents, said the plan was at an advanced stage. Mukoko is accused of recruiting people for military training in Botswana with a view to pursuing an armed insurgency to remove Mugabe, 84, from power.
The source said that Mukoko’s arrest could have resulted from the fact that she has interviewed hundreds of opposition members who were brutalised by Mugabe’s party before elections last year, and has compiled accounts of their horror.
“There are serious concerns that these documents could end up at the [international criminal court at] The Hague. This could strengthen calls for the leadership of this country to be brought before the international criminal court ” said the source.
Mukoko has denied under oath suggestions that she was a member of the MDC. The allegations are yet to be tested in court.
In addition, last week’s arrest of three white farmers, John Naested, Bryan Baxter and Angus Thompson, on suspicion that they were training MDC youths in the use of firearms, raised fears that the final stages of the claim plot against the opposition were being put into place.
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