Zimbabwe: What’s Next?

July 23rd, 2008

President Robert Mugabe, age 84, declared himself a winner in the second presidential runoff held on June 27, after the main rival opposition party Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) pulled out of elections citing Mugabe’s intimidation and violent attacks on citizens who voted for the opposition party. Mugabe was quickly sworn in as President for a sixth term. Politically motivated violence against the opposition members characterized the June 27th pre-election phase.

The international and African regional communities declared Mugabe’s election anti-democratic, arguing that it did not follow the African Charter on democratic elections and governance, and failed to uphold SADC election regulations. Church organizations also joined in condemning the violence and intimidation during the election period. Heads of the Zimbabwe Catholic Bishops Conference, Zimbabwe Council of Churches and Evangelical Fellowship of Zimbabwe issued a statement condemning the state-sponsored brutality and calling for transition authority in Zimbabwe.

The latest development from Zimbabwe is the signed deal (July 21) regarding the framework for negotiations between Robert Mugabe’s ZANU-PF party and the main opposition party, Movement for Democratic Change-MDC. If approved by both parties, this negotiation would lead to the formation of a power-sharing government. The agreement mediated by South Africa’s President Thabo Mbeki sets a two-week deadline for the government and the two factions of the MDC to engage in discussions on issues such as the formation of a unity government and the possibility of holding new elections.

However, Zimbabwe’s organized civil society – over 40 organizations – is rejecting the idea of government of nation unity, saying it will not be able to solve the current political crisis. Instead civil society is calling for a transitional government led by someone who is not a member of ZANU-PF or MDC. With a broad representation, this transitional government would ideally limit itself to a life of 18 months during which it would exercise a limited mandate to adopt a new constitution. Following this, elections would be held. Restoration of governance would be achieved by depoliticizing the police, security forces, and judiciary.

So what’s next for Zimbabwe? The fundamental rights of the people of Zimbabwe in choosing their own leader to govern should be respected. The people of Zimbabwe have suffered political unrest and atrocities for too long – starting with the Ndebele massacres of 1982, Operation Murambatsvina and the Land invasions. A transition government in Zimbabwe, rather than a government of national unity, is a more genuine strategy. The opposition party should not be forced into marriage with the sponsors of brutality – such a government would be unlikely to adequately address the people’s suffering. The United Nations must demand accountability from the governments of Russia and China – the main supplier of military equipment to Zimbabwe. On July 11, 2008, China, Russia, Libya and South Africa voted against a U.N resolution censoring the Zimbabwe regime.

Learn more:

Seeking Justice for Zimbabwe: A Case of Accountability against Robert Mugabe & Others. 1981-2008 (July 21, 2008 a publication of the ‘Enough’ Project.)

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