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Zimbabwe: GNU Only Sensible Option Left
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Zimbabwe Standard (Harare)
OPINION
3 May 2008
Posted to the web 4 May 2008
Simba Makoni
THE best way forward for our battered nation is the establishment of a Transitional National Commission, National Authority or, as others have called it, a government of national untiy.
This route, the only one left open to Zimbabweans who actually have the interest of the nation at heart, has been grossly misrepresented and, at times, deliberately misunderstood.
No effort has been made to interrogate this route.
First, we need to see clearly why this route is the only one left for the country to pursue.
We have two major parties in parliament, divided almost exactly in half. A sliver-thin majority for the MDC, with a majority of two seats, is not a basis for the establishment of a government.
Parliament will frustrate the efforts of the Executive in the hope of forcing a situation of an ungovernable state.
The purpose would be to force a new election, where the incumbent will be hoping to win a fresh and bigger mandate.
The calling of new elections would most likely not happen, though.
Instead, we will still be operating under the current fatally flawed constitution, with its authoritarian entrenchment of presidential powers.
The temptation will then for the incumbent president to invoke these powers and effectively rule by decree.
This will be understandable in the first instance, if the provisions are being used to take the country forward.
But it will be the beginning of a slippery slope to dictatorship.
Zimbabwe's politicians, so blinded by the obsession with power, have simply closed their ears and consciences to this eventuality, demanding that any accommodation should involve giving them power.
So, what exactly is this animal being proposed?
How would it work and would it reasonable?
The questions demand clear answers if the interrogation of this concept is to result in a clear appreciation of the abyss into which this country is staring and how we can drawback from the edge.
This is because the idea of asking the Heads of State to get Mugabe to step down for another person sticks in their throat.
Stepping down for a comprehensive transitional mechanism is another matter entirely.
It rules out the possibility of them being seen to speaking up for a specific party or individual.
As already mentioned, the idea finds favour with them and would most probably see an end to the current impasse within weeks.
The National Commission, National Authority or whatever you might call it, would be a purely transitional authority, with a tenure of office not exceeding two years.
This authority will be the government for those two years.
It should be composed not only of the major political formations in the country, but should also include members and leaders of civil society: NCA, ZCTU, Youth Movements, ZESN, ZNCC, CZI, Ecumenical, faith-based (including Muslims) organisations and groupings as well as all those organisations that have been at the forefront of trying to shape the Zimbabwe we deserve.
This is important because the task of the national authority will be to emerge from those two years with a framework for a working Zimbabwe in which all stakeholders will have made a meaningful contribution.
The future and fate of this nation should not be left to an elite class of politicians only.
There is no evidence that only the ideas of the politicians are capable of guaranteeing Zimbabwe a future as bright as the African sun.
The co-option of civil society into the National Assembly of the National Authority, therefore, would be non-negotiable.
Once the whole nation (so to speak) is sitting in a room together, with representatives from all major constituencies in the country talking to each other, the business of sorting this country out will then begin in earnest.
The tasks to be set for the National Authority should include the immediate setting up of a Constitutional Conference (which should also be a National Assembly ( to stand in the stead of parliament) to draft and agree on a new constitution.
Input into this constitution will be sourced from all the constituencies represented in the National Assembly, who will also be tasked with consulting their grassroots on the document throughout the process.
At the end of those two years, Zimbabwe should have a new, respected, respectful and tamper-proof constitution.
The details will obviously be worked out by the National Assembly, but should ideally include the provision that the constitution cannot be amended unless the issue is put to a referendum first.
By the time the two years end, we should also have a strong economic base, should have stabilised the currency, and restored productivity.
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Simba Makoni was a candidate in the March 29 presidential election.
"But it will be the beginning of a slippery slope to dictatorship."
Dear Cde. Makoni,
What definition of "dictatorship" does Mugabe and ZANU fail to meet already? Our country is now run by the filth of ZANU. This once beautiful country has become an embarrassment to Africa and the world...a toilet of political machinations and political violence. It needs a thorough cleansing, not a continuance of the influence of the former corrupt government of Mugabe and ZANU. Even Ian Smith's government was better than the old man's. At least nobody was starving. ZANU's Gukurahundi murdered more Zimbabweans than were killed... [Read Full Text]
The MDC should never make the mistake of getting into a government of national unity with zanupf. Zanu PF is deceitful and the MDC stands to lose in the long run if it agrees to get into a GNU. Zanu PF has destroyed Zimbabwe and should never be given the opportunity to continue destroying what remains of Zimbabwe. It is also impossible for the 2 parties to unite because of wide differences in ideology and history. Makoni was rejected by the electorate and let me advise him either to back Tsvangirai against Zanu PF or to quit politics for the... [Read Full Text]
Makoni's suggestions,in principle are very noble and workable. The transitional government would actually create a breathing space for a nation which is in a situation such as ZImbabwe currenlty is. However,the practicality of it becomes a big issue. The two parties have their differences,and,both seem stuck on their demn principles,while Zimbabweans are suffering.
Every Zimbabwean has been forced(by ginya) to become an entrepreneur. Black market is only in name,but practically,that is where all Zimbabweans meet and trade.
All these issues of GNU,what-what,the Zimbabweans have but lost hope,and these two major parties are very much aware of the fatigue which has... [Read Full Text]
How can a political party who is at war with the Zimbabweans ever be allowed to govern. We shouldn't be talking about a Government of National Unity, we should be talking about are they getting life imprisonment, or will they only be exiled? They are mass murderers!
You-Another White South Africa, also need to talk about white apartheid leaders and why they are still alive. How about if we collect all white apartheid leaders and throw them in a ball of fire! They are also mass murderers. Do not dare tell Zimbabweans what to do with their political parties. Mandela forgive hard core white racists murderous idiotes, who are still roaming around killing black people. Who knows, if you have not killed a black innocent worker on your farm. It is estimated that about 1,000,000 black people were cold murdered by white racists south africans. Please do... [Read Full Text]
Simba's roar is correct - Zimbabwe needs a govt of national unity. Otherwise there will BE a civil war in Zim because of the retribution reflexes of the west just like in Airaqi. Saddam was killed but look at the mess... this is now refered to as THE AIRAQI QAOSI.. where the invading forces are pinned down like hell. This will be the case in Zimbabwe if some nuthead decides to invade.
Just imagine the effectiveness of DIEDs(aka Deadly Improvised Explosive Devices) in Zimbo scenario...!
"The MDC should never make the mistake of getting into a government of national unity with zanupf. Zanu PF is deceitful and the MDC stands to lose in the long run if it agrees to get into a GNU".
Is Simba correct or not?
Zanu PF lost the election but want to share power, that isn't how democracy works. I lost so I'm going to make up my own rules now."There will be a civil war because of the retribution reflexes of the west"? So even if there is a civil war between ZANUPF and MDC it will be due... [Read Full Text]
Phiri,right on. Burn up all those South African dirty, filthy, white racist murderers and don't forget to throw in Mugabe as well. He is no better. Bloody bastards.
Cde Makoni is absolutely right. The important thing is to end the violence and find a way forward that will deliver a solution for all Zimbabweans. Anger and recriminations aside, the fact of the matter is that Zimbabwean opinion is divided between ZANU-PF and MDC. Both groups have strong reasons for their beliefs. Only a consitution that allows all voices to be heard, and does not vest all the power in one person or one party can achieve this. A Transitional Authority, led by a chairman that does not have presidential powers, with no president... [Read Full Text]
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