Financial Gazette (Harare)
Charles Pemhenayi
16 May 2008
opinion
The Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) governor, Gideon Gono, raised a pertinent question last week on the issue of an electoral run-off following the announcement of the presidential election results.
The prospects of a run-off are a constitutional affair, and under normal circumstances, not debatable.
That constitutional prerogative would have been ideal, but a run-off in the current electoral environment needs a closer analysis. The political landscape that has prevailed over the last 10 years and with the latest election impasse are indicative of a heavily polarised political environment. I will however, confine my contributionto this crucial debate started by the RBZ governor.
It is not in question or doubt that ZANU-PF garnered 97 seats in the House of Assembly while the MDC got 99 seats. It is not also in contention that the MDC led by Arthur Mutambara got 10 seats with Tsholotsho independent candidate Jonathan Moyo getting another seat. The two MDCs have reportedly said that they will work together in parliament to consolidate their parliamentary majority.
However, an envisaged ZANU-PF win in the presidential run-off will give the party the mandate to form its own government. This development will be against a seemingly hostile parliament that will make it difficult for the ZANU-PF government or for that matter an MDC government to function.
It can be an unfortunate development that will spill into the socio-political, socio-economical landscape and will adversely affect the already suffering Zimbabwean masses. Gono is right when he inferred that where elephants fight, it is the grass that suffers.
In this case, it is the society that will suffer at the mercy of the politicians.
It is the bleeding economy that needs critical care, the social harmony that needs to be nurtured and upliftment from years of unjustified sanctions that needs urgent attention and healing.
Whichever political party one belongs to , right or left, Zimbabweans have suffered enough. It is time for self-introspection, self-respect, soul searching and identity.
We are all Zimbabweans with one history, one country with all its wonderful resources.
We all deserve better lives, not only for ourselves, but most cardinally for the future generations. These must reflect and take pride in us, as the decisions we make now will affect them.
Lest we forget the liberation struggle that brought us to where we are today.
The democratic space we have is a result of a protracted war that killed and maimed thousands. These liberation values must permeate above partisan lines and these should be shared across the political divide.
However, this does not seem to be the same with us all. Apparently, such issues have become points of departure and sources of acute differences. A nation that does not cherish its history has no vision and where there is no vision that nation perishes.
The liberation struggle facilitated for a one-man one vote scenario as Zimbabweans voted for their independence in 1980. The freedom that we enjoy today is anchored in that struggle and such freedom must be non-partisan. We should therefore, not allow foreign interference in our affairs.
Established democracies the world over revolves around a history, values and principles peculiar to that democracy. The United States for instance, has a history and its set of values developed over many years that are peculiar to their struggle for independence and shaped by their successive leaders so as China.
As such, American politics revolves around the protection of her values, which are jealously guarded by the Pentagon decisions.
The same must apply to us.
I personally believe that we have a "legislative impasse", one that needs a very close and sober scrutiny.
Zimbabweans, according to the results of the March 29 harmonised elections, voted almost equally in support the two major political parties.
A run-off may not significantly change the picture, but in-turn, may perpetuate hate, suspicion and turmoil.
In one of the discussions I had with a constitutional lawyer, this electoral development is neither unique nor extraordinary, it has happened elsewhere before.
We can learn from those places and within our own context craft policies that can guarantee a better Zimbabwe for all citizens.
History should judge us fairly. If we fail for the sake of the run-off as required by the constitutional, and in the process cause continued suffering and economic meltdown then we would have condemned ourselves to the dustbin of political failures and dumbfounds.
It is crucial that we consider a government of national unity, with the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund considered as stakeholders. We have all seen the influence of these Bretton Woods institutions from the Zimbabwean experience.
Our isolation from these and the entire international community has created unbearable suffering among the general populace.
I suppose there is no leader from any political party who leaves his home to create political impasses, cause economic mayhem or any form of unfavourable consequences.
I am sure every politician wishes to see better and positive developments for his or her country. This must drive us to participate in politics for a better Zimbabwe.
In that vein, I suggest that we bury some of our seemingly irreparable differences for the benefit of Zimbabwe and her future citizens.
Put Zimbabwe first, sit down and negotiate for economic recovery, reconciliation and social development.
I contend that a run-off is necessary, but can be avoided in favour of a unity government, which is negotiated outside the need for a run-off.
The arguments for a run-off pact make a lot of sense given that we were in a normal electoral environment.
There are also some valid counter-arguments from some quarters dismissing the need to conduct elections against the backdrop of economic sanctions. Some would even say why should we have elections when the western governments are openly funding and supporting the opposition?
The issue is that there is no level playing field for either party. There is need to have bigger hearts and smell the coffee for the sake of Zimbabweans.
The future of this country is in our good hands.It is our duty to deliver what is good for the nation. Everyone has a duty, only if we shun selfishness. Most nations have been having significant economic developments and we cannot continue to lag behind.
As all these developments unfold, comes the issue of delivering election promises and levelling the economic playfield.
The issue of the Zimbabwe democracy bill, a piece of legislation crafted on our behalf to create a situation for "change" with the explicit support of some among us comes to the fore.
One hopes that during the transitional period, this bill will disappear together with targeted sanctions, to ease the suffering of the innocent masses.
All these vices need to be attended to quickly so that we improve the lives of Zimbabweans.
Business mechanisms need to be changed through government initiatives to ensure equitable service delivery.
ZANU-PF or MDC owe Zimbabwe the beauty that it deserves. Whoever assumes leadership of this country must seek ways to put things right.
Charles Fungayi Pemhenayi is the MP (elect) for Mutare North Constituency.
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