Published by the government of Zimbabwe
23 July 2008
Harare — ZIMBABWEANS from all walks of life yesterday applauded the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding between Zanu-PF and the two MDC formations, which has paved way for fully-fledged talks to resolve the country's problems.
The signing has ignited high expectations among ordinary citizens, pressure groups and business.
The three leaders signed the MoU in Harare on Monday and pledged their total commitment to dialogue, saying it was the only way to resolve the current challenges facing the country.
The chairperson of the Heads of Christian Denominations, Bishop Goodwill Shana, said the church was encouraged by the commitment shown by the country's political leadership.
"We applaud this first step to dialogue. We have always been calling for face-to-face dialogue. We always believed solutions to the challenges of this country can only be found through dialogue among ourselves."
Bishop Shana said the initial commitment seemed to have elements of seriousness since the parties showed genuine concern for the challenges faced by ordinary Zimbabweans and publicly dedicated themselves to end polarisation, division, conflict and intolerance that had characterised the country's politics.
He said the church was eager to see a speedy resolution of the current challenges beginning with the "normalisation of ordinary life".
Other church leaders, among them Bishop Trevor Manhanga and Reverend Andrew Wutaunashe, urged Zanu-PF and the MDC formations to remain loyal and committed to the MoU while working on homegrown solutions to the country's socio-economic and political challenges.
The leaders also congratulated South African President Thabo Mbeki for his tireless efforts in the mediation process.
"We would like to register our gratitude to the government and the people of South Africa for their prayers and tireless support. As churches, we would like to encourage you to continue persevering until the process is successfully concluded," they said in a statement.
Political analyst and University of Zimbabwe lecturer Eldred Masunungure described the signing of the MoU as a significant step.
"It is very significant. It is a small step but positive, a significant development. It raised the foundation for the future for political stability and development of the country. It is a key that can potentially unlock the present logjam.
"Many Zimbabweans have great expectations about the prospect of the future. It is everyone's hope that the three parties will not disappoint," he said.
The Swedish government also hailed the signing of the MoU, with its Foreign Minister Carl Bildt describing it as a major step forward.
"I welcome the fact that the parties in Zimbabwe have now declared their agreement on the framework for negotiations to find a solution to the deep crisis in the country. This is an important first step.
"However, in order to succeed, the parties need to be serious in their desire to achieve results," Bildt said.
In Washington, the Bush administration said it was closely watching the inter-party talks.
President Mugabe, in his speech after signing the MoU, said the West, particularly Britain and the United States, should not interfere with the process, saying it should be driven purely by Zimbabweans with the support of South Africa as mandated by Sadc.
Zimbabwe Lawyers for Justice national co-ordinator Advocate Martin Dinha said his organisation would mobilise the legal fraternity to support the negotiations since the talks would bring a new dispensation in Zimbabwe.
"We share the people's optimism that the negotiations will culminate in the betterment of people's lives. Zimbabwe is under siege and reeling from the effects of illegal sanctions by Western countries," he said.
Adv Dinha said the negotiating parties should consider the interests of Zimbabweans as primary and desist from external influences.
"Critically, the talks must address the removal of sanctions and stress the preservation of our land. No settlement should reverse the gains of our liberation struggle. Land allocated to the majority should remain in their hands," he said.
The Zimbabwe Organisation of Opposition Political Parties, an alliance of opposition political parties that came together in a bid to assist in the search for a lasting solution to the country's problems, also hailed the signing of the MoU.
ZOOPP secretary-general Mr Gondai Vutuza urged the negotiating parties to strive to reach an agreement in the two weeks set as the timeframe for the talks in the MoU.
"We salute the three parties for signing the MoU. We believe the two weeks should be enough to conclude the talks," said Mr Vutuza.
He said the fact that the three leaders shook hands was a positive development and Zimbabweans should have the same spirit.
Mr Vutuza, however, said the focus should subsequently shift from the talks to preparations for the pending farming season.
At its launch last week, ZOOPP president Mr Gift Gotora slammed sanctions, saying they caused immense suffering among the ordinary people.
Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans' Association national commissar Cde Victor Matemadanda said the MoU was a step in the right direction and should pave the way for resolving the country's problems.
"We, as the Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans' Association, have been waiting for the framework of the talks and we expect to see progress.
"We have always made our position clear that we will not compromise fundamental areas that make our country what it is and are the pillars of this revolution.
"These are land, defence and security. If the talks are to compromise these areas, we will not accept the outcome," he said.
Cde Matemadanda said the association would not allow the removal of resettled farmers from the land on the pretext of failed production because the situation in the past seven years was not conducive for meaningful agriculture.
He said the talks should instead help in removing sanctions and restoring national dignity.
Some ordinary people interviewed in Harare expressed hope that the signing of the MoU would restore Zimbabwe to its former glory.
Mr Sinen Samu of Budiriro said the signing of the MoU shows that Zimbabweans had now come of age and could take initiatives to solve their own differences.
"The talks are integral to nation-building as they are a sure way of telling the international community, particularly the Western world, that Africa can solve its own problems if given the right platform.
Mr Nyasha Sithole of Tafara urged the three parties to create an environment that would allow the talks to progress well.
"The goodwill and understanding shown by the three parties during this first stage should be maintained and nurtured for the good of the country.
"The nation is tired of petty political squabbles that hinder economic and social development," he said, adding that the public should be updated on the talks at times.
Mr Costa Thisi said the signing of the MoU would bring unity among different political formations in the country that is critical in nation-building.
"The parties should come up with a positive agreement devoid of outside interference. There is no need for sanctions and calls for intervention by external armies because Zimbabweans alone should be masters of their own destiny," he said
Mr Simbarashe Ngwadzeni said the three parties needed to go back to their supporters and preach unity.
"It was a good move for the parties to sign the MoU, but it's not enough. All the leaders now need to go back to their supporters and preach the message of unity," he said.
Cde Joshua Chimoto of Tafara hailed the signing but called on the MDC not to represent Western interests as part of the talks.
"It's a good move and we anticipate a united Zimbabwe without the involvement of Western nations. All parties should commit themselves fully to the dialogue," said Cde Chimoto.
Miss Locadia Mutizira of Glen View said the talks would bring the same unity and peace Zimbabwe managed to achieve in 1987 when Zanu-PF and PF-Zapu merged.
"In the early 1980s we had a civil war, but the political leadership in the country at the time managed to bring the people together.
"That spirit can and should be emulated by the three leaders. Zimbabwe can prosper again with the right attitude and a spirit of togetherness is needed now more than ever," she said.
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