Vusumuzi Sifile
30 August 2008
As uncertainty continues to shroud the inter-party talks between Zanu PF and the two MDC formations, and the aftermath of the convening of Parliament, civic activists have called for "radical action" as the best possible solution out of the crisis.
On Wednesday, youth and students' organisations met in Harare and resolved to lead a campaign of "civic disobedience". And on Thursday, a political commentator said the only "legitimate" way out for Zimbabwe was to allow Parliament to elect the President.
One of the conveners of the youth meeting, Zimbabwe National Students' Union (Zinasu) president, Clever Bere said they resolved to mobilize youths to protest against Zanu PF's grip on power, which he said was against the people's will.
"We discussed many issues to do with the current political developments, trying to find alternative ways forward and try to provide leadership to the country. One of the key issues that came out is that the young people do not recognise Robert Mugabe as the legitimate president of Zimbabwe," Bere said.
Bere said the youths agreed that the official opening of Parliament last Tuesday was in breach of the Memorandum of Understanding signed by the principals of the two MDC formations and Zanu PF on 21 July. The youths were drawn from various organisations, mostly in Harare.
He said: "Indeed it was not within his mandate for Mugabe to officially open parliament until and unless there was a political settlement, political agreement and political consensus with the other parties, particularly the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) which won the elections on March 29. We will soon be launching a petition against this move."
Bere repeated the same sentiments at a public discussion on Thursday, where he said following his assumption of the chairmanship of the Southern Africa Development Community (Sadc), SA President Thabo Mbeki could not continue as mediator in the talks as there was now a clash of interest.
"Being the Sadc chairman, Mbeki cannot continue in his role as a Sadc mediator. The mediator has to report to someone in Sadc, and being at the helm, this means Mbeki now has to report to himself. This compromises the whole process," Bere said.
Speaking during the same discussion, a political commentator from the National University of Science and Technology (Nust), Dr Themba Dlodlo said under the current crisis, Parliament should be allowed to sit as an electoral college and choose a President. "We need to have a solution to this. This crisis must end. Why not give power to Parliament to choose a President? We cannot move forward in a situation where the governing party has a minority, and the opposition has a majority," Dlodlo said.
The inter-party talks proposed that the current parliament would only last for a limited time frame leading to fresh elections. This arrangement, said Dlodlo, may still not work.
"We cannot go back into an election to solve a problem which was in the first place created by an election," he said. "Parliament is the only legitimate body at the moment that was elected fairly. The presidential election was disputed. I propose Parliament should be given a role to choose a President and Prime Minister if there is to be such a role, and have their roles clearly separated."
Prominent Harare pastor who is also a human rights activist, Bishop Ancelimo Magaya, said the crisis was now "a spiritual issue" that could only be solved through "prophetic action".
"I believe at some point Zimbabwe will be able to recognize the supremacy of God. A power-sharing arrangement can actually worsen, rather than solve the crisis," Magaya said.
Last year, Magaya called on members of the Zimbabwe National Pastors' Conference (ZNPC) to March to the President's Office in protest. The march did not take place.
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The idea for the civil society to embark upon a civil disobedience campaign deserves strong support. However, the strategy must be well thought.
Murderer Mugabe, his cronies and thugs will no doubt react with more terror and violence. In order to counteract such a backlash, civil society groupings in SADC region together with trade unions, lawyers' associations, Zimbabw exiled groups and groupings of bereaved mothers and orphans of Mugabe's victims should be brough on board. The SADC and AU parliamentary committees should also be fully kept informed. Member states of SADC should also be put under intense pressure by civil groups in the respective countries for maximum impact. Attempts should be made for appeals to officers in the Army and Police to refuse to brutalise people taking part in the disobedience movement. These appeals can take various forms such like messages over radios from neighbouring countries, leaflets, emails and SMSs. An army of volunteers should be available to ensure a decentralised network of cells can operate on a 24 hr basis while communications amongst members should only be by word of mouth or through signs.
The UN must be alerted of dangers that monster Mugabe may shed more people's blood just to satisfy his megalomania of keeping illegitimate power.
It should be proclaimed in advance that any activist killed will be declared true heroes of a liberated Zimbabwe while lunatic Mugabe would be made answerable to any abuse of basic human rights.
Thailand is now in a similar situation where the Army and Police are very reluctant to exercise violence against their own kith & kins. Will Zimbabwe be next?
May we invite Mugabe fans to work towards Zimbabweans regaining their dignity !!