SW Radio Africa (London)
Violet Gonda
17 November 2008
There has been much confusion about the status of the power sharing deal, since the Tsvangirai MDC National Council resolved on Friday that the party will only join the inclusive government once certain issues have been resolved.
The Tsvangirai MDC said; "Given the lack of sincerity and lack of paradigm shift on the part of Zanu PF, the MDC shall participate in a new government once Constitutional Amendment No. 19 has been passed and effected into law."
This created confusion in sections of the media with people not knowing if this was a new condition, outside the usual demand for the equal distribution of cabinet posts, and if this meant the MDC would automatically join the unity government once the Act was passed by parliament.
The spokesperson accused certain sections of the media of distorting the truth and reading their resolution in isolation. Clarifying his party's position, MDC spokesperson Nelson Chamisa says the enactment of Amendment 19 is not the only issue, but one of a host of outstanding concerns that were not given 'fair and just' attention by regional leaders who met recently in South Africa.
He said the concerns and conditions of the MDC are not inseparable and "until all areas are sorted we are not going to be found in this government because we are not going to be in a government wounded and in pain."
The MDC conditions include:
• The legal passage of Constitutional Amendment No.19; Chamisa said both ZANU PF and MDC have different interpretations of this saying: "ZANU PF thinks that Mugabe is going to be both Head of State and Head of government. We feel that the agreement is about Mr. Tsvangirai being Head of Government and Mr. Mugabe being Head of State so that there is equitability in the sharing of powers."
• Equity in allocation of governors: MDC says this must be done according to who won particular provinces. But Robert Mugabe has already appointed the governors who are all from his party.
• The equal distribution of 10 ministerial portfolios:
• The constitution and composition of the National Security Council
• Appointment of senior government like Ambassadors and Permanent Secretaries
• Corrections to be made to the 'illegally' altered agreement signed on the 15th September 2008
The MDC insists it respects African institutions but accuses the Southern African Development Community of not following the principles of justice and common fairness, when the regional body recommended the setting up of a unity government but overlooked the unresolved issues. Chamisa said if decisions lack fairness, then they have to be revisited.
The MDC is calling for the urgent opening of parliament, which was forced to adjourn last Tuesday to 16th December because of severe water shortages. Hungry legislators from outside Harare had to be fed by a donor agency because Parliament is broke and cannot pay for their meals. But Chamisa said the present economic and political challenged facing the nation call for the urgent reconvening of parliament. He said: "Waiting for the 16th is unacceptable and just impossible."
Meanwhile MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai is on a tour of Europe. The MDC spokesperson declined to comment about his President's visit, nor would he comment about what travel document Mr. Tsvangirai is travelling on, as he still has not been issued with a new passport by the Mugabe regime. It is reported that the MDC leader only has an Emergency Travel Document, valid for South Africa only. Chamisa referred us to the President's spokesman George Sibotshiwe, saying he only comments on matters to do with the party and not the President's itinerary. We were not able to get hold of the President's spokesperson.
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Womudenga, You are venting your anger towards the wrong people. President Mugabe, and the Service Chiefs have nothing to do with the delay in forming a govt of national unity neither do they have anything to do with the suffering being witnessed in Zimbabwe. In fact, the President needed this govt yesterday because he realizes that Tsvangirai wants to cause maximum harm to the people – destroying all that the people have worked for since independence in 1980. The President is also aware that a good number of people who support Tsvangirai are doing so through ignorance, without really… [Read Full Text]
hahahahaha, no mugabage has not delayed it at all! What drugs are you on, of course mugabe has delayed everything to try and stay in power!
A gvt of national unity must be put in place as soon as possible to avert a deadly catastrophe if people are not fed and continue to die of hunger ,desease and poverty. Mugabe has shown the world that he enjoyes to see people suffering as long as they donot support him and he is still at the helm of power. Tsvangirayi must stand firm and must not be intimidated. Mugabe is just an owl with no horns,a barking dog with no teeth . Chiwenga Iwe! Newe Zimonte naChihuri God is going to punish you heavily sooner . Mugabe… [Read Full Text]