In late February key civic groups in Zimbabwe established an independent Civil Society Monitoring Mechanism, which is looking into the implementation of the Global Political Agreement.

Next week the group will launch its first monthly monitoring report, which will help the general public understand the political process so far, in order for people to demand accountability in an informed manner.

The National Association of Non-Governmental Organizations (NANGO), a key member of the group, says it appears there is no concrete vision by the inclusive government on changing the situation in the country. NANGO spokesperson Fambai Ngirande said the political process is focused too much on getting international funding, as opposed to a national vision which all Zimbabweans could rally behind.

Ngirande said there is no urgency in changing repressive legislation and there is still massive food insecurity, endemic poverty, a disastrous brain drain, a collapsed education system and a non existent health delivery system.

He said: "The only movement being seen is an increase in donor support that is coming into the country but its impact is yet to be seen."

Last week Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai opened a Stakeholders Summit in Harare and civil society was invited to consult with the government. This was ahead of a three day government retreat at the resort town of Victoria Falls. But Ngirande said only a few ministers, and those were from the Tsvangirai MDC, bothered to turn up, namely Eric Matinenga the Minister of Constitutional and Parliamentary Affairs and Gordon Moyo, the Minister of State.

Ngirande went on to say: "The consultation seemed to be tokenistic. We were supposed to engage with the ministers and inform them as they prepare for this retreat but none of them turned up."

"So there is that concern as to whether they are really meaning it when they say they want to consult and rally Zimbabwe towards a developmental agenda."

Participating organisations in the civil society monitoring group are:

Bulawayo Agenda

Christian Alliance

Counseling Services Unit

Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition

General Agriculture and Plantation Workers Union

Legal Resources Foundation

Media Institute of Southern Africa - Zimbabwe Chapter (MISA-Zimbabwe)

Media Monitoring Project Zimbabwe

National Association of Non-Governmental Organizations

Progressive Teachers Association of Zimbabwe

Research and Advocacy Unit

Save Zimbabwe Campaign

Veritas

Voluntary Media Council of Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe Association of Doctors for Human Rights

Zimbabwe Coalition on Debt and Development

Zimbabwe Election Support Network

Zimbabwe Human Rights Association

Zimbabwe Human Rights NGO Forum

Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights

Zimbabwe National Students Union

Zimbabwe Young Women's Network for Peace Building