ZIMBABWE
Finding a workable solution to the crisis
The withdrawal this week of the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) of Zimbabwe,
from the run-off Presidential Elections, that is due to take place today, Friday 27
June, is an indication of the depth of the political crisis in that country.
Yet it provides an opportunity for ZANU (PF) the MDC and other parties, to commence a
dialogue to arrive at a workable political solution for the common good of all
Zimbabweans.
Since 2001 the ANC and other political parties in this region have witnessed the
tragic socio economic decline of Zimbabwe. The political impasse in that country
today compounds the negative consequences of an economy that appears to have gone
into terminal decline and that has already resulted in massive migration to
neighbouring states. The SADC region, made up of developing countries all of whom are
struggling for the economic upliftment of their peoples after centuries of colonial
domination, can ill afford the instability occasioned by this turn of events.
It has always been and continues to be the view of our movement that the challenges
facing Zimbabwe can only be solved by the Zimbabweans themselves. Nothing that has
happened in the recent months has persuaded us to revise that view. A lasting
solution has to be led by the Zimbabweans and any attempts by outside players to
impose regime change will merely deepen the crisis.
Zimbabwe, like many other African countries, was reduced to the status of a colony
during the latter part of the 19th century. A column of imperialist adventurers, led
by the notorious Cecil John Rhodes, invaded the territory, seized the land from its
people and annexed it to the British Empire. To add insult to this injury the British
colonial authorities even had the temerity to re-name the country "Rhodesia". Land
dispossession accelerated to the extent that when Zimbabwe attained independence the
White minority, who never exceeded 2% of the population, owned and controlled 70% of
the best agricultural land.
Colonialism in Zimbabwe, as in the rest of Africa, was a system of arbitrary,
capricious power exercised by a distant colonial office and delegated to local White
settlers who wielded it as agents of the imperial power.
As in all other colonies, the African people in Zimbabwe had no rights. They had no
voice in how they were governed. Africans were subjected to a host of controls - that
determined where they could live, where they could work, when they could work, even
for whom they could work.
All social goods and services in the country were racially apportioned to the
advantage of the White minority who were incrementally granted powers to govern the
colony. By the 1960s the White minority exercised sufficient political power in the
colony to declare independence from Britain unilaterally in 1965.
The political programme of the national liberation movement in Zimbabwe consequently
centred on the right of national self-determination to be attained through democratic
elections in which all adult citizens of the country would have the untrammelled
right to elect the government of their choice. Restoration of the land seized during
colonialism to the indigenous people was a central plank of that programme as well.
It was a shared objective of all the liberation movements in this region of Africa to
give birth to democratic governments that institutionalised the civil liberties that
underpin the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in their respective countries. In
addition to the principle of government based on the will of the governed, these
include freedom of opinion; freedom of speech; freedom of movement; freedom from
arbitrary arrest, freedom of assembly and freedom of association. The end of
colonialism envisaged the abolition of all privileges and disabilities based on race,
religious affiliation or gender.
To give substance to these freedoms, the national liberation movements of this region
also strove for a universal system of education; a universal health care system; full
rights for all workers on the land or in the cities; as well as equality before the
law.
No colonial power in Africa, least of all Britain in its colony of "Rhodesia", ever
demonstrated any respect for these principles.
It was the people of Zimbabwe, under the leadership of the Patriotic Front , who
waged a struggle to win these rights and freedoms.The right to govern themselves and
regularly to choose their own government was earned through sacrifices and struggles
often eliciting the loss of life. No one, no government , no political party no
political leader has the right to abridge or subvert these rights. We are,
consequently, deeply dismayed by the actions of the government of Zimbabwe which is
riding roughshod over the hardwon democratic rights of the people of that country.
As democrats , the ANC cannot be indifferent to the flagrant violation of every
principle of democratic governance.
The ANC is very mindful of the obligations Britain assumed in relation to Zimbabwe at
the Lancaster House Talks. Chief amongst these was resolution of the Land Question,
i.e. undoing the consequences of well nigh 100 years of British colonial domination.
A large measure of responsibility for the current crisis is attributable to the
ex-colonial power because it has reneged on that undertaking.
In our efforts to assist Zimbabweans resolve their problems the ANC has consistently
supported the efforts of the South African government and the SADC region. After the
SADC Summit appointed President Mbeki to act as mediator amongst the parties in
Zimbabwe, he has enjoyed, and continue to enjoy, the ANC's unstinting support. We
were consequently very pleased when, owing to his mediation, a relatively peaceful
and free election was held on 29 March 2008. We were greatly distressed by the
incidents of violence during both the run-up and on the election day itself. The
unseemly delay in announcing the outcome of the Presidential elections of April
caused great anxiety in Zimbabwe and in the region. It was for that reason that the
ANC called for their immediate release on 15th April. The Extra-Ordinary SADC Summit,
held on 13th April 2008, in Lusaka, Zambia had held the same view.
In its Communiqué the SADC Summit of Heads of Sate and Government noted that since
there had been no outright winner of the Presidential poll, a run-off was expected to
determine the winner.
While the ANC was sceptical of the feasibility of a run-off, we deferred to the
judgement of the SADC leadership and that of the political parties in Zimbabwe and
lent our support to the process. However, compelling evidence of violence,
intimidation and outright terror; the studied harassment of the leadership of the
MDC, including its Presidential candidate, by the security organs of the Zimbabwean
government; the arrest and detention of the Secretary-General of the MDC; the banning
of MDC public meetings; and denial of access to the Zimbabwe Broadcasting
Corporation, all have convinced us that free and fair elections are not possible in
the political environment prevalent in Zimbabwe today.
The ANC believes that we have an obligation to contribute towards the search for a
solution in Zimbabwe. This is a view informed by long-standing fraternal relations
amongst the liberation movements of our region of Africa. We are confident that a
solution consistent with our shared commitment to human dignity, human rights, the
rule of law and the freedoms we all fought for, is attainable.
THE WAY FORWARD
The ugly incidents and scenes that have been visited on the people of Zimbabwe
persuade us that a run-off Presidential election offers no solution to Zimbabwe's
crisis. In a society that is already highly polarised, a run-off election will only
serve to widen the divisions. The very legitimacy of the run-off has already been
severely compromised by the actions of both ZANU (PF) militants and those of state
officials who do not even conceal their partiality in favour of the governing party.
There can be no solution except through a dialogue in earnest amongst all the
political players in Zimbabwe, involving the people of that country. The ANC will
play its role, within the framework of the SADC mandate, in searching for a solution
that will bring an end to the suffering of the Zimbabwean people.
We have noted, with grave concern, the statements of the Zimbabwean government to the
effect that the run-off elections will proceed as planned. We urge the government of
Zimbabwe to apply its mind, dispassionately, to the situation at hand in its country
and our region. We appeal to the government to take up the challenge of finding a
negotiated settlement to the current impasse.
We wish the MDC, ZANU (PF) and all the other parties in Zimbabwe the moral courage,
strength and determination to urgently seek a viable solution to the profound
problems facing their country.
culled ffrom ANC Today
ANC Today is available from the ANC web site at:
http://www.anc.org.za/ancdocs/anctoday/2008/at25.htm
To receive ANC Today free of charge by e-mail each week go to:
http://www.anc.org.za/ancdocs/anctoday/subscribe.html
You need to be a member of TheBlackList Pub to add comments!
Posted By: Ras Tonga
Date: Sunday, 10 April 2005, at 8:25 a.m.
In Response To: Re: Sloppy Criticisms of Zimbabwe Elections (Masimba Musodza)
Ayinde..and all the others who support Robert Mugabe on the basis that he did well for Zimbabwe by invading and destroying white owned farms, hear me a little: Mugabe is an evil man who uses the good to justify the bad. Giving land to the poor to empower them is the good...but this is not the hallmark of Mugabe's regime. Firstly the land issue was only adopted last minute before the 2000 elections because it was the last card to play - divide the people on race; let the people hate MDC because it has a few white men in its party structures - send it to hell by associating it with recolonisation because it suggests a cleverer non politicised approach to redistribute land and eal with the issues bedevilling Zimbabwe. Secondly Mugabe's beiggest mistake was participation in the DRC where his generals looted diamonds and have been implicated by UN reports at the expense of Zimbabweans. Zimbabwean spent more than two years in the DRC...exhausting the foreign currency reserves that it badly needed on a war which benefitted only Mugabe's generals...
Thirdly...Rural Zimbabweans are too afraid to contemplate alternatives to Mugabe. THis is so open to obvious to anyone who has spent time in Zimbabwe on a genuine cause. Fourthly...land redistribution was not a priority for Zimbabweans and was even under consideration by the land committee set up at the Vic Falls Land summit...everything was on course. Being a researcher having done the most validated opinion polls in Zimbabwe bewteen 1998 and 2003 - I can confidently inform that Zimbabweans were worried about rising unemployment and food prices than fast tracked land reform. I can also confidently inform you that human rights abuses were so rampant that my co-workers particularly thos doing fieldwork were often arrested and sometimes kidnapped by war veterans and Zanu PF militia.
Even Mugabe's former information minister has said all these bad things about Mugabe - even though he was party to all the wrongs.
Black consciousness movements should be wary of bad black leaders who do bad and use the good to support their bad. It is not all that white peple do that is bad and it is not all that black people do that is good. In this case Mugabe is doing wrong that is why almosts all urban areas voted against him - because they can withstand the intimidation unlike the rural folks.
Talk to Zimbabweans to understand the Zim situation ..even Zanu PF people will inform you that the boss needs to go..but those who openly said it before the Zanu Congress last year were punished and expelled from the party.
DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT AND ALL OF THE OTHER ILLS THAT KEEP REPEATING IN THE BLACK COMMUNITY AND DIASPORA
I AM FRANKLY TIRED OF IT AND WHATEVER EXCUSE YOU ALL HAVE...
NOW IF YOU ARE A BROTHA DOING EVERYTHING, EVERYTHING YOU CAN FOR THE GOOD OF THE KINGDOM
THEN THIS SILOQUY AINT FOR YOU!
BLACK POWER AND POWER TO THE PEOPLE
SISTA AISHA!
I AM GONNA GIVE YOU THE SAME ANSWER I GAVE TO THE OTHER BROTHER.....
IT APPLIES:
THIS IS SO TYPICAL..............
BLACK MEN .................RIGHT NOW, AS A SISTA SOULJA................I AM SERIOUSLY ON STRIKE....
I REFUSE TO GIVE THE BROTHA THAT I LOVE ANY BOOTIE NORWILL I COOK, I AM STILL PLEASANT ....BUT........
THIS KIND OF BEHAVIOR ALONG WITH THE FACT THAT BLACK MEN WHERE EVER THEY ARE KILL EACH OTHER! ALL OVER THE WORLD!
WHILE YOU LEAVE WOMEN AND CHILDREN TO BE CONQUER RAPED AND EXPLOITED BY THE OTHER MAN..............
AND WE ARE SUPPOSED TO LOOK AT YOU ALL WITH RESPECT..........
AND SOME OF YOU HAVE NERVE ENOUGH TO SAY SISTAS GOT ATTITUDE............WELL, AS PUBLIC ENEMY SAYS; "WE GOT A RIGHT TO BE HOSTILE"
WHEN BLACK MAN WILL SEE THE TRUTH ABOUT YOURSELVES AND POLICE YOUR OWN BEHINDS
GET UP AND CREATE SOMETHING
SHUT DOWN THIS FITNA
AND MAKE US PROUD
ALLAH SAID YOU, YOU WERE VICEGERENT AND I WAS YOUR HELP MATE
WHAT???????????SHOULD HELP YOU TO KILL YOURSELVE OR TO BACK BITE OR AS THIS ARTICLE REPRESENTS...........I SHOULD HELP OUT IN THE "BITCHING MATCH BETWEEN AND ELDER AND A BABY!
PLEASE!
Although the Europeans are at the root of the problem, Mugabe has to accept some responsibility in all of this as well! Unfortunately, it appears the people of Zimbabwe are going to have to rise up and put in power someone from a grassroots contingent who will serve the will of all the people of Zimbabwe.
YES HES DOES..........
I UNDERSTAND HIS ORIGINAL IDEOLOGY.................
BUT THE CHILDREN ARE STARVING AND MISSING OUT ON HEALTH CARE AND A DECENT STANDARD OF LIVING
ITS NOT RIGHT...............
AND I FAULT THE REST OF THE CONTINENT FOR NOT TAKING UP HIS CAUSE 35 YEARS AGO
https://theblacklist.net/
Replies
Date: Sunday, 10 April 2005, at 8:25 a.m.
In Response To: Re: Sloppy Criticisms of Zimbabwe Elections (Masimba Musodza)
Ayinde..and all the others who support Robert Mugabe on the basis that he did well for Zimbabwe by invading and destroying white owned farms, hear me a little: Mugabe is an evil man who uses the good to justify the bad. Giving land to the poor to empower them is the good...but this is not the hallmark of Mugabe's regime. Firstly the land issue was only adopted last minute before the 2000 elections because it was the last card to play - divide the people on race; let the people hate MDC because it has a few white men in its party structures - send it to hell by associating it with recolonisation because it suggests a cleverer non politicised approach to redistribute land and eal with the issues bedevilling Zimbabwe. Secondly Mugabe's beiggest mistake was participation in the DRC where his generals looted diamonds and have been implicated by UN reports at the expense of Zimbabweans. Zimbabwean spent more than two years in the DRC...exhausting the foreign currency reserves that it badly needed on a war which benefitted only Mugabe's generals...
Thirdly...Rural Zimbabweans are too afraid to contemplate alternatives to Mugabe. THis is so open to obvious to anyone who has spent time in Zimbabwe on a genuine cause. Fourthly...land redistribution was not a priority for Zimbabweans and was even under consideration by the land committee set up at the Vic Falls Land summit...everything was on course. Being a researcher having done the most validated opinion polls in Zimbabwe bewteen 1998 and 2003 - I can confidently inform that Zimbabweans were worried about rising unemployment and food prices than fast tracked land reform. I can also confidently inform you that human rights abuses were so rampant that my co-workers particularly thos doing fieldwork were often arrested and sometimes kidnapped by war veterans and Zanu PF militia.
Even Mugabe's former information minister has said all these bad things about Mugabe - even though he was party to all the wrongs.
Black consciousness movements should be wary of bad black leaders who do bad and use the good to support their bad. It is not all that white peple do that is bad and it is not all that black people do that is good. In this case Mugabe is doing wrong that is why almosts all urban areas voted against him - because they can withstand the intimidation unlike the rural folks.
Talk to Zimbabweans to understand the Zim situation ..even Zanu PF people will inform you that the boss needs to go..but those who openly said it before the Zanu Congress last year were punished and expelled from the party.
Get your facts right.
from one of my idrens
something not right there.
and i man know from many people, that mugabe is actually funded by the same people that but husseain and other people in power.
mugabe served he's purpose zimbabwe needs a fresh start.
of course my thoughts, and most of my idrens in zimbabwes as well
RAS JON
I AM FRANKLY TIRED OF IT AND WHATEVER EXCUSE YOU ALL HAVE...
NOW IF YOU ARE A BROTHA DOING EVERYTHING, EVERYTHING YOU CAN FOR THE GOOD OF THE KINGDOM
THEN THIS SILOQUY AINT FOR YOU!
BLACK POWER AND POWER TO THE PEOPLE
SISTA AISHA!
IT APPLIES:
THIS IS SO TYPICAL..............
BLACK MEN .................RIGHT NOW, AS A SISTA SOULJA................I AM SERIOUSLY ON STRIKE....
I REFUSE TO GIVE THE BROTHA THAT I LOVE ANY BOOTIE NORWILL I COOK, I AM STILL PLEASANT ....BUT........
THIS KIND OF BEHAVIOR ALONG WITH THE FACT THAT BLACK MEN WHERE EVER THEY ARE KILL EACH OTHER! ALL OVER THE WORLD!
WHILE YOU LEAVE WOMEN AND CHILDREN TO BE CONQUER RAPED AND EXPLOITED BY THE OTHER MAN..............
AND WE ARE SUPPOSED TO LOOK AT YOU ALL WITH RESPECT..........
AND SOME OF YOU HAVE NERVE ENOUGH TO SAY SISTAS GOT ATTITUDE............WELL, AS PUBLIC ENEMY SAYS; "WE GOT A RIGHT TO BE HOSTILE"
WHEN BLACK MAN WILL SEE THE TRUTH ABOUT YOURSELVES AND POLICE YOUR OWN BEHINDS
GET UP AND CREATE SOMETHING
SHUT DOWN THIS FITNA
AND MAKE US PROUD
ALLAH SAID YOU, YOU WERE VICEGERENT AND I WAS YOUR HELP MATE
WHAT???????????SHOULD HELP YOU TO KILL YOURSELVE OR TO BACK BITE OR AS THIS ARTICLE REPRESENTS...........I SHOULD HELP OUT IN THE "BITCHING MATCH BETWEEN AND ELDER AND A BABY!
PLEASE!
SISTA AISHA
Although the Europeans are at the root of the problem, Mugabe has to accept some responsibility in all of this as well! Unfortunately, it appears the people of Zimbabwe are going to have to rise up and put in power someone from a grassroots contingent who will serve the will of all the people of Zimbabwe.
I UNDERSTAND HIS ORIGINAL IDEOLOGY.................
BUT THE CHILDREN ARE STARVING AND MISSING OUT ON HEALTH CARE AND A DECENT STANDARD OF LIVING
ITS NOT RIGHT...............
AND I FAULT THE REST OF THE CONTINENT FOR NOT TAKING UP HIS CAUSE 35 YEARS AGO
BLACK POWER AND POWER TO THE PEOPLE
SISTA AISHA