As Zimbabwe prepares for watershed elections set for next year, the insistence by regional leaders on the full implementation of the Global Political Agreement (GPA) before the polls should be hailed by those yearning for a return to democracy.
Editorial Comment
At the just-ended Sadc extraordinary summit in Tanzania, leaders reiterated their position that the inclusive government must first fully implement the GPA before any talk of elections can be entertained. Sadc has been steadfast since the sham 2008 election that forced Zanu PF, MDC and MDC-T into the marriage of convenience that is the inclusive government.
Zimbabwe owes its current stability to Sadc. It’s an undeniable fact that our leaders cannot run away from. The Sadc communiqué read in part: “Summit urged the political stakeholders in Zimbabwe to fully implement the GPA.
“Summit also urged the political stakeholders to finalise the constitution-making process, including a referendum, before the holding of the elections in 2013.”
The resolutions came after the Sadc-appointed facilitator who is also South African President Jacob Zuma presented a report on his mediation in Zimbabwe. Zuma should be commended for remaining resolute to ensure that the country’s pending elections are held in the most conducive environment to avoid the sham of an election that led to bloody clashes in 2008.
President Robert Mugabe and his Zanu PF should not be allowed to railroad the nation into rushed elections without proper reforms. Threats by the veteran leader to dissolve Parliament and announce dates for elections sooner or later should simply be taken as such until enough groundwork has been done to ensure the country’s next elections will be undisputed as happened with the last two polls. It is refreshing to note that Mugabe’s proclamation has also found resistance in the other formations that make up the inclusive government as it spells doom for the country.
The two MDC formations insist that there would be no elections before there is security sector realignment, and media reforms, in particular the electronic media where ZBC remains an abused and abusive monopoly. Just last Friday, Deputy Prime Minister Thokozani Khupe took a swipe at the State broadcaster for being biased towards Zanu PF especially during election time.
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Sadc should ensure that there is no compromise when it comes to compliance with its election guidelines. According to the regional body’s Grand Baie terms, a country should ensure full participation of citizens in the political process, freedom of association, political tolerance, and equal opportunity for all political parties to access the state media. It also calls for independence of the judiciary and impartiality of electoral institutions, and voter education, among other critical requirements. Given the above the requirements, the country is still way off targets to hold free and fair elections. We implore Sadc, through Zuma, to remain steadfast.
Mugabe and company should know that this time around they cannot have it all their way.
