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NewsDay

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Siwela leads new secessionist group

Politics
The leader of the newly-formed Matabeleland Liberation Organisation (MLO), Paul Siwela, yesterday said his party had started crafting its own draft constitution for the “Republic of Matabeleland”.

The leader of the newly-formed Matabeleland Liberation Organisation (MLO), Paul Siwela, yesterday said his party had started crafting its own draft constitution for the “Republic of Matabeleland”. STAFF REPORTER

Siwela told NewsDay in an interview at his Bulawayo base that the constitution would help in the governance of the region which, according to him, should break away from the rest of the country by 2018 to form a cosmopolitan “Republic of Matabeleland”.

“I am aware that everything is difficult until it has been done, so do not fear,” Siwela said.

“This noble cause for our freedom depends on all of us collectively working in unison towards an egalitarian and cosmopolitan Republic of Matabeleland by 2018 through peaceful and democratic means.”

Siwela, who parted ways with another secessionist group, Mthwakazi Liberation Front, under a cloud late last year, said his new party enjoyed grassroots and international support from various organisations and individuals committed to the independence of the region.

“Most would not be able to identify the political indices that support our agenda and thus find it inconceivable to talk of our independence to see it happen in their lifetime,” Siwela said.

“We have some talented people out there who can compose the national anthem for our nation.

“Please, if there is anyone who can compose one for us, feel free to do so and let us know.”

He said his party planned to hold demonstrations at Zimbabwe’s embassies around the world on Independence Day, April 18, and present a petition for the demand of Matabeleland’s independence.