IS ZIMBABWE HEADED FORSECONDGPA? •LET’S TACKLE ROOT CAUSE THE INCLUSIVE DIALOGUE PANACEA TO ZIMBABWE’S CRISIS• WOMEN’S VOICESMATTER THE ESSENCE AND SKILLSOFNEGOTIATIONS • ALL PARTIESHAVEASTAKE TOWARDS NATIONALTHE •DIALOGUE:TRANSITIONAL GOALANDOUTCOMES AUTHORITY Panacea totheZimbabweanCrisis?

...... 2019 MARCH Vol. 1Issue28 As Zimbabwe’s socio-economic and political form, content, course and actions the envisaged Without visionary leadership, Zimbabwe will environment continues to deteriorate, there dialogue should take. remain barren, living far beneath its potential are increasing calls for a broad-based and as the ruling elite line up and stampede to deep inclusive National Dialogue to rescue Zimbabwe Zimbabwe and her people envisage a leadership their fingers into the national treasury at a from the precipice and avert its implosion. that is responsive to the country’s desperate time when children and expecting mothers are plight for socio-economic and political stability dying in hospitals due to lack of medication. The crescendo in the calls for dialogue among critical to leapfrogging the country into a all the national stakeholders come in the wake durable and sustainable orbit of prosperity and Zimbabwe should rise beyond the petty polity of an increasingly restless citizenry struggling development. It is deplorable to note that the of personalities and kick-start a genuine national to make ends meet resulting in the violent country has never gone for more than a decade dialogue process that takes the country forward. protests, demonstrations and lootings that tore without plunging into strife, which has stifled the country in August 2018 and this year development and its ability to fend for its While the views and opinions expressed in this in January. own citizens. edition do not reflect the position of the publishers of Thinking Beyond, in their articles Regrettably, lives were lost as the army was Suffice to note that the country has great contributors to this edition, proffer their ideas deployed to quell the demonstrations, sparking potential to unlock development and economic on issues critical to the dialogue such as: local, regional and international outrage on the growth, through visionary leadership. A disproportionate use of force against unarmed leadership which sees beyond narrow personal • Setting the agenda: what are the issues and civilians by security personnel. gains and is subservient to the ethos of servant why they should be subjected to national leadership to deliver the country from the discourse. This also comes on the backdrop of the findings current yoke of poverty, unemployment, biting • Who are the key players/stakeholders and recommendations of the Motlanthe economic crisis, run-away inflation and and why? Commission of Inquiry into the August 2018 failing industry. • How do you ensure inclusivity: who gets killings of six civilians of which the army was invited to the table. blamed for the deaths. Zimbabwe has a health mix of minerals, fertile • Who should be entrusted with the lands for agriculture, conducive climatic mediation process and why. These unfolding events, notwithstanding the environment that lures tourists from across the • The role of SADC, African Union, United stalled pace of the envisaged economic and globe coupled with a culture of hard working Nations and the international community. political reforms and the disputed 2018 citizens which are critical ingredients for • Conflict resolution: role and mandate of presidential elections outcome, have placed successful economies. political parties, business, civic society, Zimbabwe at the crossroads hence the increasing church/women’s groups, youths. calls for genuine national dialogue. However, there is a glaring deficiency in • Lowering the political temperatures: the leadership that is catalytic in pulling the feuding media and conflict sensitive journalism. Our theme for this edition of Thinking Beyond: stakeholders to the negotiation table and write • Gender and National Dialogue: the issues. Dialogue: Panacea to the Zimbabwean Crisis? seeks a new narrative for the country. to generate ideas and debate on the shape, ii MARCH 2019 Towards the National Transitional Authority IBBO MANDAZA & TONY REELER claims political power by virtue of the disputed 2018 elections. The MDC- Introduction: of a constitutional order, but also a heavily Alliance claims political power by virtue disputed presidential election. There is of being the majority party in reality. In 2016, the Platform for Concerned consequently continuing political and social Citizens (PCC) warned that the country unrest in which, since 1 August 2018 to Secondly, the Zimbabwean NTA does not was heading into deep trouble and a the present, at least 23 citizens killed, have to produce a constitution as part of possible coup. This was the only possible scores injured, many abducted, a number its work. Zimbabwe has a highly operable outcome for the disintegrating securocrat of women raped, and the apparent sense constitution, a sitting parliament, and a state. of permanent siege against the opposition functioning judicial system. Since all these and civic society. are in place, there will be no need for In 2019, we now have a dysfunctional state, complex negotiations about a constitution made worse by a crisis of illegitimacy, and - The compelling evidence, therefore, that and the nature of the state. in desperate need for re-engagement with there is a Party/State Conflation that has the international community. This re- lost the people, with little or no hope of Constitutional arrangements: engagement grows more remote by the recovery in the foreseeable future. day with reports of gross human rights Since the Constitution remains in force, proliferating, prompting some to term - The compelling and urgent need for an and, remembering the GPA, the these crimes against humanity. agency (the NTA): This will provide the constitutional basis for the NTA is relatively basis through which constitutional rule simple. The legal basis for the NTA will Underpinning all of this is infighting within and the requisite separation of powers require the suspension of Chapter 5 (Parts the state and party that seems without restored, characterized by an accountable 1 & 2) and its replacement by a Schedule end, going on since 2013. It is now executive, a vibrant legislature and a outlining the powers of a Transitional common cause that the state and party has fiercely independent judiciary. Thus, Executive Council (TEC). This TEC would completely lost the consensus and confidence, at home and in the Diaspora, be time-limited, but, given the depth of confidence of the citizenry, and is incapable will be restored and re-engagement with the problems facing Zimbabwe, would of either political or economic reform. the global community can take place, probably need at least two years in order We now have the hard landing that the without which the Economic Recovery to implement the reforms, and a “rescue PCC tried to avoid in 2016 by calling for Programme cannot succeed package” to take effect. a soft landing and a National Transitional Authority (NTA). It seems obvious in all the discussion about There will undoubtedly be those that will a national dialogue that there must be an object, as they have done in the past, to Why the NTA? end goal. In the current crisis, a national any suggestion of amending the dialogue cannot be merely a talk shop. All constitution, but the point here is that the This state of affairs is the reason for the who are talking about the national dialogue only amendment envisaged will be to the calls for a national dialogue and a NTA. clearly are thinking about a process that clauses on the Executive. This will be Accordingly, the NTA is urgent because resolves the legitimacy crisis, initiates a temporary, for the duration of the NTA, of the following factors: substantial process of reforms, and takes and will be necessary. We can all remember the country through to an undisputed the problems of the GPA and the manner - A dysfunctional Party/State Conflation: election. in which the Executive was able to block this is incapable of reform (except at the all reforms. risk of involuntary abdication), neither There are two important points to bear in politically nor economically. mind here. Legislative arrangements:

- The burden of an incurable Illegitimacy Firstly, neither of the political parties wants Parliament remains in place as currently : this is exacerbated not only by the absence to give up political power. ZANU-PF constituted, since their role of oversight

MARCH 2019 1 there should be monitoring bodies, one per ministry, with members each chosen from civil society and the churches.

The aim behind monitoring is to ensure that there is the greatest possible confidence in the NTA from a citizenry that is both deeply divided as well as distrustful of government.

A critical step for building confidence will be the disbanding of JOC, and its replacement by the National Security Council (NSC), as already required by the Constitution. The two TEC leaders, with church, business and civil society representation, should chair the NSC. and legislative powers will be critical for the country forward. Here it will be critical the implementing of the Constitution, to ensure separation of powers. The TEC, Finally, there needs to be the setting up of amending past laws and instituting new as the Executive, will be accountable to a policy unit under the TEC. law, and authorising policies. Parliament parliament, and the legislature will have will have such an important role during the very important role of holding the Guiding principles for policy: the transition in its general oversight Executive to account. function, most particularly if it can We have stated the guiding principles many demonstrate to the citizenry that Additionally, there should be support from times before in the past three years, and parliamentarians can work together in the an advisory body. This should have a chair most are currently included in the national interest. This is another reason to from the UN, and have members drawn Common demands by civil society to replace the Executive by a more inclusive from the AU, SADC, the EU, the 2019 crisis. They are relatively body, the TEC. Commonwealth and BRICS. This will straightforward: provide the crucial “scaffolding” that all Composition of the TEC: transitions need, and Zimbabwe especially Political Principles: needs with the recent history of The Schedule to the Constitution will international incoherence about how to • Adherence to the constitution and define TEC’s structure and competence. deal with the country. institutionalising the principles of Since this body will be the de jure political constitutionalism; power, it is very important that it will have Administrative arrangements: protection from narrow political party • Reform of key institutions that interests, and the current distribution of The administrative arrangements will be impede the above; political party power within parliament. very important, need streamlining in order Hence, the suggestion is that the TEC to efficiently and effectively undertake the • Reform of the electoral process, operates according to “consensus”, and be many needed reforms. These reforms will to create conditions for genuinely inclusive of all national interests. be guided by an overall “reform and rescue” free and fair, elections, and devoid policy. of all controversy; A possible structure for the TEC would involve 18 members drawn from In order to overcome the present Economic Principles: Zimbabweans, from both home and cumbersome and conflicting arrangements, abroad, with familiarity of the Zimbabwean we need to reduce the number of • Stabilising of the economy and the political and economic process. More ministries: many countries have far fewer setting in place of an Economic particularly, they should be persons about ministries and are able efficiently to run Reform Agenda aimed at whom there is wide consensus across the the affairs of the state. the following: political spectrum about their competence and suitability for the difficult task they All ministers should be “technocrats”, with • Debt management, and recovery will face. no political party affiliation, and assigned of misappropriated assets, to a Ministry because of proven nationally and internationally; The TEC (and parliament) will be competence in the area with which the responsible for the designing the policies ministry is concerned. One TEC member • Comprehensive macro-economic and reforms that are so necessary to move assigned as liaison for each ministry, and fundamentals;

2 MARCH 2019 • Policy consistency; • Land policy and property rights; Setting the agenda: • Revival of productive sectors;

• Mobilizing the diaspora into the what are the key issues? economic life of the country. Zimbabwe has been descending into a social, political and economic crisis for International “Scaffolding”: nearly two decades now.

Few transitions are successful in the The end of Robert Mugabe’s reign who absence of strong international support, ruled with a heavy fist for a record of 37 what we term “scaffolding”. We use this years did not put a lid on these ills. His term in order to point out that successor, Emmerson Mnangagwa is Zimbabweans do have the capacity to feeding from his predecessor’s political resolve our own problems, if the script. international community unites as a whole to support this, and avoids any The November 2017 power transition By Costa Nkomo sectarian interest. brought with it hopeful political undertones with Mnangagwa pledging to uphold people’s rights in letter and spirit. stands, Zimbabwe remains unstable The crisis over the past two decades has But all has become pie in the sky as because there is a general shared feeling seen differences between the West, SADC Zimbabwe quickly returned to its default among the public, in particular, the urban and the AU, and these differences must be settings. Political contestation post-2018 folk where the opposition commands put aside for the betterment of elections, has left a trail of bloodshed and numbers, that the government in power the citizenry. property destruction on the back of is illegitimate. disputed presidential election results. The As an incentive for reform, the standoff between the major political According to international election international community needs to create players; President Mnangagwa and observer mission reports, the electoral a substantial “rescue fund”. This should opposition MDC leader Nelson Chamisa, ground was not level. Although the African aim to provide an international (and has resulted in economic and political Union and SADC as per their tradition, integrated) monitoring group; emergency stagnation as the two protagonists continue saw nothing wrong in the manner in which assistance for the many problems currently to pull in different directions. the elections were run, the legitimacy faced by Zimbabwean citizens; and provide question needs to be discussed. re-structuring cost support (the “rescue In consideration of the foregoing, package”). Zimbabweans have pressured the two Military must stay off politics leaders to find common ground for the good of the country. When Mugabe first came out lashing at This “rescue package”, raised the security service chiefs for meddling in internationally, can be allied to the So the intended dialogue must at all costs Zanu PF politics in 2015, those who read development of a US$5 billion Sovereign oscillate around constitutionalism to rescue ahead of time saw the light. The old man Wealth Fund (SWF), in particular repaid Zimbabwe’s constitution from total had lost the securocrats’ confidence. and replenished by receipts from mineral obliteration. In short, the country is Because this is the constituency that exports. This will provide security for the trapped in a constitutional crisis on which shielded Mugabe, the latter’s fall was national currency and guarantee a stable the national dialogue must be anchored. therefore evidently imminent two years national economy. This article unpacks these pricking issues later. Following the military inspired power in a simpler form. transition in November 2017, there was Of course, these ideas of the small group hope Mugabeism had come to an end, but under the PCC cannot be definitive - much Legitimacy question his predecessor adopted the same political more discussion is needed - but the style of over reliance on the military. discussion needs to begin in earnest if Following the dispute around the 2018 dialogue is to have any purpose. presidential election outcome that saw the The military has since been involved in Constitutional Court upholding President civil matters, a case in point is on how the Mnangagwa’s victory, civil unrest has military has become a central player in Ibbo Mandaza and Tony Reeler are co-convenors threatened to tear the country apart. quashing civil protests. The involvement of the PCC. This article first appeared in the of the military in civil matters is against weekly Zimbabwe Independent. To date, the opposition MDC president the Constitution. Hence, it is important still maintains elections were rigged in that the intended dialogue puts an end to favour of President Mnangagwa. As it the abuse of the military.

MARCH 2019 3 Zimbabwe Electoral Commission to discharge four normative roles, namely; manipulation. Those who will be at the the monitorial, participatory, facilitative dialogue forum need to extensively discuss Looking at what has been obtaining in and radical functions (Christians on how best to improve the economy. Zimbabwe since 2000, ZEC as an et al, 2009). institution has lost credibility and has Once legitimate dialogue takes place, there become a breeding ground for political So for media to meet the above obligations, is no doubt the economy will start disturbances which in turn impacts its autonomy must be respected. Post July performing. International relations can be negatively on the economy. The dialogue 2018 elections, universally, observer mended and genuine re-engagement must discuss on how this institution can mission reports established that the state begins. Foreign direct investment will be be rebranded to regain its lost reputation. media failed to abide by the middle of the guaranteed to flock in. Industry will road approach in discharging its duties. reopen, a move that would see the Allegations that the institution is run by unemployment rate being reduced. military personnel is not health for The state media, constitutionally, should democracy. It always raises eyebrows. There be able to give fair coverage to all political Who should be entrusted with must be an agreement among political players in a democratic society as mediation and why? players; the church, business and the Zimbabwe claims to be one. The ordinary men, on what should be done for lampooning and caricaturing that the A worldwide scholarly view ascertains that this country to hold a clean election with opposition political groups and Civil mediation means intervention in a dispute less controversy. Society Organisations have been subjected with a view to resolving it. To that effect, to, points to the desperate need for media any interventions to resolve Zimbabwe’s The 2018 election has given increased policy reforms. political and economic crisis needs an public mistrust on ZEC. Those who will impartial mediator who understands the find themselves at the dialogue table need It would be a fundamental error for any historical part of this crisis. This article to push for solid frameworks that guarantee dialogue to circumvent a discussion around submits three key players that could be the autonomy of the Commission including this important institution. entrusted with the mediation role to help appointment of reputable and dignified Zimbabwe rediscover itself. These are: people. The issue of elections and ZEC Social contract Southern African Development must be fully exhausted in line with Community (SADC), South Africa, African constitutionally stipulated guidelines. This is a key aspect the dialogue should Union and the United Nations. never omit. For policy programmes to Traditional leaders succeed; both political and economic, there Before delving into the question of who should at least be restoration of trust can be entrusted with leading dialogue in This factor flies in the face of President between the governed and the governing. Zimbabwe, it would be a good starting Mnangagwa whose support is anchored The antagonism that exists between the point to give the church an opportunity on the rural folk with traditional chiefs state and its people in Zimbabwe at the to convene all key relevant players for employed as Zanu PF commissariats, a moment is not healthy for any development negotiations. The church is a neutral body practice which is wholly against the the country may need to embark on. where frameworks and points of references Constitution. The failure by Mnangagwa can be made before finding a mediator. to rebuke Chiefs Council President, Government policy programmes are Fortune Charumbira, who declared his received with cynicism. Reports and Using geopolitical lenses, it will be most support for the ruling party on the eve of allegations of corruption levelled against appropriate to burden SADC with dialogue the 2018 elections, and repeatedly at the senior government officials further widen facilitation in Zimbabwe, as has been the Zanu PF Annual People’s Conference last the gap of trust between the governed and case in the past. It is, however, wise to take December, point to a deliberate disrespect the governing. a breather and comprehend first if of the Constitution. As if it was not enough, Zimbabwean people have confidence Charumbira defied the court order which Zimbabwe’s judiciary system has lately lost in SADC. ordered him to withdraw his statement of public confidence too for many reasons. allegiance to the ruling party. This is one Recently, lawyers took to the streets in In the wake of the January 2019 example which the dialogue must discuss. protest against deterioration of justice disturbances that rocked the country delivery. These are the issues that should including the 2018 August 1 shooting of The media be discussed. The government needs the civilians in the streets of Harare, the confidence of its people. country’s closest four neighbors as As a fourth estate, the ideal role of media represented by Cyril Ramaphosa of South can then be traced to Edmund Burke’s The economy Africa, Botswana’s Mokgweetsi Masisi, saying that there were “three Estates in Edgar Lungu and Filipe Nyusi of Zambia Parliament; but, in the Reporters’ Gallery A hungry man is an angry man. The and Mozambique, respectively, reserved yonder, there sat a Fourth Estate more country’s economy is in bad shape. their voices. important far than they all.’” Shortages have become the source of chaos. Because people are struggling to make In turn, the people of Zimbabwe have To that end, the media is ideally supposed ends meet, they are vulnerable to political spoken badly about SADC due to its failure

4 MARCH 2019 to rein the country’s crisis. This means that Zimbabweans have little faith in the regional body as far as solving this country’s political crisis is concerned. Would it not be a political blooper to therefore burden these personalities with the broker’s job?

Accordingly, Professor Jonathan Moyo attempted to answer this question when he wrote on his micro blog twitter late in January 2019. He maintains: “In Sadc there is solidarity within solidarity among and between former Liberation Movements. ANC, CHAMACHAMAPINDUZA, FRELIMO, MPLA, SWAPO, and ZANU PF.” Southern African states, must be made to Key players/stakeholders and why? This being the case, SADC becomes unfit agree that there is a crisis in Zimbabwe. to leading dialogue in Zimbabwe because They must acknowledge that for the sake The key stakeholders to Zimbabwe’s much there is presumption that the regional body of trust and confidence restoration with anticipated dialogue are the people of is not impartial. There cannot therefore the people of Zimbabwe, they need to Zimbabwe in their diversified values and be a legitimate outcome from the accept that they are compromised. beliefs. Thus, it is perfidious to set the intended dialogue. Because the outcome of the dialogue must framework and agenda for a dialogue be legitimate, a legitimate institution with without their input. Wide consultations While South Africa stands out in the region little or no controversy must take the lead. should therefore be carried with the as being the preferred broker and reliable ordinary men and women on the streets longstanding trading partner with The AU (African Union), as the apex as well as in the village with a view to Zimbabwe, the question of impartiality continental body, stands a better chance giving them an opportunity to define the remains the same. of leading dialogue in Zimbabwe. One of nature of the dialogue they want. the objectives of the AU is to promote Do Zimbabweans have faith in Cyril peace, security, and stability on the There are institutions from which Ramaphosa and his ANC? Recently, South continent. Its Peace and Security Council representatives of these people can be Africa’s ruling African National Congress (PSC) and Pan-African Parliament, are drawn from. The key institutions are (ANC), had its high powered delegation effective organs the AU can employ to help political, business, academia, young people, visiting Zimbabwe and met with their Zimbabwe dialogue a way out of the crisis. civil society, the church, traditional leaders, counterparts in Zanu PF. The ANC and people with disabilities. delegation was led by SA’s ruling party While AU leads dialogue, the key players Secretary General Ace Magashule. The at the dialogue table must adopt a The first institution appearing in the above crew spoke less on the deaths of civilians. resolution where both AU, SADC and list is politics. Once politics becomes United Nations become underwriters of flummoxed, chaos reigns supreme in any On the contrary, SA opposition political the resolutions the dialogue will arrive at. state and this cuts across other institutions. party leaders did not shy from condemning The UN, by virtue of being the global Politics is poisoned the moment the state the military crackdown on civilians. The overseer is an empowered institution that views dissenting voices as an enemy. In the Economic Freedom Fighter (EFF) can ensure agreements reached are Zimbabwean case, this is contrary to the President Julius Malema and his guaranteed and secured. letter and spirit of the Constitution. counterpart, Democratic Alliance (DA) Available political literature shows that leader Mmamusi Maimane, condemned UN has been assisting in alleviating from 2000, Zimbabwe went through the human rights violations that Zimbabwe’s humanitarian crisis for a very various political stages of abrogation of characterised the mid-January shutdown long time. Some of these problems constitutionally enshrined human rights protests called by the Zimbabwe Congress emanate from political instability and (and) at most by the state. of Trade Union (ZCTU). In light of this economic mismanagement. view, literally, it is not possible to have the As a result, the country suffered an above-mentioned leaders as brokers in the Under these circumstances, this article international blackout with United States intended dialogue. Ideally, South Africa concludes that Zimbabwe’s crisis can only of America (US) instituting an economic is out. be exhaustively dealt with if a legitimate and political embargo in the name of the mediator takes charge of the negotiation Zimbabwe Development Economic However, if SADC and South Africa in process. The leading institution must be Recovery Act (ZIDERA). The Europeans particular cannot be entrusted to lead in reputable and dignified to ensure the also imposed sanctions on the Zimbabwean the dialogue facilitation process, they still outcome of the very dialogue is government, albeit, the state describing have to be at the negotiation table. These internationally accepted. the move as a farcical.

MARCH 2019 5 Political players The dialogue also and most importantly economists and analysts on the negotiation should not be restricted to political leaders table. They must be given an opportunity In 2008, Zimbabwe again fell into a dark alone. Central to it should be the young to proffer their minds on the economy. political and economic period in which people. This is the most affected the opposition members, in particular constituency. Young people have become The church those from the late Morgan Tsvangirai-led victims of political violence. Some have Movement for Democratic Change lost their lives, some maimed, some raped The church’s role in peace keeping and (MDC), were killed, maimed and tortured. and some were left with lifetime scars. unifying society dates as far back as it was The violence that rocked the country Any state that fails to safeguard the lives founded. The church is a vital institution emanated from the controversial election of its young people, to ensure the that stands ready in providing healing to outcome in which Tsvangirai won the first advancement of its youths in its wide socio-political and economic victims. Its round of the 2008 presidential elections. endeavors, is in actual fact an enemy of hand cuts across political lines. its future. Robert Mugabe, the then president and The church, in the Zimbabwean case, has his government, disputed Tsvangirai’s win South African President Nelson Mandela, been a pillar of hope, harmony and unity. arguing the late opposition leader had failed speaking at the Bastille Anniversary in Paris Zimbabwe found her independence in to cross the constitutionally stipulated line on 14 July 1996, said: “Young people are 1980 with the church having played an thereby calling for a presidential runoff capable, when aroused, of bringing down important role during the liberation election. The violence only ended with the the towers of oppression and raising the struggle. Therefore, any national event Global Political Agreement in September banners of freedom.” cannot go without the blessings of 2008. The GPA led to the Government of the clergymen. National Unity (GNU) with former South Unemployment, to them, is oppression African President Thabo Mbeki as and a new form of colonialism which must When people are hopeless, they (church) a mediator. be fought. So when awakened, because provide hope. When people are in disarray, they are a frustrated constituency, they the church provides a platform for unity. Fast forward to 2018, after the fall of thus engage in violent protests. Their lives The church’s position in our society, must Robert Mugabe in November 2017, hope are at stake. therefore be understood and honored in for democracy in Zimbabwe was largely this dialogue discourse. revived. President Emmerson Mnangagwa Academia whose new dispensation gospel, anchored Traditional leaders on a smokescreen of fustian and abstract The academia having strength in research, Zimbabwe is Open for Business, tricked some has an important role to play in this Traditional leaders and people with locals and the international community to dialogue. Their research often influences disabilities have a stake to guard in this believe that Zimbabwe had parted ways policy formulation. The academia most dialogue. Traditional leaders are key players with its past. importantly produces human capital for in that they are the ambassadors of our the development of the economy. There cultural, beliefs, values and norms. In a Allowing international election observer should be rapport between the government democratic society they help people to missions to observe the elections was not and the academia in light of the human unite and abide by societal values enough. Instead, this exposed the new capital development. and norms. administration. Universally, all election observer mission reports including SADC Captains of industry Also, more importantly, traditional leaders and AU, exposed the state media’s shortfalls have lately been used as political agents by in its coverage of the election season. In a free market economy, which President the ruling government. They have been Mnangagwa advertised in January 2018 in employed to carry intimidation campaigns Considering the foregoing, political players Davos, Switzerland, business institutions among the rural folk. This is a clear become significant thespians in this have freedom to set their prices in line violation of the constitution which instructs negotiation and must be guided by with market forces. Mnangagwa’s dialect traditional chiefs to be apolitical. Their sincerity. Both President Mnangagwa and of laissez-faire gave hope to investors locally meddling in politics needs to be discussed MDC president, Nelson Chamisa, and and internationally. In contrast, there have and a resolution must be made to other opposition groupings must commit been discord in the business sector on the that effect. to political and electoral reforms which back of value loss of the bond note. Added have become the bedrock for disputes in to this, has been government policy Costa Nkomo is a journalist with online this country. They have become sources of inconsistency. publication 263Chat. He writes in his personal antagonism in this country oftentimes capacity. He is also a presenter for the National allowing their tensions to spill into Price distortions have been bearing a Question program. He is contactable on violence. It is, thus, important to persuade negative effect in the business sector. [email protected] these political representatives to meet and Shortages became the order of the day as establish common ground. foreign currency ran out forcing companies to close while others downsized. It is thus Youths noble to have captains of industry, SEPTEMBER TO OCTOBER 2015 6 MARCH 2019 Setting the framework for national dialogue

BY GEORGE MAKONI generally been inked by the powerful politicians of the day. This precedence Calls for national dialogue to solve the after speaker at the breakfast meeting, seems to be continuing given the deep-rooted socio-economic and one could easily realise that the chief above background. political crisis currently rocking protagonists, Zanu PF and MDC Zimbabwe have intensified from all Alliance, are the main actors. Case- These include the Lancaster House circles in Zimbabwe including the main studies on what was done by the likes Agreement (1979) which featured protagonists Zanu PF and of Joshua Nkomo, Robert Mugabe and Patriotic Front (ZAPU and ZANU), MDC-Alliance. Morgan Tsvangirai in line with bringing Zimbabwe Rhodesia government and peace to Zimbabwe, dominated most the British Government. The Unity The crisis has seen the generality of of the speeches and less was said about Accord (1987) signed between Zanu Zimbabweans sinking into the murky other stakeholders. PF and PF ZAPU, Agreement on waters of poverty. Amendment 18 and reforms on the Stakeholders such as civic society, trade Electoral Act (2007), signed between This has resulted in violent protests by unions, youths, women and other Zanu PF and two MDC formations. the citizenry across the country, while downtrodden groups, were just The Global Political Agreement the state has responded with heavy- mentioned in passing. The role of civic (2009), signed by Zanu PF and two handedness in suppressing these society and other players was not MDC formations. The precedence protests. Other stakeholders including prominently stated in the national presented here cannot be easily thrown civil society, industry/business, faith dialogue process as opposed to that of into the dustbins of history. based organisations, political parties, political parties. diaspora and trade unions, are in Against the above background, it is key agreement that dialogue is the panacea The calls for meaningful inclusion to state that none of the mentioned to the challenges facing Zimbabwe. should start from the initial stages. It’s agreements was effective and high time civic society comes up with sustainable in bringing a lasting solution The church through Heads of a framework which involves them in to the political and socio-economic Denominations comprising Zimbabwe the mentioned process. Once the crisis rocking Zimbabwe at given times. Council of Churches (ZCC), politicians start moving the train, it In fact the majority of these agreements Evangelical Fellowship of Zimbabwe will be very difficult for other players have created even more problems in (EFZ) and Zimbabwe Catholic Bishops to jump in. the areas they sought to create Conference (ZCBC), went a step solutions. further by inviting all the stakeholders Dialogues have higher chances of to a “National Dialogue” prayer succeeding if they factor in the For instance, the Lancaster House breakfast in Harare to deliberate on following conditions: inclusion - far- Agreement did not adequately address the framework for non-violent reaching agenda - transparency - a the issue of land in the post-Rhodesia engagement in finding the lasting credible convener - public participation era and many other socio-political and solution to the crisis being faced - appropriate and clear rules of economic issues in Zimbabwe. Equally, by Zimbabwe. procedure and an implementation plan. the Unity Accord did not address issues Contrary to what should be the of healing and justice to the wounds While the initiative by the church is a scenario, the history of the pacts of Gukurahundi. good start, from the tone of speaker concluded in Zimbabwe thus far, have

MARCH 2019 7 The Global Political Agreement (GPA) To secure the participation of a wide Mahtar M’Bow chaired the 2008-2009 also failed to end an electoral dispute variety of stakeholder groups and to Assises Nationales. which ensued between Zanu PF and avoid perceptions of bias, a credible MDC-T in the 2008 harmonised convener is of the utmost importance. This broad participation can be elections and the ultimate presidential This convener may take the form of a achieved by linking local dialogue run-off election. single person, a group of people, an processes to the national dialogue as organisation, or a coalition of well as through public consultations, In fact, the decline of the GPA brought organisations. regular outreach and coverage in the even more misery to Zimbabweans, media. Delegates can be mandated to with the temporary economic boom The aim is to unite opposing factions hold consultations with the groups that experienced during the Government around the ideal of achieving long- they represent as was the case during of National Unity coming to an end. term peace, unity, justice, and Kenya’s 2004 Bomas conference on Political polarisation and hurt/hate prosperity for all Zimbabweans. In this constitutional reform. speech resurfaced with more vigour case, it seems the church is acceptable and intensity after the 2018 to both parties since it has thus far During Senegal’s 2008-2009 Assises Harmonised Election. managed to bring everyone on the Nationales (national dialogue), table through the mentioned meeting outreach teams conducted It is therefore the contention of this held in Harare. consultations in each of Senegal’s writer that as envisaged by Crisis in governorates and also engaged the Zimbabwe Coalition (CiZC) in their Dialogue processes in Tunisia and diaspora in France, United States, and statement on National Dialogue: The Senegal owe much of their success to Canada. For public consultations, it is problems confronting the country are much the credibility of the conveners. In also important that the members of bigger than politics. It is our conviction Tunisia’s 2013-2014 national dialogue, the national dialogue (or the secretariat that the national dialogue process must four civil society organisations - general that supports them), have the capacity involve all stakeholders and a national workers union (UGTT - employers to analyse the resulting information. visioning process that has civil society, union (UTICA) - Tunisian Bar government, political parties, business, Association and the Tunisian League In conclusion, it is key not to ensure religious groups and labour unions. for Human Rights (LTDH), served as politicians do not solely take an active the convening entities. role in deciding critical national issues. This was echoed by Zimbabwe Peace It’s high time everyone gets an Project which added that the diaspora With long-standing moral authority important stake in determining the and victims be included as key and broad constituents bases, this future of the country so that there can stakeholders to the process. In support coalition of organisations was seen as be collective responsibility on the of meaningful inclusion of diverse credible by a significant proportion of implications of the results of the pact groups in the dialogue process, it is the Tunisian population. In Senegal, that would have been achieved. important to state and elaborate ways former UNESCO director general and of making sure all citizens are on board. respected Senegalese citizen Amadou- This will even enhance the participation of all and sundry in ensuring that the best decisions are taken to take the nation forward.

George Makoni is a Human Rights Activist, currently working as an Advocacy Officer for Centre for Community Development in Zimbabwe (CCDZ).He is based in Wedza district. He can be contacted @[email protected]

8 MARCH 2019 Why the need for national dialogue BY LAWRENCE PAGANGA national expenditure is often redirected towards security as incumbents try to ZIMBABWE has a deep history of which has claimed over 20 lives. While protect their rule and development bitter political conflict dominated by death has been replicated, what has oriented expenditure is often death, arson and rape. made the conflict even complex is that subordinated. is has also taken the unenviable While these conflicts have differed in character of dire economic distress. In a season of political conflict, the their origins and intensity, what is effects cascade right down to family common among them is that they have While previous conflict epochs pitting level. Jobs are lost and this often catches ended with the belligerent parties traditional rivals, Zanu PF and MDC, up with family bliss as couples go their finally resolving their differences have seen activists directly linked to separate ways due to problems through dialogue. the two dominant parties suffering associated with lost livelihoods. damage, the current conflict has seen Some of the most costly conflicts in non-activists suffering death as was the Families break up with young children the country's recent history include case in the August 1, 2018 post-election often bearing the brunt. Children are the liberation war which killed an violence and lately, the January anti- orphaned with a lot of them estimated 50,000, but ended with the government protests in which civilians unfortunately finding themselves Lancaster House Agreement and with no known links to the two parties becoming breadwinners at young ages. independence; the 1980s Matabeleland lost precious lives. and Midlands disturbances which killed The sad reality is that most children, 20,000 and ended with the signing of What is even unique with this who are obviously too young to be the Unity Accord; the Zanu PF-MDC particular conflict is that bare criminal employed formally or have not conflict which killed over a hundred activity has taken centre stage with acquired the professional qualifications and was concluded with the Global outlaws committing offences while to be absorbed into decent jobs, often Political Agreement. clad on army fatigue. find themselves joining illicit and dangerous occupations such as Currently, Zimbabwe has relapsed into In a season of political conflict, apart prostitution and crime while also another episode of political conflict from death, livelihoods are lost, taking drugs.

This, as is the case with scenarios associated with conflict, remains undesirable to many if not all, hence the need for solutions. While the scenarios above are of a general nature, it is easy to note that the current situation prevailing in the country, is of similar nature.

Our current conflict has seen the death of over 20 civilians as the army has been roped in to quell citizen protests torched by anger on how they are being governed.

MARCH 2019 9 The conflict has manifested mostly political boundaries. The election predictability within the economy so through a spiraling economy that has results dispute that has caused the that investors can come in freely and seen many jobs being lost on a daily current logjam must be buried on the indeed to restore political sincerity basis while the economy continues to promise that the country shall begin and policy consistency. spiral. Investors have also stayed away. again on a path to solving the problems Zimbabwe’s conflict has also seen that brought the conflict. Outcomes mistrust between citizens and their government with national While President Emmerson The outcome should be restoration on developmental programmes being Mnangagwa feels the opposition needs a path to development. Although often denied citizen buy-in. to recognise him as duly elected leader remote, a truth and reconciliation of the country, he must also know that commission could be considered. The The country’s conflict has seen incomes he needs to take the compromise of army and police must come clean on being eroded by price increases. removing the very same things that that they are non-partisan as they are National consensus is broken as each have created conflict. seen as enemies of the people. citizen tries to do whatever they think shall help them put food on the table It would be naïve, however, to believe The outcome should be a society that at the end of the day, however the current differences are just limited feels wanted and that knows that crime detrimental to the national good. to Zanu PF and MDC. The ghost of is punishable by the law despite one's Gukurahundi still haunts the country political status and affiliation, the Because of this mistrust, each up to now with people in the western ditching of impunity. government programme, however parts of the country still feeling noble, is often quickly shot down by cheated. There has been no attempt to Although also remote, a national citizens who no longer take time to appease them in anyway. transitional authority that involves examine its merits and demerits. eminent personalities representing the This could be resolved by the Zanu PF various interest groups in the country Due to the constant fear of its people, led government owning up to the can be formed. The ruling party needs government also takes a default stance. transgressions. This would even be to acknowledge that much as it has Suffice to say the degree of its fear is more significant in that most of the control of the levers of power. It does exhibited in the force often used in alleged perpetrators of mass murder not have monopoly over wisdom and dealing with citizen unrest as each are still alive. the task of bringing development to action is viewed as an attempt to the nation needs to be shared and this overthrow the sitting administration. While lives lost can no longer be entails bringing in brains like those of restored, a deliberate attempt to bring prominent opposition politicians such In this conflict, just as any other, there development to the affected places as ex-Ministers Tendai Biti and Nkosana is no clear winner. which have lagged behind in terms of Moyo, among others. national programmes can be a good With that obtaining, it is almost a cliché ice-breaker. Political prisoners need to be released to say that national dialogue is as unconditionally to ease tensions in the imperative as it is urgent. Zimbabwe Goal should be to unite the nation country and prepare the ground for cannot afford to bleed further under one flag. They should be to psych sincere talks. than this. the nation towards building and not destruction. They should be to win Lawrence Paganga is a Zimbabwean Goals hearts and not lose them; to redefine freelance journalist. He can be contacted patriotism and not to attach it to a on email: [email protected]. Any resolution to the country’s conflict certain political persuasion to the must not leave anyone feeling exclusion of the rest. victorious or defeated. It must be a resolution that must not injure Goal should also be to build trust in egos too. state institutions such as police and army, to end inherent mistrust between The goal should be to do away with government and NGOs, to bring

10 MARCH 2019 Who defines and sets the agenda top branches of the national baobab Minister's (PM) address on all policy tree could be the beginning of the end debates in parliament. The roles involve and the end of the beginning. responding to the definitions and setup of policy set forth by the PM, presenting Let’s go to the period between August the case and position of 1, 2018 to 31 January 2019.The term the opposition. National Dialogue can be attributed or linked with members of the opposition The opposition could have considered or local and international media that is advocating on increasing the frequency critical to either the ruling party and of appearances and accountability to government. parliament of the President for by Dumisani Ndlovu creating the Leader of Opposition in Lest we forget, nothing becomes a trend Someone starts it and propels it. If it’s parliament requires direct and and trends unless concerted efforts are a phrase that was coined by the consistent communications of the two being made day in day out to make a opposition, who (then), do they need roles. This is so because this new topic an issue. the dialogue with? opposition role would in turn be expected to respond, rebuff and provide Public policy studies would tell you the If it’s the ruling party and government an alternative argument to the President most important issue for public policy that coined it, who again do they want or Prime Minister in that same makers is agenda setting. An item that the dialogue with given that during its parliament. goes onto the agenda is the item that conference in Esigodini, Zanu PF said will be discussed. So the battle in the it would not engage in any dialogue as If the MDC Alliance had carefully public space will always be on what it does not negotiate with losers? considered the creation of the Leader item goes on the agenda. of Opposition in Parliament, higher In Zimbabwe's political circles the levels of accountability would have been It’s important to look at the author, the (suggested or proposed) position of achieved and other governance changes originator and the beneficiaries and (Nelson Chamisa) being Leader of the would have emerged. who needs what. Remember we are Opposition in Parliament was widely operating in a political space when we misunderstood. The common On this matter the main opposition has are trying to dissect this issue of misconceptions was that this was just only focused on one strategy which National Dialogue. As defined by a way to incorporate the opposition involved replacing Zanu PF in the Lasswell, politics is about who gets leader into parliament thereby limiting current governance setup as opposed what, when and how. We should and silencing his political influence. to creating systems that promote therefore look at who needs dialogue efficient, effective and accountable more than the other for them to get The lack of formal recognition and governance. A strategy for dialogue their what, when and how. respect the leader of the MDC-Alliance aimed at changing these governance experienced at the recent state funeral rules would in turn then help the party If I may ask, who coined the words of the late Dr Oliver Mtukudzi shows influence and change issues they National Dialogue and made them that the ruling party and government currently contest. trending? Is it individuals or the nation indicates left while turning right. through participatory methodology? I Following the collapse of the dialogue wonder? There is nothing national In the British parliamentary system, the window, several church organisations without ‘nationals’ engagement. Leader of Opposition is given the like the Zimbabwe Council of Churches Consultation from the grassroots to the honours to speak after the Prime (ZCC), Catholic Commission for

MARCH 2019 11 Dialogue: goal and outcomes

President Mnangagwa at State House with 21 political party leaders

Justice and Peace in Zimbabwe Twenty one (21) political parties (CCJPZ) and other civic organisations, embraced the path of dialogue created have been attempting to bring these by ED (Emmerson Dambudzo main political parties to dialogue. Mnangagwa), under the political parties’ dialogue banner to find lasting

In my view the major problem with all solutions to the country's challenges By Ian Mapira these organisations seeking to facilitate in various sectors. this process is the lack of unity among The government is in the process of themselves in demanding for this In attendance were NCA leader rebuilding Zimbabwe into a great nation. process. These organisations have Professor Lovemore Madhuku, Noah approached the two political parties as Manyika, Dr Thokozani Khupe, Daniel Such a mission requires turning around individual organisations hence are not Shumba, Ambrose Mutinhiri, Brian the country's economy which is in a speaking in tune with one Mteki, Dr Nkosana Moyo, Elton crisis. In order to turn around powerful voice. Mangoma, Lucia Matibenga, among Zimbabwe's economy, the Minister of other party leaders. Finance (Mthuli Ncube), introduced Extensive research has it that the other austerity measures which are "painful" major problem for churches to mediate Absentees to the dialogue were Nelson to the ordinary citizens. Austerity the process alone is the inability they Chamisa of the MDC-Alliance and Dr measures are government actions to have in dealing with many of the Joice Mujuru of the National people's widening the tax base and cutting government expenditure at the political grievances that exist between Party (NPP). In this respect the MDC same time. the MDC-Alliance and Zanu PF. believes that genuine dialogue can only One analyst has previously suggested take place if regionally facilitated and As the government moves on with its to them that an independent non- mediated by SADC and guaranteed by austerity measures, fissures among partisan political actor who is well the AU and the UN. citizens either widen or are created with informed and vested in these political some believing that the economy is going conflict issues needs to assist them in Dumisani Ndlovu is a journalist, a published down. The results of this are violent the process. author, anthologised poet, arts director, protests, high price increases, shops playwright and widely published scribe. He looting producing millions of losses as I believe that at this stage all our is a rural development advocacy, people’s well as the death of civilians. political actors desiring progress and rights defender. He can be contacted on national healing must act more [email protected]. He writes in This shows division among the people responsibly. All our leaders must refrain consultation with YAAYEDU worldwide of Zimbabwe and there is need for from (making) public utterances in the Initiative. dialogue with the goal of uniting the media as these only create more pre- people. Unity brings with it progress, peace, development, trust and ends recognition issues and conditions that violence as outcomes. The argument might hinder the goal of uniting and here is that Zimbabwe needs a national healing the nation. dialogue with a goal of bringing peace among the people.

12 MARCH 2019 Venturing into the root cause of the progress in its relations with Zimbabwe, Zimbabweans themselves. Currently current division one discovers that the is now reviewing its position on the there is no trust between the two largest July 2018 elections process played a part African nation. All this shows progress political parties Zanu PF and MDC- in dividing the people. When the that has been lost as protests broke out Alliance. Zanu PF believes MDC-Alliance Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) in January. Zimbabwe seems to be losing is up to sabotage government policies to announced Emmerson Mnangagwa as its progress and getting back to effect regime change. the winner, Nelson Chamisa could not international isolation again. accept the defeat. The opposition leader MDC-Alliance has always been accused claimed that elections were rigged and Peace in Zimbabwe is now questionable. by the ruling party of going to Western would not recognise Mnangagwa as the “Peace is not merely the absence of war countries to beg for economic sanctions. legitimate President of Zimbabwe. but the presence of justice, of law, of MDC-Alliance, on the other hand, order -in short, of government,” Albeit blames the ruling party for rigging Using ZEC results as the statistics of Einstein said. Basing on Einstein’s quote, elections as well as capturing state followers, it is possible that the more classification of Zimbabwe as a peaceful institutions including the judiciary and than two million voters that follow country becomes problematic. the security services. Chamisa do not recognise Mnangagwa as a legitimate leader. This has therefore The country’s legal practitoners have Such mistrust is unhealthy for the nation divided the people of Zimbabwe with also protested against the justice system as political violence victims fail to report some accepting Mnangagwa (over two calling it compromised. This raises the their cases for due process of law to take million voters), while others believe that question whether there is justice in action. Since January, the media has been the government of the day is illegitimate. Zimbabwe’s judiciary system. reporting of women who were raped and failed to report their cases to the In uniting the people, progress becomes The Zanu PF government has been police. Through dialogue, Zimbabweans one of the key outcomes. With divisions blaming MDC-Alliance for sponsoring can address their differences to unite and among the people, it becomes almost the recent violent protests. In response, build trust. impossible for Zimbabwe as a nation to the largest opposition party on the land achieve the progress needed has denied the allegations and blames Unity in Zimbabwe reduces violence economically and even in policies. this on government policies. Protests in that rocks the country. Elections in the Zimbabwe caused the death of at least country have been filled with violence Zimbabwe's progress in re-joining the six people last year and more than 12 with people losing lives and property Commonwealth league is already at stake civilians in January this year. and some having permanent injuries. It with the United Kingdom saying it will is only unity and tolerance that can not support the southern African country If Zimbabweans are to be united such reduce such violence in Zimbabwe. following riots against fuel hikes that loss of lives can be avoided and peace took place in urban areas. can be restored again. In the July 2018 elections, the political parties met and signed a non-violence Progress in Mnangagwa’s participation Economic development is being stalled treaty. This helped reduce cases of was also stalled as the President by a number of things that point to violence before and during elections postponed a trip to Davos, Switzerland, divisions in Zimbabwe. An English man although there was violence after where he was expected to sell investment once said: "Divided we fall and united the elections. opportunities in the country to investors. we stand." Zimbabwe's economy is likely Finance Minister Ncube had to spend to nose dive if the country remains It is important to dialogue, unite and some time at the World Economic Forum divided. reduce violence which may lead to loss meeting trying to justify why a country of precious lives in Zimbabwe. that is facing violent protests is perfect It becomes hard to speak with one voice for investment. against sanctions when some believe that In a nutshell, the Christian Bible says: the restrictions are not to blame for "A kingdom that divides itself is dead.” Zimbabwe's bid in the removal of Zimbabwe's economic woes but Dialogue must unite the people for sanctions is also at risk as the latest violent government mismanagement. peace, prosperity and development. protests opened issues to do with human Government policies for economic rights. One of the conditions for the development are being received with Ian Mapira is a blogger and a journalist who removal of sanctions against Zimbabwe protests showing division within writes about economic issues affecting is the country’s respect for human rights. the people. the youths and women in Zimbabwe. He can be contacted at: [email protected] Britain, which seemed to be making Unity may also build trust among

MARCH 2019 13 Gender and national dialogue: the issues Eight months after the disputed described as soldiers. Whenever there July 2018 national elections, is a political argument of the Zimbabwe finds itself constipated magnitude that Zimbabwe is currently economically and politically. experiencing, minority and women’s rights are trampled on. In national At every turn national dialogue is issues the voice of the women is lost. being touted as the panacea to the political stillbirth. The recent invitation by Mnangagwa for leaders of political parties to meet

How that national dialogue should be By Grace Mutandwa him and try and set the tone for a constituted and held in a manner that national discourse seemed half-hearted will satisfy all parties is a major bone and not genuinely interested in of contention. Both the ruling Zanu resolving the problems bedevilling the PF and the main opposition, MDC - The political parties see this as their country. Most of the party leaders are Aliance, believe they should have an responsibility, but more voices are male and there should have been a over-riding say on who sits at the calling for civil society and churches deliberate move to invite as many dialogue table and what issues should to be involved too. women as possible. These should not be discussed. have necessarily been politicians but In all the calls for a national those in business, human rights and That there is a general agreement that conversation, what has been lacking other sectors. Zimbabwe has women national dialogue is necessary is in no is a voice demanding that there be who have done well in keeping rights doubt, but the possibility of that gender balance if and when the issues under focus while other women happening is hamstrung by conflicting chinwag (chat) eventually takes place. have kept the economy going as titans political agendas. But it’s getting In both Zanu PF and the MDC- of industry. They too have a voice to clearer and clearer by the day that Alliance, women have been relegated add to the dialogue. People with both the MDC-Alliance and Zanu PF to the back benches and yet in all disabilities have been completely need each other to survive. sustainable peace talks the voice of ignored too. women is vital. The Emmerson Mnangagwa led The issues government is battling a legitimacy Women and female youths make the issue which requires it to treat biggest block of voters and by their When looking at issues around discourse not just as a matter of sheer numbers they deserve not just national dialogue, it is not always the political expediency, but as something a seat at the table but a major voice. what that matters, but also the who? that the country desperately needs. In the aftermath of the elections there Women who are important and While Nelson Chamisa is still sore were disturbances that saw soldiers fundamental to the dialogue are being from a stolen election, it should be shoot and kill civilians. excluded even in the initial discussions clear to him that there will be no of how the national talks should be reversal of the Constitutional Court Recently a Zimbabwe Congress of carried out and what the issues on the decision on the elections and that his Trade Unions national strike ended table should be as well as who should leadership is of essence in ensuring with more bloodshed and several participate. his party is represented in any talks. women (allegedly) raped by men they

14 MARCH 2019 in the way of decent talks, there is need for an impartial moderator who ensures that the conversation does not lose focus and that it remains within the confines of nation building and restoration of peace, rule of law and upholding of human rights.

All parties to the dialogue must be honest and open to discussing national problems as candidly as possible. There must be a mutual agreement that while political beliefs might differ, the needs of the people are more important than political egos. There must be an acceptance that there can be no national talks without women. The main question is who decides who and moral issues. Those churches that has earned the stripes to be invited to have stood by the people in times of As aptly captured in a recent Crisis in the talks? Who runs the show? Should political strife and hardships should Zimbabwe Coalition statement: “We the president who is an interested have a say, but they too must ensure hold the firm view that national party be the one leading the that this is not just another opportunity dialogue process must never be interchange? for the men in church to be heard. restricted to political parties but should bring on board a cross-section While matters of political positions Women in the church should not just of stakeholders that include civic will be uppermost on most politicians’ accompany men, their voices must be society, labour, women, youth, persons minds, the issues on the table should heard. The young, the unemployed living with disabilities, media, farmers, seek to find lasting solutions to the and those with disabilities, all need to religious groups, business, students country’s political and economic be represented. and Zimbabweans living abroad.” problems. Protection of institutions of democracy and governance should Safety of women in independent Zimbabwe requires a national dialogue be at the top of the agenda. Zimbabwe continues to be elusive. that is as painfully honest as possible During the 1970s war of liberation, and one that embraces the needs and There should be genuine desire by all several women were (reportedly) aspirations of all nationals. Democracy parties to fix the economy, to see to raped not just by Rhodesian security can only thrive if all parties to the it that the country commits to reforms forces but also by some liberation national discourse put country and and honest engagement of the combatants. Today women still feel people first. international community. The under threat. Their level of self- beatings, killings and rampant rape of actualisation is in danger because the Grace Mutandwa is a journalist and Logan women by security forces must be political environment does not provide Non-Fiction Fellow. She can be reached at addressed fully. a safe space for women. [email protected]

A gender-balanced and strong civil Any national dialogue that seeks long- society keeps both the government lasting solutions should never be and opposition in check and deserves restricted to political parties only. a seat at that table. Under normal While this will be a discussion, given circumstances churches speak to peace the political disagreements that stand

MARCH 2019 15 Women’s

By Conelia Mabasa voices matter In the aftermath of the stayaway of announcement of presidential election better than women themselves. January 14 called by the ZCTU and results. the army and police crackdown that National dialogue is described loosely followed soon after mostly in high- They relied on the same in the week as when a nation converses with itself density suburbs of Harare, 17 women of the stayaway when citizens were to resolve sticking issues with a view were reportedly raped by brutalised to crush the protests against to find lasting solutions to foster peace “security forces”. hardship and a failing economy. and prosperity.

Most of the women gave their accounts In a wounded society where poverty, According to a report, Beyond the of rape to reporters from a safe house frustration, anger, conflict and number:Women’s participation in the Kenya in Harare. Ambushed in the dead on unresolved crises are rampant, women National Dialogue and Reconciliation, the night, perpetrators forced come out worse off and rape is often women inclusion will add credence to themselves on them without any form used as a “weapon of war”. The victims the peace processes. Meredith Preston of protection and disappeared into suffer a double bind because reporting McGhie and E. Njoki Wamai the night. brings unwanted attention and stigma, argue that: but to keep quiet is to allow But how did we get to the stayaway, perpetrators to go unpunished yet the “Research shows that broader the protests and general restlessness? wounds remain raw inside of victims. inclusivity in formal peace process, of Ever since the coup, sanitised as civil society as well as women, increases “operation restore legacy” of November For a country to be described as the credibility of the process and 2017 that toppled former president peaceful, women and children must contributes to the sustainability of the Robert Mugabe, Zimbabwe has been feel secure. It is against this background agreement reached. Peace processes slowly sliding into a military state. And that calls for national dialogue are most characterised by heavy involvement of the fact that the presidium comprises welcome and women must claim a seat women have been found to be more former military men does not as nobody can articulate their issues legitimate and sustainable compared help matters.

President Emmerson Mnangagwa, vice-presidents Kembo Mohadi and Constantino Chiwenga are former freedom fighters. From the time they were assisted into power by the army, they rely on the repressive state apparatus as a back-up each time they are caught unawares by citizens trying to voice their concerns as evidenced by the events of August 1, 2018 where six people lost their lives and several were injured when youths went into the streets to protest delays in the

16 MARCH 2019 to those with little or no women’s involvement . . . women serve as important counterweights to what are often political or military interests.”

The Gender Commission, Women’s Action Group, Zimbabwe Women Lawyers Association, Women’s Coalition of Zimbabwe, Women and Land Rights Zimbabwe, Msasa Project, Katswe Sistahood, among others, must bring women’s issues to the fore during national dialogue.

If women take a back seat, chances are the national dialogue will be political countries were able to navigate national they used following the August 1 judging by how President Mnangagwa dialogue to minimise resistance and shootings, find neutrals to lead. invited presidential candidates in the avoid false starts, since that has a bearing last election to initiate dialogue on on budgets and set timeframes. National dialogue cannot be haphazard February 6 2019. That created the or exclude certain key populations, impression that the solution to our The consultative process brings in a otherwise it will be an exercise in vain. myriad of problems is political, yet new dimension about funding for the Key populations include academics, there are many stakeholders and huge process of national dialogue. When women, experts in rights, democracy, politicians are only a single entity. Burundi engaged in national dialogue security, churches, civic society, in 1994, after an attempted coup media, business and ambassadors, National dialogue is not a political resulted in 50,000 casualties, they went among others. agenda, but all encompassing. looking for funding which they got from the Nordic countries. The grant According to the Platform for However, it is also important to note was administered by an outsider to Concerned Citizens, (co-convened by that women are not a homogeneous guard against misappropriation of Ibbo Mandaza and Tony Reeler), the group and their views in a given conflict resources or diversion of funds, which national dialogue must address: are not the same and this calls for wider Zimbabwe has a reputation for. economic and social rights; restoration consultation from the grassroots. In of the rule of law and absolute South Africa, women’s organisations Before various groups are invited for adherence to the Constitution; mobilised three million women in the national dialogue, the state must make compliance with natural justice, safety consultative process to build on to the funding available and give the and security, withdrawal of the military women’s agenda for the national timeframes for the complex process, from civilian space as well as complete dialogue. which involves changing national opening of the media space and an attitudes and training of minds to work inclusive national dialogue. In that same breath, it is not enough to for national good rather than just have women representation, but it selfish ends. The task at hand cannot be a public is critical to bring in expert knowledge, relations exercise, it is the dividing line direction and substance. It is not the The process of national dialogue and between national demise and number of participants that matters, conflict resolution cannot be chaired resurgence. but the quality they bring to the by one of the participants as is discussions and experience in peaceful threatening to happen in Zimbabwe. CONELIA MABASA is the chief-sub-editor resolution is a prerequisite. The president cannot lead the dialogue of The Standard. Views expressed here are or call on parties to bring the concerns her own. Email: [email protected] In Kenya, the women were assisted by of their supporters. The process is Graca Machel as one of the mediators fragile and could suffer legitimacy, together with other conflict resolution objectivity and credibility issues. experts from the United Nations. It is Government cannot take the lead, they important that we study how other must use the same modus operandi

MARCH 2019 17 Inclusive dialogue panacea to Zimbabwe’s crisis A hungry man is an angry man. to the extent of killing one another?

This adage best explains the dilemma The expected national dialogue should that Zimbabwe faces if it fails to address table issues that affect the whole nation; the current political, economic and especially issues regarding the social crisis. environment around campaign activities when heading for an election. This is Elections have been held before and once where political violence begins when they are done people of Zimbabwe have people take advantage of the dominance always resorted to endurance and of their political parties, affiliation and moving on awaiting the next harmonised By Pauline F. Chateuka positions they hold in the respective elections hoping to vote democratically parties. again. Political parties, communities, traditional leaders, districts, regions, faith-based The national dialogue should come up These are people who are caught in organisations (FBOs), civil society with fair mechanisms that will provide between political parties and are left organisations, non-governmental security against political violence. This with no choice except to call for national organisations, youth organisations, should include, provision of security to dialogue which they believe might come women organisations and those the media fraternity to enable them to to their rescue in their hope to build a representing children’s rights, must take conduct their duties as expected of better Zimbabwe for the future of part in the national dialogue as evidence them without fear of victimisation. their nation. of everyone’s participation. Security is the major mechanism to what They are hoping to once again have a A national dialogue is a process and we might want to call a free country, revived Zimbabwe where after tertiary therefore no one should be left out for without security the nation will always education one is able to apply for a job, the sake of mapping an inclusive way live in fear. get a weekly wage or a monthly salary forward and reaching consensus. and at least be able to buy groceries for Every Zimbabwean has a role to play in their elderly at home which has become Taking into account the events of August this national dialogue even though at a dream among other daily expectations. 1, 2018, everybody should be hurt by different levels such as the community the loss of lives of innocent people to level, organisations representing different People might continue pointing a finger what people might want to call some groups of people (women, youths or at each other as to who did what, but “power hungry” politicians. children), different political parties or what Zimbabweans need right now is different faith based organisations, just mapping the way forward on how to The same happened during the so called to mention but a few. All these people build their country for the sake of their “stay away demonstration” that again also are the ones that make a nation and in future as a nation. took the lives of innocent people with this case the nation called Zimbabwe some losing their properties. and they must be the stakeholders of the The statistics of the 2018 Harmonised national dialogue. Election results are self-explanatory and Yes, people are hungry but the looting one would not dispute the need for a and destruction of property worsened Consultations with the people of national dialogue. It’s like the country things and reduced the credibility of Zimbabwe starting from the is split into two halves. We are talking what was supposed to be a mere peaceful communities, would help in the initial about people’s lives (here) and demonstration. But the question is: Since stages of the national dialogue because their future. when have Zimbabweans become so heartless players such as the political parties, faith

18 MARCH 2019 based organisation, women organisations and NGOs, are there because of communities. Therefore each player should have representation at the Who gets invited negotiation table to make sure no one is left out.

There can never be a political party without involvement of the community to the table? and the same applies to all the other There is a popular quote that reads: if you organisations hence the vitality of the are not at the table, you are in the menu. communities which must be the first port of call if Zimbabwe is going to have Zimbabwe is not short of the best minds, a meaningful and fruitful national the best negotiators who have the dialogue. potential to push parties to reach the zone of potential agreement, but the At this juncture the national dialogue is rhetorical question would be: a very important process to the people of Zimbabwe and must be spear-headed In the previous discourse has the government been inclusive enough to by Zimbabweans. It’s high time invite different stakeholders to the table By Clarity Sibanda Zimbabweans learn to trust themselves or the table has always been reserved for as a nation. those who think they have monopoly over to the country’s problems. Our leaders democratic powers? must stop the ostrich mentality of hiding The truth is Zimbabweans know where their heads in the sand especially when their problems are emanating from. The recent social and political upheavals things go wrong. Dialogue is needed to Therefore, if the political parties are the in the country are too hard to fathom and resolve the impasse. The discussion must cause, why not then leave the mediation dialogue is urgently needed to restore be inclusive, and this is the only way to process in the hands of FBOs who are harmony in this once jewel of Africa. ensure that a broader set of interests sort of neutral even though there are is represented. active politicians in the church. As am writing this article am reflecting on the book by Elisabeth Lindenmayer In the quest of ensuring that everyone is What is needed right now is to give them and Josie Lianna Kaye published in 2009 represented, dialogue must involve the benefit of doubt and leave them to and titled: A choice for Peace? The Story of stakeholders drawn from faith-based lead the process. Zimbabwe is a member Forty-One Days of Mediation in Kenya. The organisations, civil society and the media. of SADC, AU, UN and other former United Nations Secretary It is true that no government can be General, Mr. Kofi Annan (May his soul secure without a formidable opposition. international communities that can come rest in peace) who was the chief mediator Therefore, opposition political parties in to monitor the situation. made sure that the process was inclusive must be invited to the table. by ensuring that all groups were Zimbabwe has been through a continuously engaged in the process. The warring political parties must come Government of National Unity (GNU) on board, discuss and proffer solutions before and it’s not surprising to walk It is an uncontested fact that Zimbabwe to the crisis. The government of the day along the same path for the second time. is in a state of disharmony with the recent predominantly consisting of Zanu PF In the end, it is ordinary Zimbabweans security forces brutal crackdown still compatriots, has refused to yield to that must be the winners and fresh in the minds of many. The country opposition demands calling for the not politicians. has not survived the economic implosion restoration of democratic rule of law either and the economic indicators have while the leading opposition MDC- Pauline Chateuka is a fourth year media gone in the wrong direction. The crisis Alliance party is alleged to have been the student at the Great Zimbabwe University. in the country cannot be solved by great brains behind the periodic protests. She writes in her personal capacity. speeches delivered with great [email protected] oratory skills. Finger pointing has become the order of the day among the two parties hence the What is needed is a settlement ideally deafening calls by concerned citizens for meant to provide an immediate solution the two to dialogue. Dialogue can help

MARCH 2019 19 assist in the restoration of the rule of law. Kenya is a good example of how mediation as a result of effective dialogue managed to resolve the deadly post- election dispute. The post election violence that erupted in the East African country in December 2007 is said to have resulted in the death of over a thousand people. The events that ensued are not quite different from what transpired in Zimbabwe as we reflect on the post-2018 elections where protests against election fraud turned bloody with soldiers firing live ammunition and allegedly killing six people. because of its ability to develop processes Therefore, it is pivotal for the sector to We can write about our troubles until within the framework of peace, justice, be invited to the table so that they can the cows come home, but recent respect and acceptance, to improve long- be able to express their concerns and developments just show the urgent need term relations and attitudes between the defend their mandate. to hold a national dialogue which might conflicting parties, will definitely have to be the answer to the crisis. In Kenya, for be part of the dialogue. The list of those to participate in the the warring parties to reach consensus, dialogue process might be non- mediators were invited. Thirdly, civil society organisations that exhaustive, but what really matters is comprise women/men-led groups, the having everyone represented. People must The violence was too dire to ignore and disability sector, trade unions, students understand that dialogue can sometimes to restore peace, reaching an agreement and youths, among others, must be be a process, rather than an event. was the only solution. After days of intense involved in the dialogue process. For quite Understanding that the process is owned negotiations between President Mwai some time, civic groups and the State by the parties themselves is integral to a Kibaki and Mr. Raila Odinga, an have had acrimonious relationships. The holistic approach to peacemaking. agreement was reached. The process led latter has labeled the groupings ‘enemies to the two signing an Agreement on the of the state’ while those CSOs that signed Just like Malala Yousafzai aptly put it and Principles of Partnership of the Coalition Memorandum of Understandings with I quote: “The best way to solve problems Government. the Government, have received their fair and to fight against war is through share of criticism from the ordinary dialogue.” If we do not engage in dialogue, These are critical lessons to be learnt and citizens who allege they have been we will be irrational as a people for we perhaps Zimbabwe can pluck a leaf from conscripted and demobilised by cannot continue losing lives. Neither can Kenya especially on the significance of the system. we withstand the economic pressure inviting political parties to the table. exacerbated by periodic violence. It is thus important to have non-partisan Secondly, the religious leaders must be CSOs that will be able to advocate and The social, political and economic part of the dialogue process. Those who represent the voice of the voiceless as has situation in the country is a ticking bomb followed the 2017 events in the country always been their mandate since waiting to explode and many will surely will remember how the Catholic cleric, inception.Partisanship must be thrown be left scathed if something is not done. Father Fidelis Mukonori, participated in out of the window while a culture of the negotiations between former tolerance must reign during the dialogue. After all, a stitch in time saves nine. President Robert Mugabe and the Zimbabwe Defence Forces led by General Last but not least, the media must be at Clarity Sibanda is a freelance journalist based Constantino Chiwenga. the table. The adage, the pen is mightier in Harare. She can be contacted at; than the sword has shown the effective [email protected] The military seized power but did not role played by the media in informing remove President Robert Mugabe. and educating. The recent internet Instead, the Jesuit helped in convincing shutdown led to the country’s citizenry the former leader to resign. One could losing vital information. The fourth estate argue that the mutual trust Mugabe had was not spared either especially online with the cleric leader helped in resolving media houses who solely rely on the the leadership impasse. The church, internet to disseminate information.

20 MARCH 2019 Dialogue should be between Mnangagwa and Chamisa questioned locally and internationally, who have been following recent President Emmerson Mnangagwa called developments. all losing presidential candidates to a national dialogue (at State House). This This dialogue should be between Zanu PF was snubbed by MDC president Nelson and the Chamisa-led MDC. Any other Chamisa who got just about as much as politician seeking to add a voice (to the Mnangagwa and has refused to dialogue) is merely looking for acknowledge the Zanu PF stalwart’s unwarranted publicity and a shot at any presidency. office in a possible GPA (Global Political Agreement), if the dialogue goes the way Chamisa has been castigated for snubbing the ordinary man on the street hopes By Leopold Munhende the talks by some sections of society and it will. the media. But to be honest, what can Zimbabwe’s economic and political Chamisa discuss with Bryn Mteki, Daniel “A group of electoral losers whose outlook is not as rosy as was forecast by Shumba, Violet Mariyacha, Melbah mandate is hallucinatory will attend a optimistic analysts following the 2017 Dzepasi, Blessing Kasiyamhuru and Peter meeting called by the disputed leader of coup which toppled Robert Mugabe after Wilson who all got 0.1 percent in last Zimbabwe. Meanwhile, the one with the 37 years at the helm of the state and year’s presidential election. The closest legitimate claim to the throne Nelson government. loser to Chamisa, his nemesis Thokozani Chamisa calls for restoration of law and Khupe of the MDC-T, got 0.9 percent. order before dialogue. Forward!” said Talk of dialogue between ‘stakeholders’ academic Pedzisai Ruhanya on to find common ground and reset the No wonder Nkululeko Sibanda (Chamisa’s microblogging platform Twitter. Southern African state to a development presidential spokesperson), dismissed the paradigm has been common in the past gathering as a ‘tea party’ and Joice Mujuru It is those with a considerable constituency weeks as the economic turmoil starts to (who got 0.3 percent), described it as a of followers who have to discuss the future claw at those who thought they were photo opportunity. of this country. That president Mnangagwa beyond the reach of the ever-encroaching said he does not have autonomy over good crisis. It is of paramount importance that it be ideas does not mean the course Zimbabwe established by whoever is responsible, the is going to take should be determined by It is no secret that some members of constituents being represented by these Timothy Chiguvare of the People’s society (especially the subaltern) favoured losing presidential candidates who Progressive Party (0.0 percent). a transitional government after the army- attended the State House event. Those without numbers should sit back led coup mainly because Zanu PF had and let those with numbers dialogue. depleted the little trust they had for it and In 1978, then (Rhodesian) Prime Minister its leadership which they accused of gross Ian Douglas Smith, invited all opposition The challenge with involving the church mismanagement of the economy, political parties to dialogue. The likes of is that some clerics are getting tainted by unprecedented levels of corruption and Bishop Abel Muzorewa and Ndabaningi the day. The number of cases reported disregard for basic human rights. Sithole made their way to Smith’s offices against (some of) these religious leaders like what happened recently. is appalling especially when one considers The late MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai that the hopeless continue to flock to these and his cadres had shown their capabilities Robert Mugabe snubbed the talks and peoples’ ‘sanctuaries’ where the little they in the 2009-2013 coalition government argued: “Legitimacy is not sought through would have saved is conned out of their and there was hope that a similar setup some kitchen dialogue but from all the torn pockets. after Mugabe would counter the negatives people of Zimbabwe, black or white. which threatened to take the country back Release all political prisoners so that we Zimbabwe does not have spiritual to 2008. can talk.” problems. Ours are political issues which have resulted in economic failure. If they With the route the country is taking being I am sure this sounds familiar to those were spiritual, I am sure they would

MARCH 2019 21 have been solved by now since we are a prayerful lot.

Traditional leaders, except may be for Chief Vezi Maduna of Filabusi, cannot be All parties trusted as they have not made it a secret that their allegiance lies with Zanu PF. It will be folly for us to think that they would suddenly go against the wishes and demands of the revolutionary party during have a stake whatever dialogue. to also add their voices in calling for a national dialogue. This dialogue should just be facilitated by an individual without any direct interests More political parties should now accede in Zimbabwe. South Africa has done to this call and desist from demands that enough and should be commended for are self-centred and which may derail a that. However, they have vested interests fruitful outcome. in this poor country. It is not a secret that any business would A seemingly defeated Zanu PF sets a bad operate viably in an environment that is precedence (for South Africa) as it would peaceful and profitable so there is need be inspirational to the militant Julius to invite the business sector. And, many Malema-led EFF and the ambitious DA. By Tafadzwa Muranganwa a times in this country, the informal sector We need the United Nations to mediate is not given its due consideration despite issues between Zanu PF and MDC, the Zimbabwe is suffering from a worsening that it is one of the key drivers of only worthy stakeholders to whatever economic decay that is reminiscent of the this economy. talks might follow. Healing and restoration economic meltdown in 2008 amid calls after conflict are not issues to be taken for national dialogue to prevent the country Organisations that represent the informal so lightly. from falling into quagmire. sector like the Small-to-Medium Enterprises of Zimbabwe (SMEZ),Vendors Just recently members of the media grilled President Emmerson Mnangagwa and Initiative for Social and Economic Khupe after she invited political players opposition MDC Alliance leader Nelson Transformation(VISET) and the Cross- to a national dialogue. In what capacity? Chamisa, have been warming up to national Border Association of Zimbabwe just to Was she going to get recognition seeing talks though with conditions for the mention a few should be invited for the as she only has 0.9 percent of the dialogue. It is in this regard that even the dialogue rather than only focusing on electorate? Who was she representing? media has focused much on the two big formal businesses. How was she going to interact with political outfits, Zanu PF and MDC- Chamisa whom she accused of being a Alliance in the national dialogue that is We have witnessed how the government power grabber? now the main hope for most citizens to in its quest to formalise the country has extricate this country from this economic been coming hard on vendors who don’t Zimbabwe cannot run away from these and political malaise. have any other alternatives to sustain questions. themselves because of unemployment so However, this article serves to remind there is need for this sector to also Ideas may differ, but whatever the case that for a successful national dialogue to participate in the national dialogue. might be, honestly, what can Chamisa happen there is the need to ensure there discuss with Bryn Mteki? is inclusivity targeting all political parties, Civic society is a vital cog in promoting business, civil society, ,church, traditional democracy, transparency and Leopold Munhende is a Harare based journalist. leaders, women and youths groups. accountability in any country by Here he writes in his personal capacity. He can encouraging political participation among be contacted at [email protected]. All political parties have a role to play in citizens. It will be worthwhile for various the mulled national dialogue as some of organisations within this sector to converge the main issues equally affect them. It was and participate in the national dialogue. indeed prudent for ‘progressive development parties' comprising Thokozani Zimbabwe has witnessed human rights Khupe' s MDC-T, Trust Chihora's abuses and there is need for a serious Coalition of Democrats and Lucia national healing and transitional processes Matibenga's People's Development Party, that can only be fostered by some

22 MARCH 2019 non-governmental organisations that have people living with disabilities and other Zimbabwe (2013), Paul Bradfield says: been pushing for this and should be the key stakeholders must collectively table key stakeholders in the national dialogue. their concerns, ” asserts Heal Zimbabwe. “The prevailing theme in the commentary on youth and violence is that exclusion It is undeniable that the church is Women continue to bear the brunt of and lack of opportunities faced by young important in nation-building which makes political contestations in Zimbabwe. people leads to disillusionment and, in it undoubtedly a key player in the national According to the Research Advocacy Unit some cases, their participation in violence. dialogue. Organisations like the Zimbabwe (RAU), the spectre of politically motivated Council of Churches and the Evangelical violence against women in Zimbabwe is “Unemployment, insufficient educational Fellowship of Zimbabwe, among many appalling as cited in some of their opportunities, poor governance and social others, can be credited for starting the researches such as the 2010 Preying on the marginalisation can lead to the deep conversation around national dialogue and “Weaker” Sex: Political Violence against Women disaffection of youth in society, increasing as such, should come in as facilitators in Zimbabwe and Politically Motivated Rape the likelihood of them resorting to anti- or mediators. in Zimbabwe ( 2011). social activity and engagement in violence.”

The fact that traditional leaders have been During the three-day stay away in January From the assertion above, it becomes accused of being partisan in their roles (this year), scores of women are reportedly apparently clear that the young folks have means that there cannot be any dialogue said to have been raped by suspected a stake in the national dialogue and without involving them. soldiers. Against this background, there is especially in the current scenario where the inherent need for full women most of them had been angling for a young The Zimbabwe Peace Project, led by representation and participation in the leadership during the 2018 elections veteran journalist Jestina Mukoko, has national dialogue. campaign. It becomes a must to recognise documented how traditional leaders have their role. in many elections been used to intimidate Another borne of contention among the rural electorate. It will be a futile women is how they have shied away from So various youth organisations will now dialogue when such a fundamental issue politics in this country because of its have a mandate to table their concerns and is discussed or not discussed without violent nature, observed even in political should also consider their counterparts in inviting the traditional leadership especially parties’ primary elections. Subsequently, rural areas for a holistic strategy to (through) its representative Zimbabwe only a few women have stood up for alleviate their grievances. Council of Chiefs. council, legislative and presidential elections. People with disabilities who have been In a statement on the need for national alienated from most economic and dialogue, Heal Zimbabwe aptly captures Youths in Zimbabwe tend to share the political processes, need to be factored some of the key stakeholders for a same predicaments that women face. For in so that inclusivity is obtained during the fruitful dialogue. example most young people are targeted national dialogue. as perpetrators of violence or as victims. “Zimbabweans from across the political In a paper titled, African Experiences of Those with disabilities are the most affected divide including women, youths, children, Youth in Political Violence - Reflections on when there is economic and political strife hence organisations that advocate for their rights ought to be included in the national dialogue.

Tafadzwa Muranganwa, a CCOSA graduate, is a freelance writer based in Harare with a keen interest in humanitarian ,political and agriculture issues .He writes for Radio VOP, OpenParlyZw and KalabashMedia among many other publications. He can be contacted via the following: Email :[email protected] Twitter @TMURANGANWA

MARCH 2019 23 Broader representation key to national dialogue

in the national discourse process include values which are shared across the central government, parliament, political divide. The church introduces politicians, the church, youths and the sobering component into a setting women organisations, business, civil with simmering tensions. society and traditional leaders. The church also has the advantage of By Nkosana Dlamini Parliament and Government numbers as Zimbabwe is largely a Christian country with values anchored WITH calls for a national dialogue Parliament and government are the only on the popular religion. It is one reaching a crescendo, Zimbabweans are stakeholders who can exercise institution that has the rare capabilities still agonising on who should be part constitutional authority to leverage of drawing membership from a of the envisaged national process widely processes. The two arms of the state diverse setting. thought to be the panacea to the also control the coercive instruments country’s deepening multi-faceted crisis. of the state to enforce decisions. In all the country’s past conflicts, the church has played a role in bringing Speaking during the inception of a They enjoy mandates that have been feuding parties together. It is, however, dialogue initiative by churches in granted directly from the much encouraging that the current dialogue February this year, MDC-Alliance representative electoral process. They process is also being spearheaded by leader, Nelson Chamisa, said the current are the implementing arms of the state men of the cloth. national gridlock that has manifested in and exercise the responsibility to attend massive suffering and citizen unrest to public matters. Business must never be located outside the 2018 electoral dispute between his party and Unlike some of the stakeholders within Business has remained an elite force President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s the dialogue matrix, they have control within a national system that has seen Zanu PF. over material public resources and are prices soar and jobs lost. It has the the main stakeholders in the process. national economy in the palm of its However, a general reflection on the hand. Coincidentally, the economy is country’s successive past conflicts would In the Zimbabwean case, the two arms another primary area of intense conflict reveal that even before the July 30 2018 of the state hail from political institutions in the country. elections, there were already pockets - Zanu PF and MDC - that have been of restlessness among different blamed for the current economic and Business plays the unenviable role of communities, interest groups political problems. They are protagonists being the buffer between governing and individuals. and for those reasons, they cannot be authorities and citizens if it comes to found missing from the negotiating economic matters. However, the two These include sections of the population table. ends (government and citizens) have that feel excluded from national also taken time to single it out for the processes, sections that feel they have Church country’s pricing chaos. been wronged before and have further been ignored. The Zimbabwean church, in its Business has indeed been the problem diversity, is also a key sector within the in as much as it remains the solution. Because of that, the importance of national discourse. It brings in having broader representation on the conscience and the moral dimension to In the current economic anarchy, negotiating table cannot be over- the negotiating table. business ethics have been tossed through emphasised. the window to the detriment of the It is one unique institution that is non- economy with the most visible acts Stakeholders who should indeed input partisan and is anchored on Christian being the role business has taken in

24 MARCH 2019 fuelling the illegal foreign currency Women and youths black market. Women and youths, likewise, feel the The essence The rancour between business and the architecture of the country’s politics population has often been seen in and economic slant have not been massive looting during civil designed to meet their specific needs. and skills of unrest situations. The two groups have been used as pawns in the complex game of politics negotiations In a period of economic stress, business and yet they remain on the peripheries often bears the brunt of citizen anger of government leadership. because of its close interaction with ordinary citizens who cannot Women are the majority among voters. understand pricing models beyond the Youths are prominent during election gluttonous desires of the commercial campaigns. entities. Women bear the brunt of political For those reasons, a national dialogue conflict and economic crises. While process cannot afford to exclude this men suffer the ordeal of torture and important stakeholder as buy-in is related abuses, women suffer the extra needed from all these constituencies. misfortune of rape, a violation which By Grace Mutandwa Business has the financial muscle to lives in one’s memories for life. influence the direction of matters. “Negotiation is often described as the They are closest to the children, they art of letting the other side have your Civil society are often the last of the two parents, way. You have to give the other side a to evacuate when adversity strikes chance to put stuff on the table Civil society consists of grassroots because their first concern is their voluntarily,” Christopher Voss. based organisations that closely interact children’s safety. Women’s involvement with people on a daily business. They in the dialogue process can never be This is what Zimbabweans are going know the people’s needs, they live the over-emphasised. to have to learn to do. The increasing people’s troubles. They have been calls for national dialogue will most fingered as one of the main problems Traditional leaders likely mutate into a negotiation of sorts. as they have also been handy in offering But negotiations are tricky and could assistance to the suffering masses. Traditional leaders have been accused fail because of intransigence on the part of being pawns in Zanu PF’s power of one or more parties involved. Because of their philanthropic nature retention strategies. They live among and advocacy role within society, they communities that bear the brunt of Following the disputed 30 July 2017 have earned the trust of citizens and political violence and poverty. general elections, Zimbabwe is their messages tend to be welcomed increasingly faced with a possibility of by their different constituencies. They are custodians of land and the a negotiated political settlement. The country’s natural wealth, itself a great current political stalemate has affected Pressure groups, another appendage source of conflict in the country. any potential resuscitation of the of civil society, have kept the demands Traditional leaders live within economy and re-engagement with the of different interest groups alive communities and command great international community. through the various platforms they use respect among their subjects. Zimbabwe has lurched from one flawed to push through messages. election to the next and there has not For that reason, their input cannot be been a negotiation that looked beyond Quick examples are groups that have ignored in the entire dialogue process. the desires of the political elites. Even demanded compensation for survivors support given by some Zimbabweans of violence by government, Nkosana Dlamini is a journalist based in and the main opposition towards the compensation for those who have been Harare. He can be contacted at: November 2017 coup, was guided by dispossessed of their land and ancestral [email protected] an immediate need to see the back of wealth by big corporates. then president Robert Mugabe.

MARCH 2019 25 scenario it is most likely MDC-Alliance will be a major player as the biggest opposition party.

Its leader Nelson Chamisa will have to appreciate the importance of accepting that in any political deal, there should always be room for smart trade-offs. But, Mnangagwa will also need to genuinely listen to Chamisa’s grievances and understand that these are important to the opposition leader. Negotiations are not about belittling each other, but finding each other even under the most difficult circumstances. MDC Alliance President President Nelson Chamisa Emmerson Mnangagwa The nature of Zimbabwean politics requires that any negotiation is It was myopic and sadly was not used protecting the real value they seek. underwritten by the people and to negotiate a way out of the system While one might be a good political recognises the importance of putting of patronage that sustained Mugabe. leader they might not be the best country and people ahead of political There has been a lack of informed negotiator and if that is the case, a good leaders’ needs. It must be one that seeks negotiating skills in Zimbabwe which leader will always identify and push to overhaul the country’s political explains why in 2019 the country is forward best deal makers. system so that no government ever has still mired in political controversy. to rewind back and run the country Even when there are ructions between the Robert Mugabe way again. The ruling party is content and happy negotiating parties, a skilled negotiator to continue calling the shots, but the will seek to build mutual understanding The success of any negotiation in reality on the ground is that at some with their rival. Creating rapport Zimbabwe will lie in ensuring that point it will need to strike a deal of sometimes makes the other person institutions that promote and protect sorts with the MDC-Alliance. While more willing to drop one or more democracy, the judiciary and Zanu PF has over the years perfected demands. governance, are strengthened and the art of extracting as much as possible valued. Unless there is negotiation that out of rivals, it might be time now for Sometimes negotiations by their nature commits to a thorough cleansing of the the opposition to ensure that, if there are emotive and often marred by anger. system of government, Zimbabwe will is any deal to be made, it is one that The ability to listen carefully and re- remain stuck in a cycle of tyranny and leaves the country in a better space in stating your rival’s arguments and patronage. terms of good governance and acknowledging their fears and democracy. frustrations will show your opponent It is time for a political settlement that that while you might not agree, not only promises reforms but delivers As Lamman Rucker says: “Everything you care enough to listen with and immerses itself into rebuilding the is a negotiation. Everything is a little understanding. country. Zimbabwe needs a political bit of give and take.” The opposition negotiation that values each and every and other players will have to accept Your counter arguments must leave Zimbabwean irrespective of gender, that while some gains will be made room for further discussions or for race, colour, creed or political something will be lost but whatever is both of you to be able to change your persuasion. lost must not have a higher value than stance on something. the desired goal. Grace Mutandwa is a journalist and Logan These are some of the skills the Non-Fiction Fellow. She can be reached at: Effective negotiators are savants at opposition parties in Zimbabwe will [email protected] creating and claiming value. They know have to employ if there is ever a what the bigger picture is, they research negotiation with President Emmerson on possible outcomes and find ways of Mnangagwa’s government. In such a

26 MARCH 2019 Is Zimbabwe headed for second GPA? dirty politics which is to blame for the In July 2013, the coalition government current suffering of the masses. tenure came to an end, with the holding of harmonised elections in which Zanu PF When Zimbabwe’s crisis reached fever- was controversially declared winner. The pitch in 2008 after the disputed polls, the economy started to take a further nose regional bloc - Southern African dive resulting in the cash crisis Development Community (SADC) - had compounded by the disappearance of the no choice but to intervene and broker a USDollar notes from the market. Global Political Agreement between Zanu PF and the then two formations of the All measures by the Mugabe-led MDC, which gave birth to a coalition administration, which also had large By Mandla Tshuma government. fissures, failed to address the economy with life becoming harder for the ordinary Zimbabwe has not enjoyed any meaningful Under the inclusive government, citizen every day. peace since the military ouster of former successfully mediated by then South African president Robert Mugabe in November president, Thabo Mbeki, Mugabe remained To address the cash crisis, the Zanu PF 2017 despite the act having been viewed head of state, while the late MDC leader, government had to introduce bond coins by many as a positive step towards Morgan Tsvangirai became prime minister. and bond notes indexed at par with the democratic governance in the Southern United States dollar in 2015 and 2016, African country. It was under the three-legged government respectively. Bond notes and coins appeared that Zimbabwe fully-adopted a multi- to have temporally solved the challenge of This, compounded by the disputed currency regime anchored by the United cash until September last year when the presidential polls last year in which States dollar, and the economy started surrogate currency fell on its knees, President Emmerson Mnangagwa, was recovering from the doldrums. Basic almost crashing. declared winner by the Zimbabwe commodities which had since vanished Electoral Commission, a position also from the shelves of many shops started Now with the calls for a national dialogue upheld by the Constitutional Court, resurfacing with inflation remaining becoming louder and louder with the indisputably heralded more problems for under control. passing of each day, Zimbabweans are the country. wondering if Zimbabwe could be headed Zimbabweans had to somehow forget their for a second GPA. The ordinary citizen in It appears, Zimbabwe’s challenges are more yester-years problems during the unity the streets does not necessarily care who political than anything, meaning that if the government era, but that did not is on the throne. All they need is an country is to move forward, it must fix its last forever. enabling environment to pursue their dreams and be able to meet their basics.

Earlier, on Zanu PF had ruled out the possibility of a GNU, with party stalwarts such as Christopher Mutsvangwa and President Emmerson Mnangagwa himself, having said the party had more than two- thirds parliamentary majority to go it alone.

However, the civil and political unrests that have rocked the country since the July 2018 polls to date, point to the fact that the Zanu PF government alone is far from addressing economic challenges bedeviling this country.

MARCH 2019 27 The 40-day strike by junior doctors, which one would be responsible for monitoring almost crippled the health services sector and evaluating the implementation of the and the January national shutdown by agreed issues. No wind in Zimbabweans across the country, are clear signs that not all is well in Zimbabwe and It is, however, not clear if the national a national dialogue is inevitable. dialogue could lead to another coalition the sails for government. Government had all along been meeting another GNU with civil servants’ representatives in order Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition, one of the to iron out their differences, but most of organisations that have been calling for the these meetings have ended up in deadlock indaba, has said the objective has not with both parties failing to agree. necessarily been to create another GPA.

Political observers have since said it is high “We further clarify that in our view the time President Mnangagwa engages MDC- national dialogue that we continue to call Alliance leader, Nelson Chamisa, for the for is not predicated on creating another good of the country. The February 6 version of GPA or an elite power sharing political parties’ indaba, convened by deal,” said the organisation in a statement. President Mnangagwa at State House, was boycotted by the MDC-Alliance, citing a “We reiterate that our envisaged national litany of reasons. dialogue should be a reform process that seeks to safeguard the interest of citizens By Paidamoyo Muzulu One of the reasons is the need for the by restoring the Social Contract between dialogue to be facilitated by an independent the citizens and those that govern.” ZIMBABWE started the year 2019 in mediator. Political analyst, Thomas Sithole, said a familiar environment of deteriorating coalition government could not be ruled economic conditions, collapsed social “In view of this, the MDC’s position is that out ultimately considering the legitimacy services, political polarisation and a the dialogue process must be convened by crisis Mnangagwa faces following last year’s looming drought. an independent mediator and not one of disputed polls. the disputants,” said the party in As in the decade ago, the political a statement. “I think the Zanu-PF-led government is gladiators are looking to political dialogue seeking legitimacy it has suffered since we as the panacea to the nation’s ills. “In this respect the MDC believes that went to the polls,” said Sithole. However, times have changed and a genuine dialogue can only take place if regionally facilitated and mediated by “The outcome that has been contested has politically negotiated settlement is not SADC and guaranteed by the AU and the obviously dealt Zanu PF a heavy blow. By possible this time around. UN. It is also our view and position that these talks, they are trying to get other genuine dialogue can only take place when political parties especially the MDC- A political settlement would not be easily a conducive environment has been created Alliance to accept that the results that were reached in the current scenario for a for the same.” upheld by the Constitutional Court variety of reasons, but mainly because of are final.” four major reasons: Despite the boycott by the MDC-Alliance, 21 other political parties which had fielded He added should that fail, then Zanu PF • the opposition has no bargaining presidential candidates in last year’s polls would be forced to get into a coalition leverage having less than a third of attended the meeting in which they agreed government with the opposition. the seats in the National Assembly. that there should be no precondition for the dialogue and that there should be no Mandla Tshuma is a Bulawayo-based freelance • the overt military takeover after the sacred issues during the discussions. It was journalist, holding a Bachelor of Science Honours November 2017 coup, further agreed that both political and Degree in Journalism and Media Studies from economic reforms should be implemented the National University of Science and • weak and fragmented opposition and while politically motivated violence should Technology. He can be contacted at: be shunned. [email protected] • SADC’s non-interest in intervening Four committees were set up with the first in the Zimbabwean crisis despite its one focusing on the institutional framework potential contagion effect in of the dialogue while the second would the region. deal with the agenda items for the dialogue. The third is going to determine the For coherence and systematic way of convenor of the dialogue while the fourth substantiating the afore-mentioned

28 MARCH 2019 position, it is important to take the points The death of Morgan Tsvangirai in Botswana no longer has vocal and candid one by one and sequentially. February 2018, left the opposition Ian Khama neither does Zambia still have clutching at straws. Nelson Chamisa the no-nonsense Michael Sata. South No parliamentary bargaining maybe popular, but he does not have a Africa, the only country with both the power mandate from the party’s congress as its military and economic muscle to nudge uncontested leader. Zimbabwe in the right direction seems In 2008, the combined MDC formations disinterested. President Cyril Ramaphosa had an 11-MP majority in the National In essence, Chamisa before opening any is not a Thabo Mbeki. Assembly and just below 50% of the negotiations has to have the buy-in from membership of the Senate. This reality most of the party’s top leaders. The less He is preoccupied in retaining the African was that it was untenable for former than one-third of seats they hold in National Congress’ power in the May president Robert Mugabe to lead a Parliament would not guarantee them general elections where his scandal minority government through his five- enough portfolios in Cabinet even in the ridden party battles it out with Julius year tenure. remote case that dialogue happens. Malema’s Economic Freedom Fighters and the Democratic Alliance. The MDC, without a political settlement There would be bloodbath among the had the power to stop the passage of any opposition political honchos on who More importantly, many countries in budget tabled in Parliament, thus would be their negotiators, who would the region have learnt very fast from Mugabe would not have had the power get the coveted Cabinet posts they may United States President Donald Trump to effectively govern. get and more importantly, would recent on the resurgence of nationalism. It has returnees like Tendai Biti or Welshman become fashionable for many countries In other words, Mugabe was a lame- Ncube, be allowed to take any positions to look at how they can survive the duck president and his only alternative, post the negotiations? emerging trend of unilateralism constitutionally, in such a scenario, was presented by Trump who thinks of his to call a fresh election, a position which It remains a moot case whether the MDC country first. he was not ready for. This ultimately in its current makeup can drive a hard softened him to negotiate. Any fresh bargain with President Emmerson Far afield, the United Kingdom while elections would have not only sealed his Mnangagwa and the military better than making some noises is deeply troubled political career, but also drowned the what Tsvangirai did in 2008. Even with in bringing to heel its restless citizens factitious Zanu PF. a parliamentary majority, Tsvangirai and about Brexit. In that sense, Zimbabwe team came out junior partners in the becomes another item on the any other However, the current scenario is GNU enacted in February 2009. Many business (AOB) sections of many nations. different. Zanu PF enjoys a two-thirds party supporters were disappointed by majority in Parliament and thus can lead the outcome. Conclusion without consulting the opposition. This time around, it’s unfathomable that While having dialogue and a possible November 2017 coup the party supporters would want a GNU government of national unity may be that does not change things on the desirable, it however remains a pipe- The coup that swept Mugabe out of ground besides merely shouting they dream taking into consideration the power changed Zimbabwe’s political should have some of their own at the afore-mentioned points. terrain for the short to medium term. top table. The military openly showed their cards. Mnangagwa is not ready to deal. The In fact, it nailed its flag to the mast that Sadc non-interest in the crisis military is not interested. The opposition it was Zanu PF. is in disarray and the world is SADC has not shown an appetite to preoccupied with its own problems. The opposition has no wherewithal to intervene in the Zimbabwean crisis, even negotiate with the military. In its past when it seemed the country could be In that sense, the dialogue sails maybe attempts, the MDC was left bruised. In plunged into civil war in November 2017 adjusted but there is not enough wind the current scenario, the opposition when the military unconstitutionally in the sails to drive the ship for GNU 2. rarely enjoys the support from the took-over power. This could be read in international community that it used to two ways; SADC was tired of Mugabe Paidamoyo Muzulu is a senior journalist with have, so it does not have any bargaining and could not wait to see him gone or Alpha Media Holdings. chips to open talks. the member states of the bloc had their own immediate issues to grapple with. Weak and fragmented opposition

MARCH 2019 29 Considerations for responsible media practice If one wants to read ‘positive’ news garnered by audiences who consume about a certain political party, there those stories is that it is spin and is a designated newspaper full of lurid propaganda. It might lead to such news that they can snap up. institutions losing the trust of their readers; that when they do write an That is how polarised the media accurate story, perhaps about landscape in Zimbabwe is. corruption, no-one will believe them. That is why it is important to practice Each media institution works to sustain ethical reporting all the time, but a particular regime of truth; even if moreso in times of socio-political it is insensitive and inhumane. At the upheaval. expense of factual and unbiased news, spin is used to further political ends; Fair, factual, reliable, unbiased, leaving one wondering whether we impartial and accurate representations still have our sense of humanity intact By Ruth Chatukuta allow readers to retain their trust in as a nation; or we are becoming media institutions. That way, they will brute beasts. Thus it becomes imperative to have not go looking for bootleg sources of some sort of responsible media news who have since thrown the basics Admittedly, any media text seeks to approach, so as to counter the of good media practice out of the make a certain representation to the (un)intended subjectivity. There are window and thrive on sensationalism reader. This brings up the issue of two considerations that media and clickbait. objectivity and whether it is a utopian practitioners can use to strike a balance ideal. That, perhaps, can be written between being humane and being Civic mapping on in the future. A media practitioner objective. These factors would also will pursue a certain angle on a story, help to diminish the rapid fires of fake Media practitioners should realise that thus representing a particular truth. news that blast their way on digital the truth is not always with the elites. The conundrum comes when deciding platforms, particularly Whatsapp. Stories don’t always come from the which angle to take. top, but sometimes from the bottom. Representation To better report on issues, media A photographer covering protests institutions should map the citizenry might choose to shoot from the Media practitioners should understand into layers. There are five layers that perspective of the protesters. A what representation means and its can be explored when constructing journalist might choose to write from consequences. The intended message media texts. the perspective of the officers of law. in a text is not necessarily how the Although both are at the same event, audience will perceive it. A case in There is the official layer which is the their stories might come out vastly point are some of the daily newspapers most frequently used by numerous different. Their representation of the in Zimbabwe. They may make media institutions. It is concerned specific parties; the law, the protestors, particular deliberate negative with what the government is doing the health workers, the by-passers and representations of prominent and what it is saying about a specific the onlookers; will create a certain opposition leaders. event. The next layer is the quasi- perception in the minds of readers of official layer. This layer focuses on civic what really took place. However, the interpretation that is organisations and municipalities.

30 MARCH 2019 It is noted that different media homes. There is need for human institutions in Zimbabwe utilise this interest stories that speak to the layer in a glaringly polarised manner. specific struggles Zimbabweans will Role of the Some regard civic organisations as be going through. the enemy and don’t even bother to media in get their side of the story. Some Protests turned violent? Why not politicise protests in their reporting show the consequences of that event lowering that even citizens’ reactions to by making it personal and relatable? government policies become the fault What audiences do get though are political of a specific political party. dubious commentaries from political and economic ‘analysts’ who always The third layer is the community seem to be out of touch with reality temperatures layer. Some media institutions report and ‘sources’ who choose to remain on an event that has happened in a anonymous. certain space, without actually going to that community. However, Therefore, responsible media practice BustopTV has done a tremendous is not so much about new converts job on this layer. They go into the gained from the gospel of community, engage with people and propaganda. It is about asking the ask searching questions. They have questions that are not being asked started to establish themselves as a (and) from people who are not reliable news source. being noticed. By Simba Nembaware

The next layer is the incidental layer That will allow for accurate The role of media in conflict which is concerned with encounters representations that speak truth to resolution has not been as explicit as on sidewalks and markets. ZBCtv power and allow citizens to make it is in fomenting conflict and uses this layer. However, the views informed choices about their nation violence. What happened in Rwanda, that are given are always structured in an environment that is currently Bosnia and the Danish cartoon to further a certain narrative which full of digital and social media noise. controversy shows that the media can then trivialises the actual use of cause violent conflict. that layer. Ruth Chatukuta is an African communicator, interested in all things Cees Jan Hamlink in his 2010 paper: The last layer is the private layer. communication, media and design. Media and Conflict: Escalating Evil, notes Media practitioners can get stories Email: [email protected] that there is significant research in the private spaces of citizens’ looking at the power of the media as a driver of violence and conflict rather than of peace.

As the discourse about Zimbabwe’s national dialogue gathers momentum, the media finds itself as part of the narrative. Can local media be a tool used for lowering political temperatures and create an enabling environment for dialogue and national healing.

This comes at a time when conventional media is now competing

MARCH 2019 31 gap. And fake news only serves to fuel negativity which in turn feeds disharmony and conflict.

“Many people still believe in known mainstream media that always shows balance and truthfulness in reporting. The media should be known for telling the truth and giving all sides an opportunity to be heard, while shunning hate language,” says Masuku.

But can Zimbabwe media speak in unison, starve fake news merchants and end conflict ?

Bulawayo based journalist and entrepreneur, Zenzele Ndebele, says for space and relevance with social also need to harness the power of the it is difficult to imagine a Zimbabwean media. This is an era where media in conflict resolution and peace media that speaks in one voice; a #FakeNews is flourishing. Fake news building as opposed to deploying its media that pushes a common national militates against peace building and destructive influence such as agenda all for the good of Zimbabwe. social cohesion. propaganda, cover-ups, and inflammatory reportage. “If we had a media that is objective Gift Phiri, news editor at the Daily and not partisan then it can be a News, believes the media can be used When there is nothing lies rule mediator in times of conflict, but the in lowering political temperatures in the roost. problem is that our media is the country. He says the shared polarised,” says Ndebele. identity of being Zimbabwean should Veteran journalist and broadcaster guide the media towards publishing John Masuku, who was the Zimbabwean media has been content that binds the nation. spokesperson of the Kgalema polarised since the turn of the Motlanthe Commission, concurs with millennium following the emergence Instead of focusing on differences that Phiri. Masuku says there is need for of the opposition Movement for ultimately separates the nation, Phiri authorities to communicate timeously Democratic Change (MDC) that says the media should reinforce and effectively with their constituents. shook the status quo and threatened shared identities. to usurp power from the ruling party, “Also, newsmakers like government, Zanu PF. “The media should stop propagating personalities (and) corporates should information that is inaccurate, one avoid being slow in releasing correct Repressive laws such as the Access to sided, inflammatory and information to the extent of giving Information and Protection of Privacy untrustworthy, and allow a diversity space to fake news manufacturers,” Act (AIPPA), Broadcasting Services of voices - including the most advises Masuku. Act (BSA), and Public Order and marginalised - to be heard from the Security Act (POSA), among others onset,” says Phiri. Because people still rely on have fuelled only polarisation within mainstream media for factual and the media. These laws have several The power that the media has in balanced stories, Masuku says when journalists, especially from the private fomenting conflict is equally the same credible media fails to give correct press being arrested. Journalists from power it has in peace building and narratives, social media operatives the private media have been assaulted conflict resolution. Phiri says there is with fake news step in and fill the and intimidated by ruling supporters

32 MARCH 2019 who view their media organisations as anti-establishment. Justification for Naturally, the “it’s us and them” mentality grew in minds of both public and private media transitional authority practitioners. This has created a situation where the private media’s acceptance upon promising far reaching reportage and coverage tends to be democratic reforms that would mark a break with the Mugabe era of half-baked, biased towards the opposition parties window-dressing political and economic with Zanu PF getting negative reforms. coverage. At the time President Emmerson On the other hand the public Mnangagwa assumed power, Zimbabwe had a largely unimplemented new broadcaster, ZBC gives live coverage constitution enacted in 2013. Free to Zanu PF functions and only expression, right of access to information, mentions the opposition in freedom of the media, free association and the negative. other rights and liberties provided for in By Earnest Mudzengi the constitution were only being enjoyed on a token basis. Last year, Simon Khaya Moyo in his A disputed election. More taxes. role as acting Minister of Information, Unyielding, pernicious fuel hikes. The economy was in intensive care, with said media polarisation has no room Replacement of people’s hard earned unprecedented unemployment levels, in President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s United States dollars with strange collapsing social services and decaying administration. Fast forward to 2019 RTGS dollars. infrastructure, among other negative indicators. in the “new dispensation” there are This is the sad story that has characterised still no signs of change. Zimbabwe’s economic situation as from When Mnangagwa came to power, there November 2018 to the present. Indeed, a were promises to fully implement It can only be hoped that the new story of a crisis of expectation. A case of democratic constitutional provisions. There Minister, Monica Mutsvangwa, works a pleasant dream that suddenly was an undertaking for a free, fair and metamorphosed into a nightmare. credible election. The Zimbabwe is open with both private press and public for business mantra was embraced as the media; ruling party and opposition Taking over the reins of power on the back new president announced commitment to parties, in creating a media of the coup that the military staged on his a new dispensation in which economic environment that promotes the behalf in November 2017, President growth imperatives would override Mnangagwa could only gain international political power considerations. Zimbabwe first ideology.

Repealing unfavourable media laws is a step in the right direction. The role of Zimbabwe’s media in peace building is handicapped by draconian laws and unfair application of the law.

Simba Nembaware is a Bulawayo based freelance journalist with a particular interest in gender and sexual rights, internet security and data governance. Email: [email protected]

MARCH 2019 33 From what he undertook, one would as soldiers again shot at civilians in the wake has not been materialising as the economy’s well be forgiven for taking Mnangagwa as of protests against the 151% hike in fuel confidence levels continue to wane. an emerging statesman who was even prices that Mnangagwa personally prepared to have the Zanu PF hegemony announced in January. Reports of these Among key factors contributing to the collapsing for the sake of democracy and killings were coupled by further reports erosion of confidence is the country’s bad the economy. of rape and torture, akin to those of the politics that is lethargic to comprehensive Gukurahundi atrocities of the eighties reforms. For the sake of holding onto However, with the manner in which he during which scores of civilians were power, the ruling Zanu PF finds it handled the longstanding issue of the need maimed and killed. extremely difficult to expose itself to for electoral reforms in the run up to genuinely free, fair and credible elections Zimbabwe’s July 31 2018 harmonised In the wake of these developments, that are managed by a credible and elections, Mnangagwa commenced on a international actors that initially backed independent electoral commission. For course in which many are now considering Mnangagwa have had a change of mindset. fear that its incompetence, corruption and him to be a posturing reformer. The United Kingdom has called for the other hegemony racking vices will be intensification of sanctions against the exposed, Zanu PF cannot unconditionally As if to prove sceptics right, Mnangagwa president and his inner circle. open up the airwaves. waylaid Zimbabwe into the 2018 harmonised elections against the The European Union has maintained The party cannot reform the country’s background of an opaque voters’ register, existing sanctions while at the same time economic system in ways that usher an unreformed, captured Zimbabwe undertaking to swiftly widen them should transparency and prevalence of an actual Electoral Commission (ZEC), a the reform situation not improve. So has free market economy as this may help do broadcasting sector that continues to be a the United States of America whose away with the rent-seeking behaviour that preserve of Zanu PF, repressive legislation Zimbabwe Democracy and Economic sustains expensive lifestyles and key and a host of other factors that militated Recovery Act (ZIDERA) continues to point patronage lines. against the promised free, fair and credible to a tragedy of partial economic reforms. elections. This is to say that, for political survival’s sake, Zanu PF is incapable of reforming It, therefore, did not come as a shock that As if to prove that sticking to partial the country’s political economy. Professor the elections yielded a disputed outcome, reforms does not pay, the economic results Jonathan Moyo, then a Zanu PF functionary with the American government, the are telling, with indications that pointed to this sad reality in 2016 when European Union and the Commonwealth, Zimbabweans are worse off economically. he declared that “Zanu PF will not reform not endorsing the poll as a legitimate Coming against a backdrop of a unilateral itself out of power.” reflection of the electorate’s preferences. tax rise that the business sector On its part, the Southern African unanimously condemned, the January fuel Coming at a time when the radical Development Community (SADC) only price hike flushed ordinary Zimbabweans militaristic element within Zanu PF was endorsed the result of the elections with down the drain of penury. positioning itself to take over power by significant reservations that include lack whatever means, the declaration of media freedom and a ZEC that does not Exchange rate movements and prophetically pointed to the contemporary inspire confidence. differentials, most recently marked by the times in which the resolve to thrive on introduction of the RTGS dollar as the partial political economy reforms has been With Mnangagwa’s ultra slim presidential country’s new currency, have not helped strengthened. victory only being affirmed by the matters. Where Zimbabweans may have Constitutional Court and as the MDC continued to entertain the thought that This is an unfortunate scenario of a Alliance candidate, Nelson Chamisa sticks they had bank balances in United States revolution avoided rather than a revolution to the position that he was robbed of dollars, they woke up to a February executed. And Zimbabwe desperately victory; the legitimacy question is monetary policy announcement in which needs a transitional authority that will help looming large. their monetary value was washed away at set the stage for comprehensive, the stroke of a pen. democratic reforms that set the stage Post-election violence in which Zimbabwe economic recovery and genuinely free and National Army soldiers shot and killed six As has been reported by the Zimbabwe fair elections. civilians as ZEC delayed the announcement Independent, a privately controlled weekly, of presidential election results did not help the country’s annual inflation almost An all-stakeholder national dialogue that matters. Indeed, disproportionate state doubled from 31,01 % in November 2017 leads to the establishment of such a violence against unarmed civilians to 56,9 % in January 2019. Winding fuel transitional authority needs to commence continued to be perpetrated in ways that queues have resurfaced. Purchasing power as a matter of urgency. surpass cases of brutality during the has been eroded as salaries and wages have Mugabe era. gone down four times in actual terms. Earnest Mudzengi is with the Media Centre in Harare. He can be contacted at: As independent civic groups have reported, Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) that was [email protected] up to 14 lives were lost when armed much hyped when Mnangagwa took over

34 MARCH 2019 Let’s tackle the root cause those calling for it probably is poignant. By Darlington Tshuma misunderstand our crisis or simply want a ‘quick fix’ to a complex problem. However, this is not to suggest that GNUs Although not necessarily a new trend in are of no significance. There are positives political practice, Governments of There is no denying that Zimbabwe is in that the GNU in Zimbabwe brought and National Unity (GNUs) seem to have a deep socio-economic and political crisis to dismiss these would be dishonest. For gained popularity in the recent past, that makes national dialogue both urgent example, it stopped the mass killing of consequently becoming a preferred and desirable. However, what remains opposition supporters although incidents method of resolving electoral and political contentious are silent questions around of sporadic political violence, land disputes in Africa. the proposed solution. For example; do grabbing and intimidation of opposition we attempt another GNU and if so at supporters continued even during the African diplomats, regional bodies and what cost? GNU. It also stabilised the economy and in some instances international actors arrested a runaway inflation. like the African Union (AU) and the With the exception of South Africa’s United Nations (UN), have been interim government that ushered a new However, political tensions carried over instrumental in establishing or democracy in the country, most GNUs from the pre-2008 period continued to encouraging the formation of GNUs or emerged following electoral disputes threaten and have a negative impact on similar mechanisms in countries like between political contenders. This was the economy. Accusations of deliberate Zimbabwe, Ivory Coast, Kenya, Liberia, the case in Kenya involving a disputed sabotage were constantly raised in public South Africa and Zanzibar to mention election between: meetings and parliamentary debates by a few. political parties attempting to build strong Mwai Kibaki’s Party of National Unity support bases ahead of a crunch election However; the efficacy of these (PNU) and Raila Odinga’s Orange in 2013. arrangements have not been a subject of Democratic Movement (ODM) in 2007 debate and research, hence very little and in 2008. The GNU was criticized for failing to theoretical and empirical evidence seems resolve power imbalances. For example, to suggest that GNUs are effective Robert Mugabe’s Zimbabwe African there are claims that power was not evenly and sustainable. National Union – Patriotic Front (Zanu distributed; with Zanu PF retaining all PF) and the two Movement for important security portfolios while the Perhaps we should be asking the question: Democratic Change formations (MDCs), MDC was given less important and less can a GNU transform Zimbabwe’s crisis? led by the late Morgan Tsvangirai and influential ministries. This arrangement Arthur Mutambara. frustrated security sector reforms that I attempt to unpack this important were key to GNU negotiations. question in two parts. First; I provide a From a pragmatic perspective, GNUs are context of GNUs and the various temporary ‘compromise governments’ The GNU also retained Mugabe as circumstances that led or lead to their formed between opposing parties president despite losing the election. This formation. This is important because it following an electoral dispute. From a gave Mugabe the leeway to make enables us to critically engage the efficacy conflict transformation angle; GNUs are unilateral decisions, sometimes without of GNUs by asking important questions power-sharing mechanisms created to consulting his principal in complete relating to the crisis in Zimbabwe. end hostilities between disputants and to violation of the Global Political pave way for unity and stability in the Agreement (GPA). Second, I argue that while national hope of achieving positive peace. dialogue is important, it must not coalesce Having highlighted some contentious around the idea of a GNU. I support this However, the reality is that they achieve issues involving GNUs, I now turn to the position by arguing that a GNU will not none of this. In this regard, the question I posed earlier; can a GNU be a panacea to our crisis and as such, experiences of both Zimbabwe and Kenya transform Zimbabwe’s crisis? The answer

MARCH 2019 35 is a big NO. To create a context for my Zimbabwe tackled corruption and accredited election observer teams from argument, I draw on few but key lessons governance malpractice. Instead it over 40 countries including those from history. morphed into a power contestation previously banned by Mugabe. Whether where focus was on sharing political this was a PR stunt or not, bottom line While Zimbabwe’s crisis is multifaceted, spoils and not political and social is it worked to his advantage. there is no denying that the crisis is first transformation of the state structure that and foremost political. The nature of our bred the crisis. The international goodwill that carried crisis makes political reform a priority Mnangagwa through the elections saw and any arrangement that fails to address By way of conclusion, I share some him receive less condemnation for the this aspect is tantamount to rearranging reasons why a GNU will be a hard sell post-election violence that claimed six decks in a sinking ship. even to the most sympathetic and lives and injured dozens. Although moderate interlocutors. First, the Chamisa contested the election result In both Kenya and Zimbabwe, GNU circumstances that led to the GNU in citing electoral irregularities and rigging negotiations failed to adequately address 2008 are at variance with the situation claims, he had a few sympathisers; more the power and leadership questions obtaining in the country today. so after regional election observers (political question). In a classic case of First, the June 2008 election in which rubber stamped and endorsed the ‘change without change’, the Mugabe controversially declared himself election as ‘free and fair’. negotiations in Zimbabwe retained an winner contravened regional and election loser as president. There is no international best practice on elections Lastly, the political climate leading to reason to believe Nelson Chamisa’s and governance. the elections in July 2018 was relatively claims of having won the election in July stable. Opposition parties were for the 2018 would alter this trend even if a Tsvangirai’s pullout (from the first time ‘allowed’ to campaign even in GNU were called for. presidential runoff election), solidified known Zanu PF strongholds. This was this claim. However, in the just ended the opposite in 2008 when scores of Related to the first point is the criticism election pitting (President) Emmerson opposition supporters were either that GNUs have a tendency to reconcile Mnangagwa against Chamisa, the latter maimed, raped, abducted or simply political elites while leaving the masses did not only participate, but various murdered in broad daylight. divided. The point here is that Zimbabwe international and regional election does not need a GNU but a complete observer teams applauded both parties Human rights abuses attracted overhaul and restructuring of a system for holding what they deemed to have international condemnation forcing that breeds violence, intolerance, been a ‘peaceful election campaign Mugabe to negotiate with the opposition corruption and mismanagement. in decades’. to save both his reputation and that of his party. In contrast, SADC and AU’s Chances that a GNU can undo these This was of course in comparison to past deafening silence over human rights vices are close to none. There is also no election campaigns enveloped in fear abuses in recent weeks seem to have evidence to the effect that the GNU in and uncertainty. In addition, Mnangagwa convinced Mnangagwa and Zanu PF that they can get away with human rights abuses and face no consequences for their actions.

In the meantime, ongoing human rights abuses continue to invoke sad memories of past human rights abuses like Gukurahundi, Murambatsvina and the bloody elections of 2002/8.

Darlington Tshuma is a PhD Candidate in the Peacebuilding Programme at Durban University of Technology, South Africa. He is a graduate of the Durban Transformational Leadership Programme and a Regional Analyst with Political Economy Southern Africa (PESA). Email: [email protected]

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