Maravi

VJ calls for dialogue on Zim crisis

VJ calls for dialogue on Zim crisis
By Mwala Kalaluka
Thursday June 12, 2008 [04:01]

FORMER information minister Vernon Mwaanga has asked Zimbabwean politicians to immediately swallow their pride and bite the bullet of reality for the sake of their people. And Institute for Policy Studies director Dr Gilbert Mudenda described Zimbabwe as a typical example of a post-colonial African state that had failed.

During a public discussion on the Zimbabwe Question organised by the Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD) at Chrismar Hotel on Tuesday, Mwaanga in a presentation said there were no simple solutions in sight for the political crisis in that country, which do not invite for dialogue and compromise by all internal political players.

He said the situation in Zimbabwe was a resolvable crisis, which would require imaginative and unusual solutions, devoid of pride, greed and stubbornness.

"The role international organisations such as SADC, the African Union and the United Nations assume a special significance not so much as a result of what they can do, but as a result of what they cannot do given treaty or charter limitations."
However, Mwaanga doubted the capacity of both SADC and AU to mount such an exercise less than three weeks before the presidential run-off.

"Increased monitoring and observation by SADC and the AU would have been desirable as a minimum measure to assure the campaigners from both MDC and ZANU-PF that their undemocratic and violent actions would undermine the electoral process and that it would be brought to the attention of the international community," he said.

On Zambia's role in Zimbabwe, Mwaanga said it appears to have been one of caring for a neighbour with whom she shares a common future.

"Recently, we have witnessed an escalating war of words between Zambian and Zimbabwean ministers unbecoming of good neighbours," he said. "Zambia's initiatives aimed at finding a political solution to the Zimbabwe issue have been well- intended.


If there have been any shortcomings, these relate to implementation - something which Zambian and Zimbabwean diplomats can productively address. "Morgan Tsvangirai the president of MDC has not helped the Zambian course by proposing that President Levy Mwanawasa should replace President Thabo Mbeki of South Africa as SADC mediator in Zimbabwe."

He said other sentiments that diluted Zambia's good intentions for Zimbabwe were the harsh ones used to describe that country such as that of a 'sinking Titanic'.

Asked if he would be willing to assist the Zambian government in resolving the looming diplomatic tension between it and Zimbabwe, given his immense diplomatic experience, Mwaanga said he could if called upon.

Mwaanga said the way forward for Zimbabwe was a four-pronged one through having a government of national unity, national healing, national reconciliation or national interim government.

"These are all imperfect solutions. But may be we need an imperfect formula which will avoid possible ugly consequences for Zimbabwe," Mwaanga said.

Veteran politician Akashambatwa Mbikusita-Lewanika said the British people had no credibility to talk over the Zimbabwean problems because they spoiled the discourse.
"President Thabo Mbeki has done very well given these limitations," said Mbikusita-Lewanika.

And Dr Mudenda said the political and economic meltdown in Zimbabwe was beyond comprehension.
He said the crisis in Zimbabwe was among other reasons, caused by a government that refuses to go.

"Zimbabwean ministers have lost elections but continue to be ministers," Dr Mudenda said. "It is really confusing and one wonders given this kind of situation then why did the people of Zimbabwe not vote this government out of office as Zambians did."

He also noted that the association between MDC and the settler community was tarnishing the credibility of the opposition party.
"The people of Zimbabwe have never had a government that is for the people," Dr Mudenda said. "There is a post-colonial government that was lukewarm and that was only interested in the trappings of power," he said.

Dr Mudenda said whoever wins the forthcoming runoff in Zimbabwe would be a lame duck president.
He advised the ZANU-PF to drop President Mugabe when they loose the runoff and focus on rebuilding the party for the next elections.

Labels: VERNON MWAANGA, ZIMBABWE

posted by MrK @ 4:26 AM