Maravi

MDC demands constitutional amendment

MDC demands constitutional amendment
Written by George Chellah in Harare, Zimbabwe
Sunday, November 16, 2008 9:11:33 PM

THE opposition MDC has resolved that it will only participate in a new government once Constitutional Amendment number 19 has been passed and effected into law.
The Constitutional Amendment number 19 would give legal force to the new portfolios of the Prime Minister and his two deputies, and any other changes that will come with the inclusive government.

According to the communiqué issued on Friday evening, the seventh MDC National Council, which met in Harare expressed acknowledgement for the role and efforts of SADC and the AU in finding solutions to the crisis in Zimbabwe.

"The MDC rejects the Organ Troika's resolution and Communiqué of 28 October, 2008 seeking to erroneously reduce the sticking points to only the Ministry of Home Affairs. The SADC "ruling" and communiqué of the 9th of November 2008 on the basis that the same was unprocedurally arrived at in that Robert Mugabe, an interested party, sat in during deliberations in total defiance of the SADC chairman's ruling that the three Zimbabwean parties recuse themselves," read the communiqué in part. "The Communiqués of the 28th of October and 9th of November ignored the other five outstanding issues, in particular, the principle of equity and the fact that a new government cannot be formed without Constitutional Amendment No. 19 and all other issues remain outstanding.

"Given the lack of sincerity and lack of paradigm shift on the part of ZANU-PF, the MDC shall participate in a new government once Constitutional Amendment No. 19 has been passed and effected into law."

The MDC has implored SADC and the AU as underwriters and guarantors of the agreement to step in and ensure a successful conclusion and finality to the current breakdown.

"The national council notes that there was a sham election on the 27th of June 2008 and therefore neither Robert Mugabe nor ZANU-PF have the legitimacy of forming any government or running this country in the absence of the consummation of the GPA, the enactment of Constitutional Amendment No. 19 and the resolution of all other outstanding issues. In addition, the SADC resolution of the 9th of November does not bestow any right on Robert Mugabe or ZANU-PF of forming any government or inviting any party to joining that government," the communiqué stated.

"The longer that this crisis remains outstanding, then the obligation [is] on SADC, AU and the people of Zimbabwe that a transitional authority be instituted pending the enactment of a new people-driven constitution and the holding of elections under African and international supervision. In the event of an illegitimate government being unilaterally formed, the MDC will not be party to the same and will peacefully, constitutionally and democratically mobilise and campaign against the illegitimate government."

The MDC also raised concern on the current humanitarian crisis facing the country.
"The humanitarian crisis has to be urgently attended and that ZANU-PF and its interim authority must ensure free, unfettered availability and access of food aid and more importantly the international community must exercise its obligation of Responsibility to Protect under the United Nations," it stated.

"The MDC submits itself before God and reaffirms its commitment to the present dialogue and more importantly reaffirms its commitment to achieving democratization in Zimbabwe through constitutional, peaceful non-violent and democratic means."

The MDC further resolved that the Zimbabwean Parliament be convened as a matter of urgency to carry out its normal business of overseeing the Executive.

MDC president Morgan Tsvangirai did not attend the meeting that was chaired by the party Vice-President Thokozani Khupe.

Later, Khupe informed journalists that Tsvangirai was out of the country consulting regional leaders.

Labels: MDC

posted by MrK @ 9:13 PM