UMD Statement : On the National Dialogue call by President Mnangangwa
The United Movement Devolution (UMD) welcomes the clarion call by the President of the Republic for a National Dialogue comprising of key stakeholders, to address the national crisis. Dialogue is an internationally recognised phenomenon used to resolve political disputes and disturbances of all shapes and forms. While ageed that national dialogue is inevitable, however, l remain skeptical about the sincerity of President Mnangangwa and his party.
The on going ZANU PF internal political discord and the anti-dialogue tone in their camp support, claims of my skepticism and insincerity on this national dialogue hullabaloo. What further complicate the entire process, is the fact that the Government and ZANU PF are on denial mode and never acknowledged that people have genuine concerns.
We acknowledge that the application of dialogue in many instances have resolved conflicts, ended wars and created political and economic agreements. In essence dialogue could be used as a tool to resolve Zimbabwe’s man-made political and economic national crises. However , it is critical at this juncture to interrogate the nature, form and objectives of the so-called national dialogue. Further, it must be remembered that ZANU PF has a history of dishonesty and can never be trusted at face value. Therefore, stakeholders are warned to proceed with caution as ZANU PF has a history of negotiating in bad faith as evident during Unity Accord of 1987 and GNU of 2009 whose terms of agreement in both instances favoured them.
Firstly, we need to interrogate and appreciate the history of the past national dialogues undertaken and the consequences thereof. Secondly, we need to insist on the transparency and clarity on the methodology from the incumbent government and facilitators of the proposed dialogue. Thirdly, stakeholders must, from the outset put key reform agenda items on the dialogue platform.
Top on the agenda should be the alignment of the 2013 new constitution of Zimbabwe and the subsequent implementation of the provisions of the constitution such as Devolution. The national dialogue should endeavour to address the ever declining political and economic situation in the country which has brought hardships and misery to ordinary citizens. It is prudent to note that the current economic policies pursued by the ZANU PF Regime are a threat to national security, stability and progress currently enjoyed by ordinary Zimbabweans.
The reckless and catastrophic leadership policy decisions are mostly anti-people and designed to further enrich the rich and the corporate world. For instance, the recent announcement by the Presidency on the increase of the fuel pump price shows that the Mnangangwa Regime doesn’t care about the welfare of the masses of this country.
Accordingly, a short term economic recovery strategy must be quickly adopted and implemented in order to cushion the working class, unemployed and general masses. The role of the security forces in maintaining peace, in particular, the militarisation of our government institutions need to be curtailed. In other words, the military forces must be ordered to return to the military barracks and let the Republic police do their constitutional mandate, to police the streets.
Also, the national dialogue must urgently tackle the issues of electoral reforms, good governance, legitimancy, corruption, human rights, rule of law and respect for property rights. If the national dialogue is to succeed, the principle of equality and geographical balance of stakeholders must be embraced. The national dialogue must guard against focusing on political parties’ interests, personalities and power contestation as that will seriously undermine the agenda of the dialogue. At all times, people must come first, therefore the resolution of their problems must occupy a central place in the proposed national dialogue.
AMANDLA EBANTWINI!
POWER TO THE PEOPLE!
Hon Lovemore Moyo
UMD President