Message from Arthur G.O. Mutambara

ight as a nation, and deliver change.
The democratic forces in Zimbabwe must take stock of the effectiveness of their efforts in 2006.
It must be understood that there is absolutely no alternative to working together. Self-serving bickering and infighting must be shunned. All political leaders must put national interest before self interest.
The two MDC factions have neither monopoly of political wisdom nor the immutable right to represent the people of Zimbabwe. In 2007 they must quickly achieve a framework of effective cooperation. If they do not accomplish this as a matter of urgency, the people of Zimbabwe must reject them completely and develop alternatives. In 2007, it is shape up or ship out.
The people of Zimbabwe must not brook any nonsense that serves the interest of the dictatorship of Robert Mugabe. They must not accept a dysfunctional opposition that seizes defeat from the jaws of victory.
None of the political leaders in the opposition are indispensable. Zimbabwe is not short of capable leaders. All the current leaders in the opposition can be replaced, and the struggle will continue unabated.
There is need to re-energize the core opposition supporters while inspiring and attracting non-core constituencies.
Even if reunification of the two MDC formations is achieved, it is not enough to dislodge Zanu (PF). We have to grow the democratic forces beyond the traditional MDC support base. This should be done by attracting reform-minded people from within Zanu (PF), other political parties, and those who are not currently in active party politics.
There should be enhanced cooperation with Zimbabwe civic society organizations such as NCA, Crisis Coalition, ZCTU, ZINASU, WOZA, MOZA, Women Coalition, and the churches have shown spectacular courage under vicious attacks.
The agenda should be the immediate democratization of Zimbabwe through effective, collective and direct action. The opposition has to break and destroy ZANU (PF), both as an institution and a culture, as part of our strategy to victory.
The dissension in ZANU (PF) over Mugabe’s intention to extend his misrule has presented a unique opportunity to build a national consensus for change. But the opposition forces should not base their strategy solely on this aspect. We cannot pin our hopes on 10 ZANU (PF) MPs rebelling in Parliament to support the 41 MDC MPs.
The fight has to be broader than participating in ZANU (PF) institutions. In 2007 we will take the struggle to the streets, villages, valleys, and jails of Zimbabwe. We believe that the ideal framework for our struggle in Zimbabwe is that we should fight for a people-driven democratic constitution before any future elections, followed by an internationally supervised national plebiscite.
We will not respect any unjust and criminal laws. We will not allow the dictatorship to prescribe to us how we should fight it. We will set the agenda and determine the arena and instruments of combat. The opposition must now lead from the front, by setting the agenda, and not merely responding to ZANU (PF) projects. In addition to participating in electoral and institutional processes we will embrace all forms of democratic resistance.
It is imperative for us to clearly understand the current flawed and uneven electoral processes. The issue for us is to clearly establish how they are abused and manipulated, and thus develop anti-rigging mechanisms.
In addition, we need to carry out comprehensive voter education and registration, protect and guarantee secrecy of the vote, train effective polling agents, and establish functioning party structures throughout the country. The challenge should be; how do we make the flawed electoral processes and institutions work for us?
One of the rigging opportunities for the regime lies in manipulating the unspent vote and the narrow margins of opposition victory in some constituencies. Thus our challenge is to ensure that there is 70% voter turnout throughout the country and that 80% of those votes are against the regime.
The Struggle Continues Unabated. Defeat is not on the agenda & Victory is certain.