Heads of over 43 civic groups meeting in Harare Tuesday resolved to reject the planned government of national unity (GNU) between Zanu (PF) and the MDC saying any power sharing arrangement would not resolve the current crisis.Leaders of civic society told a news conference that, guided by the People’s Charter, a document outlining the Zimbabwe they want, they had resolved to protest against any power sharing arrangement between the MDC and Zanu (PF).We believe that a transitional government would provide an appropriate vehicle for ushering in democratic reform, National Constitutional Assembly chairman, Dr Lovemore Madhuku told reporters. The transitional authority would have a specific, limited mandate to oversee the drafting of a new, democratic and people-driven constitution and the installation of a legitimate government. We wholeheartedly reject the suggestion of a power-sharing agreement that fails to immediately address the inadequacy of the current constitutional regime.MDC and Zanu (PF) negotiators have been meeting in South Africa to negotiate a GNU under the facilitation of South African President Thabo Mbeki. Nothing has yet materialised from the talks about talks because of hardline position and conditions imposed by both teams. Madhuku, who was flanked by ZINASU president Clever Bere, Rita Nyamupinga of Women’s Coalition, Munyaradzi Gwisai of the International Socialist Organization and John Chitekuteku, said the GNU would be rejected by Zimbabweans and said only a transitional authority broadly representative of Zimbabwean society would be acceptable as the only way foward. The caretaker government would be mandated with holding a free and fresh presidential election within 18 months. He added that it should have a specific and limited mandate and should also restore good governance in the interim.Meanwhile the Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR) has issued a statement supporting this opposition. In light of the prevailing political, social and economic climate which continues to deteriorate by the day, ZLHR supports the call for a negotiated settlement establishing a transitional authority, which will be time-bound, and which will exist for a period not exceeding 18 months, the lawyers said. The leading human rights lawyers said the transitional authority should address during its existence; through inclusive, people-oriented and people-driven, rather than elite processes; the key issues of constitutional reform, reform of state institutions including the Zimbabwe Republic Police, the Zimbabwe National Army, the Zimbabwe Prison Service, the Judiciary, the Attorney-General’s office, the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission, the Registrar-General’s office, the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe, the Zimbabwe Media Commission and the Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission.The lawyers added that the transitional authority should also be mandated with the alleviation of the deepening economic and humanitarian crises.
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