The power sharing deal signed by Zimbabwe’s political leaders has generally been greeted with cautious optimism, with most groups adopting a wait and see’ approach to how the agreement will work in practice.
NANGO however told Newsreel on Tuesday the deal is not a cause for celebration,’ with some groups saying they will not recognise the new government. NANGO’s Fambai Ngirande said the deal is paving the way for Kenyan style government and not the transitional authority NGOs and civil society had demanded. He also argued that the agreement does not take into account the numerous calls made by civil society for transitional justice, and argued that a culture of impunity is already happening’ in Zimbabwe.
NANGO and the broader Zimbabwean Civil society, including the Human Rights NGO Forum, last week listed a set of demands for a transitional justice process – including no impunity for crimes against humanity, torture and gender based violence. The groups argued this was a crucial remedy to human rights abuses committed under Robert Mugabe’s leadership.
NGOs have also made repeated calls for Civil Society to play a participatory role in Zimbabwe’s government, including being involved in vital structural reforms and policy decisions. Ngirande explained the new agreement still limits the participation of civil society, with the deal reading that participation would be invited if the political parties deem it necessary.’ Ngirande said the situation is preposterous,’ and indicative that a flawed process is leading to a flawed outcome.’ He agreed that a wait and see’ approach is necessary, but argued that without positive structural reform’ there cannot be a positive outcome.
 SWRadio Africa