Zimbabwe resumed a convention on 14 July 2009 aimed to draw a new constitution which will replace one inked in 1979 before independence from Britain. The convention which started on 13 July 2009 was put to halt due to clashes between rival political parties that exposed tensions within a new unity government.According to reports by Reuters Africa, Zimbabweans hope a new charter, replacing the current one, will strengthen the role of parliament and curtail the president’s powers, as well as guaranteeing civil, political and media freedoms.
The convention will select teams which will go around the country for the next four months to solicit views and ideas that will form the basis for the new constitution.
The process will lead to the adoption of a new national constitution and fresh elections after the next two years.
Both unity government leaders President Robert Mugabe and Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai condemned the chaos that lead to the police breaking in to stop clashes between delegates.
In a fresh start the convention resumed under strict police surveillance. Both Mugabe and Tsvangirai bemoaned clashes between political rivals and urged that the convention resumes and forges ahead to draw a new constitution.
Post published in: Politics