EDITOR Chenjerai, you were absolutely right when you said going back to Zimbabwe is very risky for some of us, but someone has got to fight the struggle to usher in the Zimbabwe we all dream about. We currently feel well protected by laws and institutions of other countries like England and Australia, but I continue to live in the shame that we cannot re-build our own country. However, Chenjerai is wrong to expect Tsvangirai to guarantee the safety of those who return. We know what limited power the Prime Minister has in this marriage of convenience. The real challenge for Tsvangirai in this government is what he will do with the little power he has.
The current inclusive government presents opportunities for the MDC to engage in dialogue with Zanu (PF) about the countrys challenges and solutions. MDC must be able to articulate both very well. Mugabe will struggle if he fails to provide solutions to the countrys problems. The position of the MDC will be compromised by continued participation in the inclusive government if solutions do not result in the country getting better.
At the moment, it is worrying that the MDC agenda has been thwarted by participating in the inclusive government. It is worrying because no one knows if the GNU will live to implement its resolutions. Chenjerai is also right in reminding the Prime Minister that it is still not safe to return to Zimbabwe. Some of us have close relatives who have disappeared” and are still unaccounted for and we remain adamant that this current government must ensure that someone is arrested for illegal abductions, torture and imprisonment of innocent citizens. But we are well aware that the way forward requires us to forgive, compromise and embrace each other.
That includes welcoming Zanu (PF) when it has ideas that move the nation forward. The land issue is a case in point. The MDC has have not clearly articulated how they intend to move forward while acknowledging the complexity of our history and current ambitions of self-determination. The Reserve bank governorship is another. Gono should not be the issue; the framework in which he operates must be changed to ensure that it is more transparent, accountable to parliament and the people of Zimbabwe. Gono has always been accountable to someone and that has been Mugabe and a few in his party. This needs to be changed to move the nation forward.
Current negotiations must focus on the holistic picture of how resolutions can be implemented. I propose that they must work towards implementing the agreed 15 resolutions before they negotiate any further. The implementation time on these agreed resolutions offers the parties an opportunity to build trust and transparency.
MDC needs to change the mentality of ridiculing Mugabe and wanting to dine with him at the same time. He is a player they need at the GNU table to help re-brand Zimbabwe. ANON., by e-mail
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