The task force chosen by UK based Zimbabwean organisations, to lead the facilitation of the new Zimbabwe constitution consultation process will be holding an all stakeholders meeting at 2:30pm, Saturday 30th January at Durning Hall, Earlham Grove Forest Gate, London E7 9AB.All chairpersons or the top representatives of organisations that have signed up to the Forest Gate Agreement and chairpersons (or the top representative) of other Zimbabwean organisations that have the interests of Zimbabwe at heart, are invited.
This task force, so chosen and mandated through the Forest Gate Agreement (FGA) of 24th October 2009, has been performing preparatory work for the consultations in the UK. This meeting is important to ensure that the process in the UK is smooth.
The task force will also be launching the website (www.zimcc.com) this week to provide a platform for Zimbabweans to make submissions, discuss constitutional issues online, get news updates and information on the outreach programmes.
While acknowledging that recent media reports may have created a confusing picture and raised concern, Zimbabweans remain eager to see a new constitution for our motherland written as soon as possible. The task force seeks to involve all Zimbabweans regardless of their political and civic affiliations.
It is also that commitment to an inclusive and non-partisan process as enshrined in the Global Political Agreement of 15th September 2008 that encourages us to continue engaging the NCA and others who may have expressed concerns about the process. Such engagement will further inform and enrich the process being rolled out in the Diaspora.
The process can only be perfected by progressive engagement. We call upon all Zimbabweans to participate in the process as it is an opportunity to help steer Zimbabwe on the course to lasting peace. It is an opportunity to replace the Lancaster House agreement and its 19 amendments with a peoples constitution.
Back-story
In 2000, Zimbabweans voted against a constitution that had been proposed by the Government, in a referendum. Zimbabwe is currently using a constitution based on the 1979 Lancaster House Agreement that gave Zimbabwe independence in 1980. The constitution has been amended a total of nineteen times, the last of which came in the middle of the political crisis in 2008 resulting in a Government of National Unity (GNU).
The current effort is part of the Global Political Agreement (GPA) provision when the two MDC formations signed a MoU with ZANU PF on 15th September 2008. One of the key commitments by the parties to the agreement was the facilitation of a new constitution after which, fresh elections would be held.
The GNU has tasked an interparty committee to undertake the consultation process. There are 17 thematic committees to which submission will be made following consultation with ordinary Zimbabweans. A referendum is proposed after the final draft. Website:www.zimcc.com
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