Robert Mugabe’s party met for a marathon session this week as part of its deliberations on whether or not to accept the draft charter, released late last month. The party has still not given its official position, saying it wants key amendments in the draft before it can accept it.
The two MDC parties in government meanwhile have been quick to endorse the draft constitution, despite intense criticism of the document. Analysts and civil society groups have all said the draft charter is a ‘flawed’ product of political negotiation that does not reflect the people’s views.
ZANU PF has said it is confident that the MDC will renegotiate, despite both MDC’s saying that the draft is final.
But political analyst Clifford Mashiri said this week that this a good opportunity for the MDC parties to take on board the criticism by civic groups and others, and propose redoing the document.
“Rather than waste valuable time and stationery preparing guides to a flawed constitution and engaging in spin, the MDC formations should admit failure in their negotiations for a new constitution and go back to the drawing board,” Mashiri said.
He added: “The MDC formations should stop wasting time engaging in the blame game and seize the opportunity to amend their own mistakes which caused an outrage.”
He meanwhile said that critical issues like security sector reform and media reform should still take priority in the run up to any election, and said the MDC formations should be leading the way in ensuring these reforms take place. – SW Radio Africa News
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