A SADC-mediated process that culminated in the signing of the Global Political Agreement stipulates that Zimbabwe should have a new constitution and institute fundamental reforms before elections can be held.
South African President, Jacob Zuma, is the SADC point man in the mediation.
There is, however, a cold war between Zuma and the President Robert Mugabe-led Zanu (PF). Mugabe has warned that in the event the parties in the Government of National Unity fail to break the impasse on the new constitution, he would unilaterally declare elections.
Political analysts have pointed out that Zimbabwe risks being isolated from the SADC community if Mugabe moves forward to hold elections without implementing political reforms.
However, Gumbo wore a brave face in an interview with The Zimbabwean, saying there was “nothing to worry about” in the event his party moved ahead with its plans.
“What isolation? We have been isolated for years and we have survived. So there is no isolation to worry about,” said Gumbo.
He dismissed as “just opinion” threats of regional isolation in the event that Zanu (PF) refused to toe the SADC line. Gumbo said SADC could “not isolate Zimbabweans for exercising their right to hold elections”.
“It is our right to call for elections in Zimbabwe. They (SADC) can’t say no to elections. The President will be dissolving Parliament soon and we will be going for elections and that is it,” said Gumbo.
At a summit held in Tanzania in December last year, SADC reiterated that Zimbabwe should implement political reforms before the country goes to the polls.
Gumbo said parties in the GNU had failed to find common ground regarding the issue of a new constitution, hence his party’s push for elections under the old charter.
“We are saying if we are not able to agree on the new constitution then let us use the old one and go for elections,” said Gumbo.
MDC-T spokesperson, Douglas Mwonzora, said Gumbo’s statements were impossible.
“That will never happen and will not be accepted. The people spoke and a draft constitution was produced but it is after that draft constitution was produced that Zanu (PF) started making outrageous and impossible demands,” said Mwonzora.
Political analyst, John Makumbe, dismissed Gumbo’s sentiments and said elections without reforms have serious implications for Zimbabwe.
“That will not be acceptable to other political parties and it will not be acceptable to SADC and the AU. We are very likely to have a disputed election result because other political parties are much more unlikely to accept the results,” said Makumbe.
However, another political analyst, Charity Manyeruke said: “The draft constitution under the GPA is not mandatory. Remember it has to go for a referendum and can be rejected by the people of Zimbabwe. So there is no vacuum in terms of the constitution.”
Post published in: News