A Constitution-based TWO PHASE RESISTANCE PLAN to force the ZANU PF government to resign

Pastor Evan Mawarire

Zimbabwean political parties should learn from the recent demonstrations held by democratic forces in Kenya against Independent Electoral Boundaries Commission (IEBC) under the guidance of Raila Odinga. They held demonstrations every Monday of each week for one month, when the government refused to accept their call, Mr. Odinga and Team increased the number of days for demonstrations to two days per week. The president of Kenya eventually accepted dialogue with the opposition and IEBC is already on its way out.

We need opposition parties in Zimbabwe to think and strategies before calling for demonstrations. ZANU PF is definitely not shaken by these demonstrations being held on weekends.

The support given by ordinary Zimbabweans to Pastor Evan Mawarire’s #ThisFlag campaign and the Tajamuka movement has clearly demonstrated that the citizens of Zimbabwe are fed up with the ZANU PF government. The single challenge facing the ‘Anti-ZANU PF Push’ is the lack of strong leadership capable of providing guidance to disgruntled Zimbabweans.

This article proposes a TWO PHASE RESISTANCE PLAN that is likely to exert pressure on the ZANU PF government to resign. Now is the time for Zimbabweans to unite in their diversity. ‘Unity in diversity’ means that War Veterans, Mthwakazi political parties (Tsvangirai, Mujuru, Makoni, Biti, Ncube, Madhuku etc.), churches,Tajamuka, Evan Mawarire and all the people of Zimbabwe suffering under the ZANU PF government should converge and discuss the way forward for the future of Zimbabwe.

I support the unity between Tsvangirai and Mujuru but they should also involve Ncube, Biti, Mangoma, Madhuku and all other political parties in Zimbabwe.

To avoid friction – especially between the political parties – the revolution should develop in two phases. The first phase is apolitical and its single purpose is to unite the opponents of the ZANU PF government. The second phase will be directed towards a coalition of political parties and will be heavily dependent on the success of first phase.

First phase resistance

The first phase resistance will have four objectives:

• To unite Zimbabwean people in ‘their diversity’ with the single aim of using constitutional means to confront the ZANU PF government.
• To force the ZANU PF government (through well organized peaceful ‘stayaways’ and demonstrations) to resign before the end of 2016.
• To ensure that a Transitional Government Authority (TGA) is on standby.
• To terminate the current Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) and initiate electoral reforms.

This phase should include all Zimbabweans and party politics should be suspended for a time in order to accommodate our philosophical diversities. Issues related to political differences and forming a united coalition should be suspended till we reach the phase two.

Why Is The First Phase Resistance Important?

• It is apolitical and reduces power struggles between and among political parties
• It unites all enemies of ZANU PF in their diversity
• The struggle is owned by disgruntled citizens and not political parities
• It is a bottom up approach to the struggle

Second phase resistance

This is the phase that should be dominated by political parties with the intention of placing Zimbabwe under the leadership of a Transitional Government Authority (TGA). Political parties may or may not choose to enter into a coalition.

Even if the political parties may encounter conflicts in second phase, the squabbles won’t be a threat because key objectives of first phase will have been achieved.

Who will mobilize Zimbabweans for the first phase?

I suggest that groups such as Zimbabwe Vendors Association, Tajamuka, Churches, WOZA, War Veterans, Mthwakazi, Harare Residence’ Association, ZUNDE and all non aligned political movements should develop strategies with the aim of bringing together all opposition parties in Zimbabwe. ZUNDE has already publicly declared its aim of uniting all Zimbabweans against the ZANU PF regime and should be able to officially call the above mentioned forces for a meeting.

It is also interesting to note that, Mr. Biti and other political parties have already expressed their interests in supporting the social movement and we are waiting for them to walk the talk.

Modalities of the resistance

The constitution of Zimbabwe guarantees citizens the right to demonstrate and public protests must be non-violent. Zimbabweans will adopt the strategies in phase one.

Probability of Success

The probability of success should be high because:

• All opponents of ZANU PF will be coming together.
• Phase one of the struggle is capable of neutralizing political differences.
• The struggle has only one enemy – the ZANU PF Government.
• Political parties will be encouraged to consider forming a coalition in phase two.
• The civil servants are not well disposed towards the ZANU PF government because their salaries are not paid on time.
• The introduction of bond notes will definitely pour fuel on the fire of resistance.
• The Constitution of Zimbabwe allows citizens to demonstrate.
• The cross borders are angry.
• The MDC-T has strong structures.
• Zimbabwe PF has a huge following among disgruntled ZANU PF supporters.
• The President fears the war veterans.
• ZUNDE, Tajamuka and the Zimbabwe Vendors Association are ready to give guidance in uniting Zimbabweans in phase one.

Conclusion

If Zimbabweans are united in their diversity, that would be game over for ZANU PF regime. ZUNDE, Tajamuka and Zimbabwe Vendors Association should come out now to give leadership and guidance.

Silas Memory Madondo is a lecturer and a Mixed Methods Researcher and can be conducted via silasethan@gmail.com