Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition’s findings are contained in a comprehensive, 31 page report titled The Military Factor in Zimbabwe’s Political and Electoral Affairs published in June 2011.
According to recently released wikileaks files, two army generals – Major-General Fidelis Satuku and Brigadier-General Herbert Chingono, during meetings with US ambassador to Zimbabwe Charles Ray on January 5 and 6, 2010, described Zimbabwe Defence Forces Commander General Constantine Chiwenga as a “political general” who lacked the necessary military expertise or experience.
The veracity of the wikileaks cables has been questioned while the US government has not confirmed that the cables are authentic. However, the statements attributed to the two generals are in line with Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition’s own research findings that the leadership of the military is extremely politicized and partisan towards Zanu (PF). The research further established that the partisan nature of the military is largely responsible for blocking Zimbabwe’s democratic political transition.
As evidence of direct military interference in electoral affairs through the utterance of partisan public statements, General Chiwenga in March 2008 signalled his readiness to set aside the constitution should Zanu (PF) candidate Robert Mugabe be defeated at the polls. General Chiwenga further described Mugabe’s opponent, Morgan Tsvangirai as an agent of the west and vowed to instruct the military not to take orders from him.
With such a calibre of military leaders, in the absence of far-reaching, credible reforms, it will be difficult to create an environment in Zimbabwe conducive to the holding of free and fair elections. The central pillar of electoral and democratic reforms therefore, beyond crafting a new constitution and other legislative reforms, is how Zimbabwe’s current inclusive government can re-align the military and transform it into a genuinely national and professional institution.
While national, regional and international focus is on the new constitution, I wish to caution that focus should be on putting in place mechanisms to completely separate the military from political and electoral affairs and ensuring that state security agents are not used as instruments of violence and intimidation who campaign for Zanu (PF) or any other political interest ahead of elections.
A new constitution, therefore, while it may very well be presented as a major step towards democratization, is not the key to free and fair elections.
Practical measures to transform the military into a professional outfit loyal to the constitution and the people of Zimbabwe in a non-partisan manner obviously include steps to retire and replace the current political leadership of the military that has blatantly demonstrated partisanship towards Zanu (PF).
Political leaders should not make the mistake of celebrating piece-meal, sideshow reforms that do not significantly alter the political terrain, while leaving the critical matter of security sector re-alignment untouched.
In developing the elections roadmap with SADC’s assistance, the big issue that must feature prominently is how to deal with political generals who view themselves as active political players.
Post published in: News