The Vigil would have hoped Morgan Tsvangirai and Welshman Ncube, left kicking their heels at State House for three hours on Friday, would have at least ‘chatted the way forward’ (a useful neologism introduced some time back in a Zimbabwean newspaper). But it would appear that their mutual antipathy is greater than their desire to get rid of Mugabe and we doubt that they had much to say to each other while waiting vainly for Mugabe to pitch up for a crucial meeting.
What the Vigil would have liked to see from Tsvangirai and Ncube is a decision to present an ultimatum to Zanu (PF) and SADC: no reforms, no elections. This was the theme of the latest round of monthly diaspora protests at which the Vigil was joined outside the Embassy by MDC members, as well as ROHR and Zimbabwe We Can supporters.
Their signatures quickly filled the pages of our newly-launched petition: ‘Zimbabweans in the diaspora and supporters call on political parties at home not to take part in the forthcoming elections unless Zanu (PF) implements the reforms demanded by the Southern African Development Community (SADC) at its summit in Maputo on 15th June 2013. We believe that, unless these reforms are made, the results of the elections will not be credible’.
Job Sikhala, leader of MDC-99, has already announced his party will boycott the elections, which he described as ‘a charade’. Indeed, all signs are that there will be no reforms to level the playing field. Justice Minister Chinamasa said: “As Zanu (PF) we are contesting the idea that there is any need for reforms”. He insisted he would only implement what the parties had agreed on, adding: “If we do not agree then there is nothing to implement; until we agree on a particular reform then there is nothing to reform”.
Given this logic, the Vigil believes that, unless SADC puts some muscle behind its Maputo recommendations, the MDC should not lend the elections any credibility by taking part.
FOR THE RECORD: 71 signed the register.
Post published in: Africa News