MDC to press ahead with demands for a new constitution

By Tichaona Sibanda
16 January 2008

In contradiction of reports of an imminent breakthrough at the South African brokered crisis talks between Zanu-PF and the MDC, the opposition insisted on Wednesday it would press ahead with its demands for the introduction of a new constitution.

Since Tuesday, most major news outlets have led with reports that there appears to be ‘real movement forward’ in talks to end the country’s political crisis and reach a deal to pave the way for elections.

President Mbeki on Tuesday briefed the visiting Irish Prime Minister Bertie Ahern on the outcome of his latest talks with the negotiating teams from both sides. Mbeki reportedly told Ahern he would, in the next few days, be engaged in some of the final aspects of the negotiations.

Even after Mbeki’s meeting with negotiators over the weekend in Pretoria there still remain a number of ‘sticking points’ that stand in the way of an agreement. A spokesman for the South African opposition Democratic Alliance party, Martin Slabbert, said what this meant was that the talks were still deadlocked and nothing of significance has happened even at the weekend talks.

‘Evidence of this is the MDC’s plan to hold a protest march next week Wednesday to demonstrate against a crumbling economy and press for a new constitution it says will guarantee free and fair elections scheduled for March. The man who has called for this protest is none other than Tendai Biti, the MDC’s chief negotiator to the crisis talks,’ said Slabbert.

Slabbert told Newsreel that since Mbeki had made a public commitment to find a lasting solution to the crisis, it was imperative for him to ensure that elections in Zimbabwe only take place after the enactment of mutually agreed constitutional amendments.

‘The people of Zimbabwe and South Africa deserve more than another false dawn. If President Mbeki’s assurances given yesterday (Tuesday) amount to mere posturing, he will be severely judged by both history and the international and local communities,’ Slabbert said.

The MDC and Zanu-PF have agreed on a new draft constitution but there is a deadlock over when it should be adopted. The MDC want it implemented before national presidential and parliamentary elections, while ZANU-PF want it after the vote.

Biti, the secretary-general of the Tsvangirai led MDC, on Wednesday briefed journalists in Harare saying they were planning a ‘freedom walk’ intended to highlight the suffering of Zimbabweans.

The MDC will also use the march to demand a new constitution before the elections. Biti said the opposition had notified the police as required by law and would meet law enforcement agents this week to discuss the protest march, which has been set for January 23rd.