Mugabe says no to new constitution ahead of elections

By Tererai Karimakwenda
May 30, 2007

In an exclusive interview with a London-based magazine Robert Mugabe is reported to have strongly rejected demands for a new constitution that were made by the opposition parties ahead of next year's joint presidential and parliamentary elections. Both factions of the Movement For Democratic Change have informed the mediation team of South Africa’s president Thabo Mbeki that they will not participate in the 2008 elections under the current constitution. But Mugabe has refused to meet these demands saying the opposition parties have no mandate because they voted against a government draft version back in 2000. This stumbling block could bring an end to negotiations being brokered by Mbeki, who was appointed key mediator last month by the SADC heads of state, tasked with bringing about free and fair elections in Zimbabwe.
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Nelson Chamisa, spokesperson for the Tsvangirai MDC, said Mugabe is just looking for excuses because he knows very well Zimbabwe needs a new constitution. He added that Mugabe is against the idea because it would provides some checks and balances. Chamisa stressed that the need for a new constitution is “a national demand, a national chorus and a national sentiment.”
Mugabe said a fresh constitution cannot be written between now and March because there is not enough time. He is quoted saying: “The opposition must have a mandate from the people for that to happen. They are a minority party and they cannot call the tune." Chamisa dismissed this saying Mugabe is hiding behind time. He explained: “Time is not of the essence right now. All we need is the political will to drive the country forward to make sure there is a national resolution of the crisis.”

Many critics believe Mugabe is already planning how to rig the coming elections. They point to the ongoing arrests and assaults on opposition officials and supporters as proof, and the police raid on the MDC headquarters in Harare last week. The Mugabe regime has also announced it will be beefing up the police force and opening new training centers for the youth militia. Graduates from these centres have been used to intimidate and assault opposition officials and supporters in past elections.