NCA Position on the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding
The rival political formations, Movement for Democratic Change led by Arthur Mutambara, Morgan Tsvangirai and ZANU PF signed the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on the 21st of July at the Rainbow Towers in capital Harare.
The MoU comes after the disputed presidential runoff that Mugabe was the main and only contender after Tsvangirai who had won the first round pulled out citing the issue of violence that had claimed at that time over hundred lives.
Both the MDC and ZANU PF had earlier made pre-conditions for talks, Tsvangirai arguing that all political prisoners should be released before any meaningful talks begin whilst Mugabe saying he will only talk after MDC has recognized his legitimacy but both made a u-turn agreeing for talks even before their required demands was met.
Among others the three political formations agreed to discuss the issues around sanctions, land question, inclusive government, amending the constitution media and a new constitution and that process should be complete in a period of two weeks from the signing of MoU.
The current situation in Zimbabwe remains unabated, violence is still taking place, ZANU PF youth militia is still mounting roadblocks, and hate speech is still getting some airplay from the state controlled media, partisan security force still in operation.
The process of exclusion of the civil society and masses in elite deal making process is still going ahead and this once again lives Zimbabwe and Zimbabweans yet into another chaotic scenario similar to the one that saw the birth of 18th amendment that gave to the present scenario only 303 people to elect a president when the incumbent dies.
It is a situation surrounding the talks that drives the National Constitutional Assembly (NCA) to add its voice of concern over the ongoing mediations under President Mbeki's leadership. The NCA as a matter of principle would want to categorically reiterate that it is supportive of a negotiated settlement that expresses the people's will as shown by March 29 polls.
The NCA also agreed unanimously with other civic society leaders that Zimbabwe was in need of a leader who would be a neutral paving way for a democratic election in a period of 12 to 18 months.
However the NCA is worried by the proposal of rival parties to discuss a draft new constitution. It is the mandate of the people of Zimbabwe to write their own laws and these laws can not be made first in a foreign land and by ix people.
The NCA believes Zimbabweans should not only be drawn to participate in an election but should be drawn to participate in the constitutional making process. The NCA wants all Zimbabweans to be part of a draft constitution making process.
The betrayal by the political elites over the 18th amendment that saw the ordinary citizens being stripped of their right to chose a new leader if the incumbent dies or resign is a clear sign that politicians can not be entrusted to make decisions that affect all sundry.
It is with the knowledge of the past that the NCA wants to warn the country's political leadership that citizens will not participate in an election or a referendum of a constitution they did not participate in even during its elementary stage.
The NCA also wants to reiterate its call for a new people driven democratic constitution not later than a year from time any transitional authority is put in place. Zimbabweans deserve a new constitution now!!!
Madock Chivasa
National Constitutional Assembly Spokesperson