GLOBAL ZIMBABWE FORUM

"The Voice of the Zimbabwean Diaspora"

PRESS STATEMENT

At its General Council meeting held on 27th July 2008, the GZF discussed the issue of the on-going mediation efforts to broker a negotiated settlement between the political parties in Zimbabwe and resolved to issue the following statement:

The Global Zimbabwe Forum (GZF) welcomes the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding on 21st July 2008.

The GZF calls upon the mediation process to be broadened to include all key stakeholders in and outside the country especially the Civil Society Organizations and the Diaspora Community

The GZF is specifically concerned that the talks will result in the unilateral amendments of some key provisions of the national Constitution without adequate consultation with the various stakeholders.

The GZF insists that any new national constitution must fully address the concerns of the Diaspora community over such critical issues as dual citizenship and electoral enfranchisement of the Diaspora, among others.

Any amendments to the national Constitution must not be fast-tracked through Parliament without a public debate process since the Constitution is not a preserve of the political party elite but belongs to all of us Zimbabweans whether at home or in the Diaspora.

The GZF commits to work in partnership with the rest of the key stakeholders of the Zimbabwean community especially the CSOs movement in promoting an all inclusive mediation process.

The GZF also strongly recommends that if the negotiations agree to a settlement then an all-inclusive national conference be held in Zimbabwe that will allow for a public discussion and endorsement process of all the concerned stakeholders from all the various community sectors in Zimbabwe.

Issued in Geneva on Monday 28th July 2008 by

Mr. Daniel Molokele

Co-ordinator

Telephone: +41 78 906 3896

Ms. Grace Kwinjeh

Chairperson

Telephone: +27794344508

Mr. Mandla-akhe Dube

Vice Chairperson

Telephone: +6421...

Mr. Canaan Mhlanga

North America Region

Telephone: +7782373072

Mr. Simbarashe Chirimubwe

Rest of Africa Region

Telephone: +267-7...

Mr. Promise Mkwananzi

Europe Region

Telephone: +31612...

Mr. Luke Zunga

South Africa Region

Telephone: +27835...

Prof. Stan Mukasa

North America Region

Telephone: +724 467 0001

Mr. Sox Chikohwero

South Africa Region

Telephone: +2772 238 9192

 

Mr. Daniel Molokele
Geneva
Switzerland