Harare, 21/07/08, (Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition): The signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between ZANU PF and the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) in Harare yesterday must mark a new chapter in our country's search for democracy.

The Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition, representing more than 350 civic organizations wishes to reiterate that any meaningful transition in Zimbabwe must be held under a transitional authority. The Coalition is utterly opposed to a pact agreed between the political elite which does adequately address the socio-economic and political crisis which is by and large held as a crisis of governance and legitimacy. Whilst the spirit of accommodation is one way of resolving national crises, we urge that the framework of the ongoing national dialogue in Zimbabwe must be aimed at renewal, national healing and economic prosperity.

The Coalition specifically demands that the ongoing talks must be held in a framework of respect for the people who overwhelmingly voted for change on the 29th March 2008 in the harmonized elections. A framework of dialogue should have guarantees that human live will cease to be tormented through state organized violence and killings.

Quick fixes to the national crisis do not address the constitutional and democratic deficit that our country has had to grapple with for the past ten (10) years. We reserve our right to disobey any political establishment that does not serve to address the institutional failures, reform militarization of the state and the sweeping powers of the executive. Our expectation and that of many Zimbabweans is that the ongoing talks will lead to the establishment of a new polity that is founded on constitutionalism, the rule of law and respect for human rights.
The following conditions must be met in order to create a truly dialogical and deliberative culture for the success of the talks. We demand:

1. Cessation of political violence. The threats, physical assaults, torture, and acts of arson that have characterized the period following the March 29 harmonized elections must be halted immediately. Vilification of the opposition and pro-democracy groups, hate speech and lies peddled by the State-owned media houses must cease forthwith since they have no place in a democratic Zimbabwe.

2. Establishment of law and order. All political prisoners must be released, oppressive laws such as the Public Order and Security Act and the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act must be repealed to open space for democratic participation, and perpetrators of political violence must be brought to justice. The flimsy treason charges against Tendai Biti, MDC secretary-general and trumped-up charges against other opposition MPs must be dropped forthwith.

3. Transitional authority. We reiterate our calls for an establishment of a transitional authority with specific mandate of taking Zimbabwe to a lasting democracy as opposed to a power sharing Government of National Unity (GNU). The Coalition holds that a GNU is a stop gap measure, which gives the ruling Zanu PF party breathing space before reverting back to its war path on the opposition supporters and the broader pro-democracy movement. The transitional authority must run the state for a period not exceeding 18 months before going into fresh elections to be held under a new constitution and supervised by the regional and international observers.

4. Legitimacy and governance. The crisis of governance and legitimacy will remain unresolved if the people's will and choices are not adhered to. Hence the outcome of dialogue should reflect the people's choices as witnessed on the 29th of March 2008. A transitional authority should therefore form the bases of creating a governance model found on principles of accountability, transparency, non-corrupt practices which will form a lasting solution to the crisis.

It is our view that the solutions which will deliver Zimbabwe from the impasse should be an outcome of a consultative process, canvassing the ideas of the people of Zimbabwe across the national divide.

Contact:
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Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition