The Zimbabwe Political Deal

Extracts from a commentary on progress presented by Bishop Rubin, Co Chairperson Solidarity Peace Trust, at the Centre for Civil Society, University of KwaZulu-Natal in October

.............The signing of the GPA by three political parties gave rise to expectations both in Zimbabwe and outside that the parties involved would urgently get down to the serious business of implementing the agreement and moving the country from a state of paralysis to the new beginning. Regrettably, the situation in Zimbabwe at the moment is worse off than it was on 15 September when the GPA was signed, and indeed worse off than it was when the MoU that set the framework for the talks that led to 15 September.......... The signing of the agreement has not had a positive impact on the people of Zimbabwe; it has not enabled Zimbabwe to be restored to normalcy at the political, social and economic levels. of normalcy in Zimbabwe's political arena. The restoration of normalcy in the political arena is seen as the key to resolving all the other aspects of the crisis bedevilling Zimbabwe........ The collapse of the talks has been a result of failed Regional and Continental leadership on Zimbabwe...........Dialogue needs to be guided and underpinned by democratic values, and this is what has been lacking from all sides in the talks in Zimbabwe. The facilitators and the guarantors of the agreement such as the SADC and the AU, have demonstrated a lack of principled stand on Zimbabwe and Robert Mugabe, particularly their ambivalence on the election of Mugabe in the sham elections of 27 June..........Regional and Continental leaders have been reluctant to invoke the democratic principles and values espoused by our own continent when the ZEC refused to announce the results and violence was unleashed on MDC and civil society activists. Even in the face of condemnation of the Zimbabwe government by African institutions, no sanctions were taken by the African leaders to bring Robert Mugabe, his government and party to account............. Talks that should bring about a democratic dispensation need to be underpinned by democratic values. It is our view then that whoever engages with Robert Mugabe needs to know and acknowledge that they are dealing with a rebel. And all forms of pressure that are exerted on rebels to engage must be applied on Robert Mugabe......... We have projected the failed responsibility of African leadership in solving the Zimbabwe crisis as an African problem. This failure has led to a severe deterioration of the living conditions in Zimbabwe. We have a situation right now in Zimbabwe where the state has no relevance to the well being of its people. The state is no longer a reference point for health, education, protection, housing etc. Citizens from all walks of life will hook on to anything that would make them survive - be it ethical or not, legal or otherwise. You have people living in a state of despair, but with a resolution to live on. This makes the people as individuals and as a nation susceptible and vulnerable to any forms of exploitation that present a dangling carrot. Thus Zimbabwe, and indeed the region as a whole, has become vulnerable to imperial interests of all sorts - be they western, eastern southern or northern. It is against this background that South Africa and her citizens must strengthen their solidarity with Zimbabwe in its struggle for a just society......... There is an urgent need for South Africa to review its policy on Zimbabwe.....South African civil society, faith based organisations and etc need to hold South Africa accountable for what is happening in Zimbabwe....... at the fore front of defending the rights of and protecting Zimbabwean immigrants who end up in South Africa..... South Africans from across the board, be they state actors or non state actors, must demand that food distribution be allowed in Zimbabwe without any hindrance. We need to hear the South African High Commissioner to Zimbabwe speaking into these issues, we need to hear our government speaking with clarity on the humanitarian crisis, and we need civil society and faith based organisations to be part of the national and regional efforts in addressing the humanitarian crisis, especially as it has to do with food......... For a long time, South African civil society, faith based organisations and the media have been building support and understanding of the Zimbabwe crisis as neighbours in need of help. This must continue, as part of the tradition of hospitality and the fight against xenophobia, but also as part of reclaiming our humanity - ubuntu - in Africa and world over.

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