Mail and Guardian (SA)
The MDC’s decision to suspend its participation in further elections pending Zimbabwe’s compliance with the new SADC guidelines and principles for democratic elections seems to have taken many by surprise.
It was assumed that the MDC would continue to place blind faith in Zanu (PF) eventually opening up the democratic space and restoring citizens’ hard earned democratic rights to participate freely in the democratic process. The MDC has, after all, participated in numerous deeply flawed elections since 2000.
Since the disputed March 2002 Presidential elections we have tried in vain to enter into dialogue with Zanu (PF) to build a national political consensus on the way forward; a consensus that is a pre-requisite for tackling Zimbabwe’s multi-faceted crisis.
The obstinacy of Zanu (PF) towards introducing the reforms that are needed to restore genuine, democratic elections prompted the MDC, in January of this year, to publish our own set of minimum standards for elections in our document entitled ‘Restore’. Our aim was to give Zanu (PF) sufficient time to implement these standards ahead of the March 2005 parliamentary elections.
When Mr. Mugabe agreed with other SADC leaders in Mauritius on a comprehensive set of standards for elections that captured the essential elements of our ‘Restore document’, it appeared that Zanu (PF) would finally embark upon a comprehensive programme of democratic reform in line with SADC standards.
Sadly, the publication by the Government of Zimbabwe, within days of the adoption of the Mauritius principles, of a new draconian Bill to repress and control the activities of human rights organizations made it immediately apparent that the electoral environment in Zimbabwe is actually getting worse, not better, since the Mauritius agreement.
In light of these regretful developments the MDC took the decision to suspend participation in elections pending Zimbabwe’s total compliance with the Mauritius principles. With parliamentary elections less than seven months away, it was essential that an emphatic and clear message be sent that major democratic reforms are still needed to restore transparency and fairness to the entire electoral process. These reforms (which include repealing statutes that curtail basic rights, disbanding the youth militias and the compilation of, and access to, a new and accurate voters’ roll) take time to implement; they cannot simply be introduced a month or two before polling day.
The people of Zimbabwe desire genuine electoral reform; they wish to enjoy the same electoral standards that are already in place in other SADC countries.
The nationwide celebrations that took place throughout Zimbabwe over the course of last weekend, marking the MDC’s 5th anniversary, clearly demonstrate the growing momentum for genuine electoral reform.
The overwhelmingly positive response from the people, the continued harassment of MDC members (e.g the detention of MDC MP and Chairperson of our Youth Assembly Nelson Chamisa last week for holding a small meeting in his home) and the publication last Friday of a new Bill to establish an ‘independent’ Electoral Commission further vindicates our decision to suspend participation in elections. The appointments procedure for the new commission means that it will be independent in name only. Mr. Mugabe will appoint its Chairperson and the balance of its members will be selected by him from a shortlist provided by a Parliamentary Committee dominated by Zanu (PF).
Whilst we are limited in our internal ability to achieve change, we still continue to try by mobilizing peaceful pressure. However, we know we must work together with our allies in SADC to bring genuine democracy and prosperity to the region.
We believe that the MDC, the SADC leadership and the people of the SADC region all aspire to the same thing. We want food for our children. We want jobs and investment to come into the region to uplift the lives of poverty stricken people still waiting for the benefits of economic liberation. We want genuine political reforms that protect the freedoms that many fought and died for. We want to work together with others in the region to stabilize our country’s crisis, and to do so rapidly.
Another flawed election in Zimbabwe, however, will simply serve to entrench and exacerbate Zimbabwe’s socio-economic and political crisis. This is in nobody’s interest. A further deterioration of the Zimbabwe crisis will not only increase the suffering of ordinary Zimbabweans it will also undermine the region’s developmental objectives. The region needs a stable Zimbabwe; a Zimbabwe equipped to make a meaningful contribution to meeting the goals of the African renaissance. The time for a collective effort to establish a new beginning and build a new, democratic Zimbabwe, is now long overdue.
David Coltart MP
Shadow Justice Minister