Zimbabwe Parties Welcome SADC's Position

Republic of Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe says that there should be no delay in the national elections scheduled for some time during 2013. The ruling ZANU-PF party indicates it is prepared to take on the imperialist-backed MDC-T., a photo by Pan-African News Wire File Photos on Flickr.

Parties welcome Sadc’s position

Monday, 04 June 2012 00:00
Farirai Machivenyika Senior Reporter
ZImbabwe Herald

PARTIES in the inclusive Government have welcomed the outcome of the Sadc extraordinary summit in Angola on Friday that resolved that elections in Zimbabwe be held within the next 12 months.

Zanu - PF said the outcome was in line with its position for the polls to be held as soon as possible.

In an interview yesterday Zanu-PF spokesperson, Cde Rugare Gumbo, lauded Sadc for recognising that it was important that the elections be held within an acceptable timeline.

“We are satisfied with the outcome. Sadc said elections should be held within 12 months and contrary to what some parties are saying this means they can be held this year.

“Sadc was just being diplomatic but they recognised the importance of having elections this year,” he said.

Cde Gumbo said it was important that the constitution-making process be expedited.

The making of a new constitution has been delayed by wrangling among the parties in the inclusive Government.

Copac, the body mandated to lead the process is being accused of alienating itself from views gathered during the outreach programme.

Commenting on the on his facebook page, Minister of State in Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai’s Office and secretary for foreign affairs in the MDC-T, Mr Jameson Timba, welcomed the outcome of the meeting as his party’s victory.

“The victory of MDC in Sadc is the victory of the people over the forces of evil. No army can stop an idea whose time has come. Sadc said no elections without constitution and reforms so no elections in 2012. Zanu-PF position had no takers, history is on our side. Aluta continua,” he said.

Midlands State University lecturer, Dr Nhamo Mhiripiri, said it was important that the new constitution be completed to ensure speedy holding of elections.

“The inclusive Government was originally meant to last for two years and has overstayed its mandate.

“What is important, however, is that we conclude the constitution-making process so that we go to elections.

“It is important that we observe what Sadc have said because the inclusive Government is a product of their interventions,” he said.

National Constitutional Assembly chairman, Professor Lovemore Madhuku, said there was nothing new from the Sadc Summit as they had simply thrown the ball back to Zimbabweans.

“There is nothing really to celebrate because the same parties that are disagreeing have been asked to find solutions to the disagreements they are having.

“What is important is that there be involvement of the generality of Zimbabweans beyond the three parties because it is beyond doubt that they will never agree,” he said.

The Sadc Troika on Defence, Politics and Security Co-operation called for elections to be held within the next 12 months and urged parties in the inclusive Government to work on a timeline for conducting elections.

In its communiqué after the summit, Sadc commended the parties in the inclusive Government for their efforts in implementing the GPA.

“On Zimbabwe, summit commended stakeholders for their commitment, co-operation and efforts towards the implementation of the GPA and urged the parties in the GPA to finalise the constitution-making process and subject it to a referendum thereafter.

“Summit also urged the parties to the GPA, assisted by the facilitator, to develop an implementation mechanism and to set out time frames for the full implementation of the roadmap to elections.

“The summit further commended South African President Jacob Zuma — the facilitator — for his efforts towards the realisation of the full implementation of that GPA,” reads part of the communiqué.