MDC united on pro-democracy forces unity talks

MDC united on pro-democracy forces unity talks - Chaibva

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By Gabriel Chaibva

FOLLOWING the historic congress of the MDC held in February 2006, which saw the election of President Arthur G.O. Mutambara as the President of our party, the National Council has met on more than two occasions to map out strategies for the future.

The President’s call for reunification of all democratic forces in Zimbabwe was unanimously adopted by the supreme policy making body, the National Council and unity has been our first prize.

We believe that the problems leading to October 12, 2005, were surmountable. Firstly, we believed that any sensible Zimbabwean politician would eventually come to terms with the harsh reality that there is no alternative to elections. And we are happy that others have now realized that whatever they do is intended to persuade the governing party to the negotiating table, and not as a means to assume power.

Secondly we believed that certain underlying matters leading to the October debacle can easily be resolved by merely reflecting on the founding values and principles of the party; non-violence, respect to established rules and regulations of the party as enshrined in the constitution, respect and acceptance of the constitution as supreme, respect of collective decision making process, and respect for divergent views.

We are happy that in the past months there has been a refocus, redefinition of the nature, substance and content of the change we desire. Thirdly, we believed that there shall be a realization that the MDC is a people driven organization which puts greater emphasis on national interest over personal ego and ambitions of individuals.

Today we find reason to celebrate in that all our predictions have eventuated and for these reasons, the National Council endorsed unanimously the principle of unity. Placing national interest over personal desires, the National Council further endorsed and adopted the principle that all of us be prepared to forgo whatever claim to leadership we have, to pave way for unity of all democratic forces.

The MDC is governed by the doctrine of collective decision-making and nobody can make unilateral decisions and nobody can override resolutions adopted by National Council in its assembly. It is therefore totally malicious, false and simply untrue for anyone to suggest that the Secretary General Professor Ncube or any other officer of the party, is against unity and is at variance with the positions adopted by Council. It is pure mischief that certain sections of the media, have resorted to parade products of their fictitious and imaginative minds as fact.

In pursuing their devilish agenda, certain sections of the media, quoting unnamed hypothetical, imaginary and faceless “sources” continue to suggest that there exists a rift in the rank and file of our leadership. It is our view that purveyors of such falsehoods are certainly scared of the prospects of unity of all democratic forces in Zimbabwe. The references made to Professor Ncube, quoting his statement out of context in calculated, vulgar terms are attempts at attacking his personal integrity and standing as an individual.

We dismiss any such suggestions that Professor Ncube is anti-unity, with the contempt it deserves. I put it on record, for the avoidance of doubt, that the Secretary General Professor Ncube, is in fact, an ardent supporter and a relentless advocator for unity, a fact we find hard to reconcile with the demonic utterances by merchants of doom and gloom. I put it further on record that it is delusional and dreadful wishful thinking that President Mutambara will join any other political grouping in the context of unity! Let there be no confusion about the need for unity of all democratic forces and the suggestion of the President “ defecting” as has been peddled by some people.

Any discussions around the subject of Unity shall remain confidential until such time it may be necessary to make statements in that regard. There are NO disagreements between the leadership of the party on this very important issue of unity and we are all in total unison with the President and overtures he makes directed at achieving that.

Gabriel Chaibva is the Secretary for Information and Publicity for a faction of the MDC led by Arthur Mutambara
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