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Tsvangirai 'weak and indecisive' - Mutambara
The following is a statement released by Arthur Mutambara, leader of a faction of the divided opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) following the party's National Council meeting in Harare on Saturday, July 28:
MDC National Council Resolutions
1) The Zimbabwean Economic Crisis
The National Council noted with deep concern the continuing deteriorating economic situation in Zimbabwe.
The National Council further
noted that the current economic malaise is a direct result of the failed
policies of Robert Mugabe and Zanu PF which have not provided any respite
to the suffering of Zimbabweans. The policies have largely benefited
senior Zanu PF officials and their party loyalists.
It is within this context that National Council reviewed the current
Price Reduction exercise being carried out by Zanu PF as an ineffective
and short term strategy addressing symptoms and not causes of our national
challenges. The question to address is how did these prices get out
of hand? Yes, the people of Zimbabwe deserve affordable prices for basic
commodities and services. However, these commodities and services must
also be available. The Zanu PF meaningless and populist efforts have
created unprecedented shortages.
Businesses must be able to function in a sustainable and profitable manner. Currently many companies are shutting down leading to major de-industrialisation. It is the view of the National Council that there is need for a comprehensive and systemic approach that deals with fundamental causes of the Zimbabwean crisis namely; political illegitimacy, poor country governance and lack of both economic vision and strategy. These foundational matters have to be resolved in a holistic approach that involves all stake holders, nationally, regionally and internationally.
Consequently, the National Council resolved to mandate the leadership to engage with the SADC Summit after the presentation of the economic report on Zimbabwe and call upon SADC to ensure that there is a strategic link between the economic and political reports.
More significantly, Council noted that Zimbabweans cannot outsource their emancipation and liberation to foreigners. We must not be solely dependent on the Mbeki initiative. We must have an alternative program of action on the ground that seeks to achieve conditions for free and fair elections.
Consequently, Council resolved to intensify the defiance campaign activities in conjunction with other political parties and civic society organisations. In the battle to make Zimbabwe a peaceful, democratic and prosperous nation, we must be masters of our own destiny.
2) MDC and the International Community
The National Council noted the increasing international solidarity with the people of Zimbabwe, in particular among African governments and people.
In this regard the National Council resolved to thank all those who have voiced their concern over the Zimbabwean crisis, particularly the African fraternity.
The National Council further resolved to acknowledge the just ended SACP Congress invitation extended to the Party as a positive development in the recognition of the party among progressive forces, the African continent and the African Diaspora.
3) Internal MDC Dialogue
Code of Conduct
The National Council noted that the Code of Conduct that was intended to govern relations between the two MDC formations had not come into force.
The National Council further noted that whereas both formations had agreed to and signed the code of conduct, the refusal by Morgan Tsvangirai to attend a press conference to formally adopt and launch the code had resulted in the Code of Conduct remaining an unimplemented agreement. Today we formally make this document public.
Coalition Agreement
• The National Council noted that as a party we have consistently called for unity of purpose and action among all democratic forces, particularly the need to adopt the single candidate principle announced by the President of our Party on the 16th of March 2007.
• The National Council further noted that over the last ten months both formations of the MDC have been engaged in private internal negotiations which have in recent months focused on how to bring to fruition the single candidate philosophy. These negotiations culminated in a draft Coalition Agreement which seeks to give Zimbabweans an opportunity for a unified and concerted effort to dislodge Zanu PF. Today we officially make this agreement public.
• The National Council resolved to formally adopt the Coalition Agreement as is, i.e., as initially adopted by the two negotiating teams.
• The National Council noted that the Tsvangirai formation has rejected this Coalition Agreement. Fellow Zimbabweans, it is with a heavy heart that we announce that our colleagues have rejected a united front of all democratic forces that would have increased the opportunity for us to defeat the criminal and illegitimate regime of Robert Mugabe.
Unity of purpose and action is essential to energise and mobilise the people of Zimbabwe in their pursuit of change, more so when it is clear that the conditions of our next elections will be neither free nor fair. If Morgan Tsvangirai does not understand the strategic value of unity in our struggle against Mugabe, the National Council wonders whether he is fit to be the President of Zimbabwe. If Morgan Tsvangirai is such a weak and indecisive leader who cannot embrace what ordinary Zimbabweans are demanding (unity of action and purpose in the opposition), is he worthy of the presidency of this country? Zimbabweans deserve better leadership.
• Consequently, the National Council resolved to proceed on its own in preparation for any future elections. We will be fielding our own Presidential candidate against both Robert Mugabe and Morgan Tsvangirai. We are here to present strategic vision and decisive leadership. The people of Zimbabwe demand nothing less.
• The National Council further resolved that the Party still believes in the need for democratic forces to work together. Unity of purpose and action in the opposition is still a core and central organising principle of the Party. However, the Party will only participate in a process that gives life to the united front inspired by single candidate philosophy where there is mutual respect and trust for all parties.
4) Save Zimbabwe Campaign
The National Council noted the previous resolution of the National Council to participate in the Save Zimbabwe Campaign.
The National Council further noted that the founding principles and purpose of the Save Zimbabwe Campaign were to provide a broad platform for democratic forces in order to confront the regime of Robert Mugabe on an equal platform. Save Zimbabwe Campaign was not intended to further the interests of any one grouping.
The National Council noted that as a Party we have continuously raised our concern with the conveners of the Save Zimbabwe Campaign, the Christian Alliance in respect of the lack of transparency in the manner in which Save Zimbabwe Campaign operates.
The National Council further noted that Save Zimbabwe Campaign has largely remained an organisation that furthers the interests of a few individuals and has abandoned its founding values and principles. It has become a vehicle to solely advance the perverted agenda of Morgan Tsvangirai.
National Council resolved to immediately withdraw the MDC from the Save Zimbabwe Campaign because of its inability to work as a broad platform of equals.
5) Archbishop Pius Ncube
The National Council noted the immense contribution made by Archbishop Pius Ncube to the struggle against the Mugabe dictatorship over the years, and his consistent outspokenness on the crimes of the regime from Gukurahundi through Murambatsvina to the current economic crisis.
The National Council noted the state orchestrated allegations levelled against Archbishop Pius Ncube and that these were designed specifically to tarnish his image and to prevent him from continuing to stand up against the Mugabe regime.
The National Council resolved to express solidarity with Archbishop Ncube.
6) ZINWA
The National Council noted the appalling failure of ZINWA to execute its mandate throughout the country. Specifically it noted that the water situation in Bulawayo had reached critical levels to the extent that residents were receiving water for less than 3 hours per day.
Council further noted that Bulawayo’s water woes could easily be ameliorated with the construction of the proposed pipeline from Mtchabezi Dam to Umzingwane Dam, a distance of merely 35km.
Council resolved to call upon government to immediately expedite the construction of the pipeline from Mtshabezi Dam to Umzingwane Dam.
Thank You
Arthur G.O. Mutambara
MDC President
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