Civil Society leaders met separately to re strategise and ensure that their submission are presented to the Parliamentary Select Committee. It would appear the Civil society was the most organised group having met on 3-4 July to consolidate their position. The organised Civil society however excludes the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions which has publicly announced that it will not participate in the constitution making process.

The conference had t0 be held by July 13, 2009 – the deadline provided in the GPA. Meanwhile there have been different positions especially between the two main parties on the constitutional process. Zanu PF is strongly for the use of the Kariba Draft as the basis for the new constitution.  MDC-T on the other hand has said it is receptive to as many ideas and drafts as people of Zimbabwe have. The MDC-T position is in line with the GPA which provides that the Select Committee should present a draft Constitution after broad consultations.

The main questions then are: What does this mean for the people of Zimbabwe? Are these merely teething problems for the Select Committee that will be overcome, or this is the end of the road for the inclusive government? Why is Zanu PF seeking to impose the Kariba Draft on the people of Zimbabwe?

Ntando Ndlovu ,  Harare 13 July 2009

Det är stundtals svårt förstå MDC-T:s aktiviteter och ansatser för oss i Harare. Åtta miljarder USA dollars till att börja är en jättesumma i sammanhanget när landet ekonomiska storlek är ungefär hälften så stor, medan den offentliga sektorns budget är cirka en miljard. Hur ska staten eller landet överhuvudtaget absorbera sådana belopp? Kan det vara ett elitistiskt försök att äta stora delar av kakan?

Och vad är allt prat om hur bra det går för landet? Under den politiska ytan är det fortfarande otrevlig och tufft här i Zimbabwe. Bara i dagarna har medlemmar av den modiga organisationen WOZA -Women of Zimbabwe Arise arresterats och misshandlats både i Harare och Bulawayo. Deras ”brott”: att fredligt demonstrera för en bättre Zimbabwe och för att hedra flyktingar inom och utanför landet i samband med FN:s flyktingdag.

Inte heller kommer samregeringen överens med civilsamhället, som kritiserar regeringen för att ignorera folkets verklig behov. Behov som inkluderar vettiga priser för vatten, sanitet, elektricitet, hyror, men också respekt för en folk-driven ny konstitution och upphörandet av godtyckliga arresteringar, oberoende nyhetssändningar, nyttjande av landets naturresurser för folkets bästa, upphörande av farminvasioner, och politisk relaterad hot och våld, etc.

Varför går Tsvangirai och för samlingsregeringens talan som om det är nästan bara en positiv utveckling vi ser, när det är skrämmande bakom ridåerna. Den reella makten besitter fortfarande ZANU-PF hökar. Polis, säkerhetspolis och militären står hotfullt i bakgrunden och agerar sporadiskt för att injaga skräck för att behålla maktbefogenheter. En journalist grävde också nyligen fram att ungefär 29 000 ungdomar avlönas av två ministerier utan verklig anknytning till verksamheten. De misstänks vara ligister för ZANU:s repressionsapparat. Det finns en stor risk att alla dessa repressiva strukturer och individer tas till bruk inför ett val om ungefär ett år.

På den positiva sidan kan MDC kapa dem repressiva kanalerna så mycket som möjligt och satsa pengar, lagstiftning och andra resurser för att bygga upp ett starkare samhälle och befolkning som kan stå emot de destruktiva krafterna.

En zimbabwier sade hoppfullt igår: ju längre denna nya situation pågår desto mindre chans för att landet faller tillbaka mot förfall.

Låt oss hoppas på det. Men hopp är ofta en illusion i nutidens Zimbabwe. Det värsta vore om Tsvangirai som anklagades för att vara lakej åt Väst av den ökände Mugabe, är numera lakej åt honom också.

För ett tag sedan sa Mugabe till besökande norrmän: Vi har inte längre någon opposition, vi arbetar ihop. Vid ett annat tillfälle sa han: det finns inga politiska fångar i Zimbabwe, bara kriminella.

Jaså!? Amnesty International har en annan åsikt efter förra veckans besök i landet.

http://www.thezimbabweindependent.com/index.php/local/22705-first-100-days-working-with-mugabe

http://www.amnesty.org/en/news-and-updates/report/zimbabwes-victims-of-violence-can-no-longer-wait-for-political-solution-20081031

I encourage feedback and discussion.

Deniz

I have, however, no news of the arrested group from the organization (ROHR) Restoration of Human Rights in Zimbabwe, who also demonstrated on the streets of Harare yesterday. See pictures on this link:

http://www.swradioafrica.com/ROHR-protest-271008/index.html

On the political side, we receive news that the complete number of regional leaders have accepted to have yet another summit regarding the national and political crises of this country.

In the meantime, people are suffering from the almost complete deterioration of social services, like health and education in addition to the meltdown of social infrastructures like water distribution and food production. On top of that, we ahve learnt that many relief organizations are limited in their operations since the centralbank refuses to release foreign currencies belonging to the organizations. These organizations have enough food to supply millions, but are not able to operate efficiently since money is need for logistics and staff salaries.

by Deniz Kellecioglu, Policy and Advocacy Economist, Harare

9 Edmonds Avenue, Belvedere, Harare.

Tel: 263- 4-775765,

Cell – 011 767 028, 023 432 038, 091 2 295 764

PRESS RELEASE
27October 2008

Harare: RIOT police in Harare, today descended on hundreds of women this morning who were peacefully protesting over the delayed conclusion of the peace talks between Zimbabwe’s three major political parties. At least 47 women were arrested around 10 in the morning and over 100 were beaten in the city as they were walking to the venue of the talks scheduled to begin this afternoon.

The Women’s Coalition of Zimbabwe (WCoZ) had mobilized nearly 1000 women who were tear- gassed and badly beaten as they regrouped at a spot near the Rainbow Towers where the talks are expected to be held.

Women started grouping for the demonstration around the Rainbow Towers at about 7am on Monday 27 October 2008 and the police dispersed them using tear gas and some of the women were beaten up. Some of the women even attempted to go directly to the Rainbow Towers and were beaten up too. By 1130, police had set up a road block and were turning away any cars intending to go to the venue of the talks, regardless of their purpose.

National Coordinator of the WCoZ, Netsai Mushonga is amongst those arrested and information reaching their offices said the group has been denied access to lawyers. Emilia Muchawa, WCoZ Chairperson, said “the major concern by women is manifest hunger, amongst other emergencies and the dire concern that failure to resolve the impasse will further exarcebate the situation.”

It is for these reasons that the Women’s Coalition of Zimbabwe demands the following;

1.    That the political party principals put the interests and concerns of the people of Zimbabwe first
2.    That the Political Party Principals negotiate and conclude the talks in good faith on Monday 27th October 2008.
3.    That an Inclusive Government be in place shortly thereafter to begin tackling the urgent challenges that the country is facing in accordance with the Agreement.
4.    That the Inclusive Government be constituted by a fair representation of women within the spirit of the Government of National Unity deal, SADC Protocol on Gender and Development and other regional and international instruments.

o    Conclude the Talks, We are dying of hunger.

o    Pedzayi Hurukuro, Tafa nenzara

o    Qedani inkulumo – sesilambile siyafa ngendlala

Couple of weeks ago, peaceful demonstrators from WOZA – Women of Zimbabwe Arise- where arrested. Two of the leaders Madogonga Mahlangu and Jenni Williams are still not released.

Please forward this information to people and decision makers…

The UK based newspaper is the first one to snap the issue:

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/africaandindianocean/zimbabwe/3267485/Police-arrest-protestors-at-Zimbabwe-summit.html

/Deniz

I tried to reach the hotel halls to take a glimpse on the atmosphere and the leaders, but were denied entrance outside the premises by police. Police officers where more in numbers than normal around the hotel premises and around the city center. Some riot police where also patrolling the area.

Also, I learnt that some women who wanted to demonstrate, where also denied entrance to the hotel premises. Apparently, they could not practice a demonstration anywhere in the city without troubled consequences.

However, on the ZANU-PF headquarter premises, which is neighboring the Rainbow Towers Hotel premises, around 50 ZANU-PF supporters where chanting and cheering without disturbance.

Driving through the city I also saw a police truck with about 15 women in white clothing taken somewhere. Hopefully, it was not arrests.

And hopefully, this week turns out to be the real turning point for Zimbabweans. However, most of them seem very skeptical and hopeless.

by Deniz Kellecioglu, Policy and Advocacy Economist, Harare

Monday 21, July 2008 will go down in history. The leaders of the two Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) formations and ZANU-PF signed the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) paving the way for negotiations for a political settlement. They even met in person and shook hands, after a decade. The Talks are set to start on July 22 in Pretoria under the facilitation of President Mbeki of South Africa.

Mixed feelings

For ordinary people the news was greeted with mixed feelings. There is excitement that finally the impasse has been broken, without a full scale civil war. There is hope emanating from the promises- such as the end of the hate laungage, increased tolerance, commitment to a lasting solution (from Mr. Tsvangirai), a new vision for Zimbabwe (from Prof. Mutambara) and a commitment to ‘ chart a new way, a new way of political interaction’ from Mr Mugabe of ZANU PF.

There is, however, also anxiety because of the contraditions in the messages. President Mbeki says no party has put forward any conditionalities, but such conditionalities are evident in the Zimbabwean leaders´ speeches. What chances does this process have to succeed in such a case? The allegations of violence continue. State resources like the farm equipment and the basic goods purchased by the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe continue to be used as ‘thank you tokens’ to ZANU PF members for voting for President Mugabe. This is especially being done Mrs Grace Mugabe who has been to various parts of Zimbabwe, in full party colours, making donations in fulfilment of ZANU PF campaign promises.  One wonders if a MDC supporter in his party’s colours could be welcomed? Worse still would the MDC leaders be allowed to address a rally in Zimbabwe today? If we are working towards a negotiated settlement it is fundamental that everyone, particularly the leadership should focus on unifying factors rather than fostering further division.

Finally, it is not clear so far what role the civil society and the ordinary people within and outside the different party structures would play in this process. The people who voted the political leaders are the key stakeholders, in whose interests, and with whom a lasting solution must be found.

Policy vacuum

In the meantime there exist a policy vacuum in Zimbabwe- since the last parliament was dissolved the credibility of policy announcements is questionable. The implications are dire in social, economic and political terms, but the greatest losers in all this will be the Zimbabweans already in severe poverty.

Zimbabweans are anxious to reach a turning point in their lives. It hinges on the talks between the leaders and unfortunately not on their votes. What a mockery of democracy!

by Ntando Ndlovu