Ahead of the 44th SADC Summit, the Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition hereby makes a clarion call for regional solidarity in light of the continued shrinking of the democratic space and political conflicts within Zimbabwe and other parts of the SADC region.
44 years after independence, Zimbabwe continues to witness concerted efforts to entrench one-party statism through draconian legislation, the capture of the judiciary, militarisation of key state institutions,
mutilation of the constitution, and clampdown on opposition and civil society activists.
The trend of state brutality has continued from the widely discredited elections of August 2023.
Instead of addressing the various credibility issues raised by many observer missions, including the SADC, the government of Zimbabwe has gone on to completely disregard the aspirations of the people.
The main focus, sadly, all point towards entrenchment of political power, primitive accumulation of wealth through
tender-preneurship, illicit financial deals, externalisation of minerals among others.
Ahead of the 2024 SADC Summit, Zimbabwe has witnessed a series of human rights violations characterised by disregard of fundamental rights enshrined in the constitution, abductions, arbitrary arrests and continued detention of opposition and civil society activists.
Currently, 78 opposition activists are languishing in remand prison following their arrest in Harare on June 16, 2024 while commemorating the Day of the African Child.
Senior government officials as well as the state controlled media have been on an overdrive labeling civil society organisations as anti-government institutions bent on tarnishing the image of the President and
the government of Zimbabwe.
These claims, which are wholly unfounded, have necessitated persecution of civil society and opposition activists by state security agents.
It is important for SADC to note that unconstitutional changes of governments, disputed elections and authoritarianism are among the contributing factors to conflicts within Southern Africa hence the need
for coordinated efforts to strengthen good governance within the region.
We plead with the SADC leadership to continue to assist Zimbabwe to respect the voices of its citizens as a primary basis to create a conducive environment for economic growth and peace.
Zero-sum politics must have no place, especially in former front-line states where many sons and daughters of the region
made the ultimate sacrifice for such freedoms.
Whilst it appears insurmountable, we believe it is possible to come together, respect our Constitution, and build a prosperous, inclusive, and tolerant democracy in Zpimbabwe.
It is worrying to note that Zimbabwe is the incoming Chair of the SADC at a time the situation prevailing in the country goes against the SADC guidelines on democracy and governance.
In light of the prevailing situation in Zimbabwe, The Coalition hereby restates its position and appeal to SADC on the Zimbabwean crisis;
Zimbabwe must return to full norm compliance in modern statecraft by implementing comprehensive electoral, social, economic and political reforms.
Such reforms must be undergirded by a firm commitment to return to political legitimacy and the restoration of Constitutionalism.
We reiterate our call for a devolved constitutional state where the Bill of Rights should be the cornerstone of economic development with a political system built on a free and fair electoral system and a competitive multi-party system to strengthen the social contract and Government legitimacy.
Legitimacy is a cornerstone of national rehabilitation and reconstruction in Zimbabwe.
The political system must allow for the principle of subsidiarity where local communities must actively participate in the decision-making processes that affect their day to iday lives in their locality.
The government of Zimbabwe must uphold a legal system that protects fundamental liberties, equality before the law, respect of property rights and the rule of law and the curbing of patronage and corruption.
In line with this, is to create a national value system based on Ubuntu.
Politicians and bureaucrats must be
subjected to a high standard of professionalism, accountability and the law.
SADC, the African Union (AU) and the international community must call for and support an inclusive national dialogue on Zimbabwe’s future.
Dialogue in itself is not an end but a means to arrive at a destination- an honest national conversation that reflects on the causes of the crisis and what ought to be done to arrive at a desired and shared destination.
Such a process must be broad-based and inclusive of actors beyond political parties i.e. business, civil society, academia, labour, women, youths, among others.
Zimbabwe’s dialogue process and subsequent transitional alternatives that emerge from the national conversation must seek to protect, uphold and strengthen the Constitution.
Creating a conducive environment that will allow stakeholders to freely share ideas on transitional alternatives is key in laying the foundations for meaningful dialogue.
A conducive environment is a crucial
confidence and trust building step in the national dialogue.
Coupled with the creation of an enabling
environment, political actors must develop a culture that conforms to the Constitution and comply with rules of the “game” that even the playing field.
Creating a conducive environment means that Zimbabwe must immediately undertake to:
End torture, abductions and enforced disappearances, murder, rape and maiming civilians by the military, state security agents and vigilante groups.
Decriminalise the work of civic society and end the continued persecution and arbitrary arrests of civic society leaders and trade unionists and release political prisoners.
Ensure that peace and human security prevail to allow for all stakeholders to freely express their views on the national dialogue process.
Stop attempts at weakening the Constitution through amendments meant to further interests of individuals.
Promote fair media coverage for all stakeholders and allow divergent views to be shared on all media platforms.
Tolerance to divergence is the hallmark of enriching the national dialogue process and enhances Zimbabwe’s chances of achieving set reform targets or milestones as a journey towards returning to legitimacy and norm compliance with democratic governance.