Zimbabwe Government of National Unity and the Movement for Democratic Change’s Complaints of Breaches by the Zanu-PF in Zimbabwe

QUOTE

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

FOR ORAL REPLY

QUESTION NO: 16

PUBLISHED IN THE INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 8 OF 11 AUGUST 2009

Ms ME Pilusa-Mosoane (ANC) to ask the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation:

(1) Whether the government of national unity can be sustained in view of the Movement for Democratic Change’s complaints of breaches by the Zanu-PF in Zimbabwe; if not why not; if so, what are the relevant details;

 (2) whether the provisions of the Global Political Agreement have been fully implemented to ensure that conditions for free and fair elections are created; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?

REPLY:

1. Yes, There have been positive developments in Zimbabwe since the January 2009 SADC Extraordinary Summit. These developments include the passing of Constitutional Amendment 19, formation of an Inclusive Government, passing of the National Security Bill. The country’s Parliament is also working fulfilling its constitutional mandate, the Inclusive Government is functioning and the Joint Monitoring and Implementation Committee (JOMIC) is working as well.

There is noticeable progress regarding the functioning of the Inclusive Government notwithstanding the few outstanding issues which will need to be resolved soon. All the Parties are committed to full implementation of the Global Political Agreement (GPA). South Africa, SADC and AU as guarantors of the GPA should remain seized with the Zimbabwe issue and would provide the necessary support to the Zimbabwean political leadership to implement the GPA.

The Constitution-making process is progressing notwithstanding concerns raised by some civil society organisations around the use of the Kariba Draft Constitution as a reference document. Of importance is the fact they continue to participate in the process. Under the GPA, the Parties must draft a new Constitution for Zimbabwe and put it to the electorate in a referendum.

Recognising the progress (political & economic reforms) that has been made since the formation of the Inclusive Government in February 2009, and notwithstanding the two outstanding issues that have been referred for SADC mediation, it is our view that the Inclusive Government can be sustained. It is the view of my Department that the outstanding issues will be resolved soon.

2. No, the provisions of the GPA have not yet been fully implemented to ensure that conditions for free and fair elections are created.

However, an inclusive and participatory process is underway to draft a new constitution for Zimbabwe under which future elections will be conducted. 

UNQUOTE