adminThe three parties in the inclusive Government — born out of the Global Political Agreement — have been speaking with one voice since last week when the principals announced that an agreement had been reached on the constitution making process. This paved the way for the holding of the referendum and subsequently the harmonised presidential, parliamentary and council elections.
The presidential election and the general polls are expected to end the life of the inclusive Government. We have time and again argued that the inclusive Government was stalling development in the country as the three parties in the unity Government — Zanu-PF, MDC-T and the Professor Welshman-led MDC formation — were not pulling in the same direction. President Mugabe has repeatedly bemoaned the current state of affairs justifying arguments why elections should be held for a new government to take over the running of the country and giving certainty to the course Zimbabwe is taking in terms of political, economic and social policies.
The bickering over policies in the inclusive Government has been a cause of uncertainty and that is not good for the country. Although the inclusive Government should be commended for bringing about some semblance of stability in the economy and resuscitated some key sectors such as health, there has been no progress in recording real growth in the economy because of lack of unison in the coalition government.
Since 2009 the three political parties in the coalition Government have been haggling over the constitution and numerous other matters of national importance. But the announcement last week that an agreement on the proposed new constitution had been reached following a meeting between President Mugabe, Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai, Deputy Prime Minister Arthur Mutambara and Professor Welshman Ncube was as refreshing as the new year, which has just started.
We commend the oneness that now characterises the process of making the new constitution and preparations for the elections.
Yesterday there were reports that leaders of the three political parties might cut on the timelines on the constitution making that were provided in the GPA. This clearly showed efforts to hold the overdue elections are gathering momentum. Copac co-chairpersons Cde Munyaradzi Paul Mangwana (Zanu-PF) and Mr Douglas Mwonzora (MDC-T) said the new provision had been arrived at because they did not know when the constitution making process was going to be completed. This means President Mugabe could immediately call for the polls after the new constitution has been adopted. One of the leaders of the political parties Prof Ncube also revealed that the principals had tasked Prime Minister Tsvangirai to find out from the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission when it will be ready to conduct the referendum on the new constitution.
Prof Ncube said although the GPA stipulates that there should be three months between the publication of the draft constitution and the referendum the parties could agree to shorten the period. Such meeting of minds on this crucial issue is most welcome and we urge the political leaders to remain seized with the matter and see the process coming to fruition to pave the way for the elections. The three political parties should certainly work round the clock so that this country could move forward. The unity of purpose being displayed by our political leaders will also authenticate the outcome of the elections because no party will cry foul and challenge the results. The agreement struck by the three parties on the draft constitution and the harmony they are exhibiting shows that Zimbabweans are indeed capable of resolving their challenges and define their destiny.
Online Reporter