MDC-Mutambara+statement,+Harare,+02+April+08

MDC Press Conference Statement, 2nd April 2007, Harare, Zimbabwe
=Maintaining the Momentum Against the Mugabe Regime= =//Let us Drive the Tyrant out of Town//=

Introduction
The MDC National Executive Committee met on Saturday 31st March 2007, followed by the National Council on the 1st of April 2007. The National Council considered the current National Crisis. This press conference is pursuant to the discussions and resolutions of the National Council, the MDC’s supreme decision making organ in between congresses.

On The SADC Summit
The MDC places a lot of significance on the convening, deliberations and decisions of the SADC Heads of State Emergency Summit held in Tanzania on the 28th March 2007. The fact that the regional body met specifically to discuss Zimbabwe is in itself an acknowledgement of the Zimbabwean crisis and an acceptance that the despot Robert Mugabe has failed to run the affairs of our nation. More importantly, the SADC Emergency Summit clearly recognized that the on-going economic and political crisis is both unsustainable and a threat to regional stability. This is unprecedented.

The SADC position is further reinforced by the bold decision to appoint President Thabo Mbeki of South Africa as the mediator with a view to facilitating resolution of the crisis through dialogue between ZANU-PF and democratic forces. Such an unequivocal regional mandate to the SA President was unthinkable a mere four weeks ago. This is a triumph of regional sovereignty and Pan-Africanism over narrow, perverted and misconceived notions of national sovereignty. This is victory for the people of Zimbabwe, and Africans in general. The MDC applauds these resolutions of the SADC Emergency Summit and condemns the attempt by the Dictatorship to underplay SADC efforts by declaring the Summit a victory for the disastrous Mugabe policies that have brought suffering to the people.

Hell, No. It was neither victory nor an excellent meeting for Robert Mugabe. It was a devastating blow to the ugly face of ZANU(PF). There has been movement in attitudes and opinions among Africans with respect to Zimbabwe. Africans no longer accept Mugabe’s grandstanding as a liberation hero, freedom fighter, land revolutionary, anti-imperialist and champion of African rights. They now accept him for what he is: A despot who has become a negation of the values and principles of the liberation war; a dictator who brutalizes Africans and denies them basic human rights and economic opportunities.

What We Want
So what is it that the people of Zimbabwe want? It is our submission that at the core of the Zimbabwean crisis are issues of governance and legitimacy. Our country is ruled by a corrupt, incompetent, criminal, and brutal kleptocracy, which has retained power through fraudulent elections. We do not want any further polls in our country under the current constitutional and electoral framework. We want a new people-driven democratic constitution, electoral law reforms and legislative changes that allow for the holding of free and fair elections. Furthermore, we want this new democratic and electoral dispensation to take root in our country now, thus creating conditions conducive for free and fair elections. It is our demand that the first plebiscite under these conditions should be internationally supervised. We will respect any government that is produced by these processes.

Beyond resolving the challenge of illegitimacy, the people of Zimbabwe can then deal with issues of economic recovery, stabilization, transformation and growth. We want Zimbabwe to be a globally competitive economy in terms of GDP, per capita income, business growth, exports, FDI, worker conditions, wages, and entrepreneurship. Our vision is that of Zimbabwe as the leading African democracy, characterized by people-centered social development and economic growth.

The Strategy to Victory
How are we going to achieve what we want? In order to establish leveling of the political playing field in Zimbabwe, through the reforms we seek, there is need for a broad alliance of all democratic forces. Civic society organizations and political parties must work together to restore democracy and freedom in Zimbabwe. Events of the past month have demonstrated the capacity of Zimbabweans to execute unity of action and purpose. As a party we resolve to continue with the spirit of cooperation in pursuit of the re-democratisation of Zimbabwe beginning with the achievement of national consensus on a new constitution followed by agreement on a new electoral dispensation which will ensure that the next elections are a palpably free and fair. We will continue with our Defiance Campaign to press the ZANU-PF government towards an all inclusive dialogue around the changes we seek. We will continue to defy POSA, AIPPA, and the illegitimate government of Robert Mugabe.

It is critical to maintain and leverage the momentum that has gathered against Robert Mugabe in Zimbabwe. All democratic forces must close ranks, carry out joint actions of defiance against unjust laws and the illegitimate regime, and also support each other in their independent institutional initiatives and actions. It is in this context that the MDC unreservedly supports the national Stay Away planned by the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions on 3-4 April 2007. We fully endorse this revolutionary confrontation with the regime and call upon all Zimbabweans to rally behind the trade union movement to make the Stay Away a success.

When the conditions for free and fair elections have been achieved, the MDC believes it is critical for the democratic forces to ensure that every vote counts against ZANU(PF). It is essential that opposition parties do not compete against each other in elections. There is need to galvanise and energise the entire national electorate by presenting a united front against ZANU(PF). We believe in a single candidate philosophy and principle in all elections (Presidential, Parliamentary, Senate, Council, etc).

Consequently, the MDC resolves to continue dialogue and seek agreement with other opposition parties in order to establish a possible election coalition framework and candidate selection methodology. It is our submission that national interest should take precedence over narrow and selfish interests. The democratic forces should not allow ZANU(PF) to reinvent, regenerate, and succeed itself. If this happens, it will mean ZANU(PF) rule for another 20-30 years. This must be stopped by any means necessary. The old adage has never been more applicable; united we stand, divided we fall. An all-inclusive and cohesive united front of ALL democratic forces is essential to give our country a fresh start. Our nation needs the injection of a new value system, a different political culture, and redemptive institutional frameworks. Our economy demands creative technocratic solutions and capacity that these ZANU(PF) morons are incapable of providing.

Conclusion
We will be masters of our destiny. We will not allow the dictator to determine the future of our country. We will step up to the plate and free ourselves. We will embark on an economic journey to the promise land. We have the potential to be a globally competitive economy. With our strength in natural resources, physical infrastructure, and human capital, Zimbabwe is destined for greatness. What we need is to stand up to the ZANU(PF) cowardly dictatorship which has turned our nation into an unashamedly criminal state. The transformation of the police into a criminal sadistic brutal force is worse than any thing we ever saw under the Smith regime. We will stand united as a people as we confront the regime in the process of reclaiming our sovereignty, freedoms, liberties and dignity. It is our generational mandate. We will not be found wanting. We will defeat these ZANU(PF) morons and cowards. We owe it to ourselves, to future generations and to posterity to stand firm.


 * The Struggle Continues.**


 * Arthur G.O. Mutambara**
 * MDC President**

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