What are our options?

via What are our options? | The Zimbabwean 16 July 2014 by Ambrose B. Chimbganda

In spite of our people’s pain and suffering, you cannot fail to appreciate their indomitable spirit.

They work tirelessly on their small pieces of land, move about trying to cut some small deals, sell their merchandise to eke out a living, send their children to fee-paying schools, crack jokes and exude an abundant warmth and love. This is the irrepressible spirit of our people that needs to be harnessed to form an unstoppable locomotion for total emancipation.

The first option is a spontaneous uprising where the masses, without being galvanised by some revolutionary demagogue, will stand up to demand their inalienable rights. This is a real possibility. There comes a time when people are not afraid to die so that their children and posterity can have a better life.

Also, history shows that the most fertile ground for change is hunger, poverty, unemployment, injustice, repression, corruption and an uncaring regime. Zimbabwe is pregnant with all these elements, and it only takes a spark to ignite an explosion.

Political rebirth

But let us be realistic. Spontaneous revolutions are rare and far apart and they often end up in chaos. The Arab Spring in Tunisia, Libya, Egypt and Syria is a warning about how a loosely coordinated people’s struggle can end up in anarchy.

Another possibility is the reconfiguration of the current political parties, especially a split in the ruling party which is seen by many of our people as having ruined their lives. In particular, as some opponents of the ruling party would argue, it is necessary to bring to an end the political dominance of Zanu (PF) so that we can build a new social order with different values. In this context, the current factionalism can be seen as a good omen for change because a divided party cannot hold on to power for ever.

The possibility of a split is consistent with regional and international trends. For instance, Kenneth Kaunda’s UNIP in Zambia was so inept that the late Frederick Chiluba’s MMD party was able to win elections to usher in a new government, and a few years ago, Michael Sata’ Patriotic Front in turn ousted Rupia Banda’s MMD. In Malawi, the feared Kamuzu Banda’s ruling MCP lost to Bakili Muluzi’s party and just last month Mrs Joyce Banda’s ruling party lost to that of Prof Mutariki. Can Zimbabwe be an exception?

As regards the MDC, all indications are that although the party is suffering from internal haemorrhage, Morgan Tsvangirai’s faction appears to have considerable grassroots support, which can easily make it the largest political party in Zimbabwe.

Military option

Some people think we can bring about change by replacing Zanu (PF) with an interim military regime, especially by officers of a lower rank who have not been part of the plunder of our country.

They suggest that a military government can work with civilians for a limited time in order to pave the way for a free and fair election that is internationally recognised.

But I see fundamental flaws in this option. To start with, can the Zimbabwean army be trusted to be the custodian of our democracy? Can it hand over power to an emasculated civilian government once it has tasted the sweetness and grandeur of power? Does our army uphold the values of democracy and the tradition of fair play? We cannot hand over power to an institution whose track record is repression.

We should not flirt with the army when it comes to the establishment of democracy and good governance. Even the reckless talk of guerrilla warfare is not a viable solution. By nature war is destructive and you can never pre-determine the outcome.

We do not want to destroy our country in order to rebuild it. But it must be made abundantly clear that the government is increasingly pushing our people to consider this option by stubbornly refusing to introduce changes necessary to bring about economic, political and social justice. The more our people suffer the more they are likely to resort to radical measures.

The ballot

Some of our people argue that the most likely option is to change the government through the ballot box.

Assuming that this is the most viable alternative, political parties need to play the game using different tactics so that they do not repeat the mistakes they made in the last three elections.

If change is going to come through the ballot, we need to insist, as a pre-condition, on a level playing field such as an authentic voter’s role, free and fair voting procedures as well as a transparent vote counting system.

While talking about elections, it does not help our people to be continuously fed with scapegoats that victory was stolen from the MDC. Everyone knows that where the political playing field is not level the ruling party uses all devious means to stay in power.

National redemption

The pertinent question that needs to be asked is: if indeed the MDC won, what concrete measures did they take to claim their legitimate right?

Is it not being naive to expect SADC, AU, or the EU to fight our battle?

To save our country from a possible collapse, progressives from our civil society, the diaspora and the different political formations can immediately open up dialogue to form a broad-based “National Redemption Council”.

The council should consist mainly of eminent citizens, technocrats, scholars, economists, farmers, educationists, industrialists, bankers, mining experts, and others.

The council should not be a political party, such as the much talked about “grand coalition”, but should be a people-driven council limited in time and scope, focusing on specific functions.

Among other things, the National Redemption Council should (1) establish broad consensus on the future of our country, (2) prepare for a free and fair election, (3) work out a people-driven programme for economic recovery in the short and long term, (4) engage the international community to solicit funds which will be kept in a trust account to be used by a government of the people, for the people and by the people. (5) monitor government activities especially mining and corruption, (6) review investment and land policies (7) draw up a plan to bring back Zimbabweans in the diaspora, (8) establish a truth and reconciliation commission which will work out the modalities for lasting peace.