Zim 40 years behind says Biti

via Zim 40 years behind says Biti – The Zimbabwean 22 July 2015

Zimbabwe’s economic and political problems have put the country 40 years behind in terms of development, the Renewal Team leader, Tendai Biti, has said.

He made the remarks at the weekend when speaking to party members in Gweru during an ongoing nationwide tour of Renewal structures. The economy has been on a downturn for more than a decade due to poor governance presided over by President Robert Mugabe and Zanu (PF).

The 2009-2013 Government of National Unity temporarily brought stability to the economy, but the situation took a dramatic turn for the worse after the 2013 general elections, which Zanu (PF) won with a landslide amid reports of systematic rigging.

Biti said the country must focus on employment creation and mending the economy in order to bring development to its citizens. He added that the “best product of the 2018 elections will only be a transitional government”.

Biti said the government to be formed in 2018 would need to focus on three specific issues – rebuilding the social order, dealing with issues of the economy and setting conditions for free, fair, credible and undisputed elections in future.

He said a coalition of political parties transcending generations must be built in order to defeat Zanu (PF) in 2018. “A coalition against dictatorship must be formed, the young generation will represent democratic principles while the old are there to ensure transitional inevitability and stability,” he said.

Talk of a political coalition is gathering momentum in Zimbabwe, with seven political formations recently sharing the platform at a prayer meeting for abducted journalist and activist, Itai Dzamara.

The Renewal Team says it will soon hold its congress under the theme, “An Agenda for Reclaiming Zimbabwe.”