JOINT STATEMENT BY ATHOL TROLLIP MP, KENNETH MUBU MP AND DR WILMOT JAMES MP, DA PARLIAMENTARY LEADER, DA SHADOW MINISTER OF INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS AND SOUTH AFRICAN REPRESENTATIVE TO THE SADC PARLIAMENTARY FORUM, OCTOBER 22 2009
A roadmap to democracy in Zimbabwe
The Democratic Alliance is today launching a ‘roadmap to democracy' for Zimbabwe . We believe, if a properly functioning and legitimate democracy is to be established in Zimbabwe , then a new course needs to be plotted.
A summary of the roadmap follows the statement, for the complete document
That course needs to be objective and neutral and not determined by the vested interests of any of the parties in Zimbabwe . We believe our roadmap meets these criteria: it is a neutral course of action which, if agreed to, allows for a clear path towards the establishment of a democracy.
We believe this to not only be in the interest of the Zimbabwean people, who have suffered for decades at the hand of a repressive undemocratic regime, which has held their interests to ransom and systematically eroded away their democratic rights, but in the interest of South Africa, the SADC region and Africa more broadly. Only if Zimbabwe is restored as a democratic state, can it recover and grow.
The roadmap is simple. It consists of four broad steps:
- An agreement to hold fresh elections;
- The formation of an interim government;
- The formation of a new constitution;
- Democratic elections.
These steps, no doubt appear obvious, but it is the way in which they are implemented and the particular processes followed in making each of them a reality that will determine whether or not Zimbabwe succeeds. The devil, as they say, is in the details.
The accompanying document sets out many of these requirements in some detail. Two points are particularly important:
- First, Robert Mugabe cannot be part of the process. The position he currently holds is illegitimate and, as a result, his interests and the interests of those close to him have compromised the current arrangement. One cannot build a democracy on a series of first principles that are fundamentally tainted. The roadmap proposes that an agreement be reached whereby Robert Mugabe willingly steps down from power. This exit package in turn, will only work if there is a united front behind it. Those inside and outside Zimbabwe must agree that this is the right course of action and unite behind this purpose.
- Second, and in much the same fashion, should the roadmap be accepted, it is essential that all parties back up their commitment to it with action. This action must centre around the sustained use of all mechanisms at the disposal of the regional and international community to achieve its purpose. Ultimately, if the roadmap is adopted, and it is subsequently sabotaged, as a final and last resort, we believe the regional and international community must be willing to resort to force, to achieve the desired outcome.
It immediately becomes apparent the critical role that South Africa will play in this process.
Not only does it need to use every mechanism at its disposal to get the roadmap adopted, but it then needs to be willing to use what leverage it has to make sure it is adhered to. It needs to lead on this matter. The time for accommodating the undemocratic behaviour of Robert Mugabe and Zanu-PF is over and the focus needs to shift from appeasement, to outcomes.
It is important too, to explain the role that the Global Political Agreement (GPA) will play in this process. The DA believes the GPA is the only mechanism able to negotiate (in conjunction with the regional and international community) an exit package for Robert Mugabe and the other steps contained in the roadmap. We believe this mechanism should shift its focus from attempts to agree to a constitution that is contested and warped by political interests, towards a series of steps that will result in a constitution that best represents the will of the Zimbabwean people.
One final point is worth making: The roadmap we present today is an ideal. It is similar to the ideas that underpin a constitution. It is not an analysis but a plan of action. In this sense it is only as strong as the political will vested in it.
This is the second such roadmap proposed by the Democratic Alliance. In 2003 former leader of the DA Tony Leon proposed a similar such idea. That, however, was before the last round of elections and the creation of the GPA. The difference between then and now is two fold, on the one hand, in the GPA, we have a mechanism through which a roadmap can be worked towards and adopted; on the other hand, the situation in Zimbabwe has continued to deteriorate and the suffering of the people in Zimbabwe has intensified.
Now, more than ever, we need a clear plan of action on Zimbabwe . We need the regional and international community to unite and we need the South African government to play a defining role in this regard. We believe this roadmap is the mechanism around which those with an interest in seeing a democratic Zimbabwe should unite and, perhaps more importantly, we believe it is the only credible and acceptable way to establish a functioning and legitimate democracy in a country that has had its democratic dignity systematically eroded away.
Summary of the DA's Roadmap - for the complete document click here
A ROADMAP to DEMOCRACY IN ZIMBABWE
Requirements for the success of this roadmap
The main requirement for the success of this roadmap is the commitment of every
stakeholder involved in this process to adhere to the agreements, timeframes and
milestones that are stipulated within this roadmap.
This roadmap is a vision not only for Zimbabwe but for the Southern African
Development community (SADC) region, Africa as a whole, as well as the international community. It is only as strong as the political will of all these parties and it is therefore essential for political parties in Zimbabwe , South Africa , SADC, the African Union (AU) and the international community - including both the United Nations (UN) and the European Union (EU) to buy into this vision and to agree to the stipulations and resolutions contained therein. Failure to do so will end in the collapse of any agreement.
Four steps that must be taken.
What follows is a short summary of the four steps that must be taken in order to bring the purpose of our roadmap to fruition.
STEP ONE
An agreement to hold fresh elections
There must be an agreement between all political parties in Zimbabwe to hold fresh elections. These elections must be legitimate, free and fair. They must be for the establishment of an interim government, the purpose of which is to negotiate a new constitution.
The unity government created by the Global Political Agreement (GPA) is the best mechanism to facilitate this agreement. Its structure is already in place and it can provide a suitable platform for talks and mediation between political parties so that they can reach an agreement to hold fresh elections.
A timetable for these elections, and the process for the establishment of an interim government and the subsequent drafting of a new constitution, must be established.
It must allow for the establishment of an election fund and the placement of independent party monitors.
Any party must be allowed to participate in the elections.
A condition of the fresh elections must be that Robert Mugabe not stand for re-election. An exit strategy must be put in place that offers impunity from arrest and from being convicted for any crimes of which he might be guilty.
The agreement must stipulate that the elections be overseen by the UN, working together with regional and international stakeholders.
These international and regional monitors must ensure that the elections are free and fair, that no harassment or intimidation of voters occurs, that there is no result rigging and finally that these results, if accepted by independent observers as legitimate, are accepted and respected by all participating parties.
STEP TWO
Formation of an interim government
Once free and fair elections have taken place, an interim government must be set up, based on the results of these elections, whose main purpose will be to draft a new constitution for Zimbabwe .
It is essential that clear targets as well as negotiating structures are established for this interim government in order to keep the drafting process on track.
Timelines must be set to which all parties within the interim government must strictly adhere. These timelines must be monitored by the UN, working together with the regional and international community. The timeline must stipulate the consequences that will follow, should it not be adhered to.
In preparing the ground for negotiations, the draconian laws of the past decades that have frustrated free and open dialogue should be repealed. Furthermore, the international community and more importantly the AU and SADC must play a central role when it comes to facilitating this negotiation process and putting the necessary pressure on political parties within the interim government to come to an agreement and not undermine this negotiation process by refusing to make the necessary concessions.
STEP THREE
The formation of a new constitution
The interim government must agree to a new constitution for Zimbabwe.
The new constitution must provide for an accountable and multi-party democratic dispensation; respect for the rule of law; respect for the independence of other democratic institutions; and the promotion and protection of the fundamental human rights of all Zimbabweans.
In addition, the constitutional negotiators must consult widely with civil society so that once the constitution is ratified it is "owned" by the Zimbabwean people.
The international and regional community must be encouraged and "available" to provide any assistance necessary to this process as and when required.
STEP FOUR
Democratic elections
Following the ratification of the new constitution, elections must be held to elect a new multi-party government for Zimbabwe that is deferential to this constitution and ensures that every provision contained in it is respected, promoted and protected at all times.
This new democratically elected government must ensure that all government structures and democratic institutions are setup to bring about political and economic stability as well as democratic consolidation.
A five-year election cycle must be put in place to ensure a fully functioning, effective democracy that ensures that the government in Zimbabwe is held accountable through regular elections.
These elections must be held under the authority of an Independent Electoral Commission and must be monitored by the international and regional community to ensure they are free and fair, that the results are adhered to and respected by all political parties and that any transitions occur smoothly.
Statement issued by the Democratic Alliance, October 22 2009
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