MDC not part of inclusive government until outstanding issues are resolved

Opinion
November 21, 2008 | By Nelson Chamisa | © zimbabwemetro.com ⋅


The MDC would like to dismiss distortions and fabrications being peddled by the state media in reference to the MDC’s position regarding the formation of an inclusive government.

On Friday 15 November 2008, the MDC’s supreme decision making body, the National Council met in Harare and unanimously resolved to reject the SADC Troika’s resolution and ruling.

However, the state media especially The Herald and ZBC are channeling falsehoods claiming that the MDC had resolved to join Zanu PF in the inclusive government regardless of the defects and deficiencies in the agreement as currently obtaining.

This statement by the state media is totally misleading and the MDC is concerned that the state media is in violation of the global political agreement signed on 15 September 2008, which states that the public media should provide balanced and fair coverage to all political parties.

The misrepresentation of facts by the state media is very mischievous as the people of Zimbabwe would like to know the truth concerning the issue on the formation of an inclusive government.

On Friday the National Council met and rejected SADC Troika’s resolution of 28 October 2008 seeking to erroneously reduce the sticking points to only the Ministry of Home Affairs.

The council also resolved that in the event of an illegimate government being formed by Zanu PF, the MDC would not be part to the same and will peacefully, constitutionally and democratically mobilize
and campaign against the illegitimate government.

For the avoidance of doubt the National Council resolutions clearly stated that the MDC shall participate in a new government only if the following issues are resolved;

1. The equitability and fairness in the allocation and distribution of all ministerial portfolios
2. The equitable allocation of Provincial Governors
3. The legal passage of Constitutional Amendment No.19
4. The constitution and composition of the National Security Council
5. Correction of mischievous omission in the agreement signed on the
15th of September 2008
6. The appointment of senior government officials such as Permanent
Secretaries and Ambassadors

MDC Information and Publicity Department.