Zimbabwe needs a credible mediator

BERNARD MPOFU

The MDC-Alliance has said Zimbabwe needs a mediator with international backing to broker talks between Zanu PF and the opposition as tensions rise in the country due to a rising cost of living and a surge in fuel prices.

Zimbabwe economy is floundering as seen by quickening inflation, high unemployment levels, a weakening surrogate currency and fuel price hikes.

This week, the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions embarked on three-day mass stay aways that resulted in the disruption of business activities in most urban centres. Government then ordered mobile phone operators and internet service providers to switch of connectivity amid concerns that social media platforms were fuelling the demonstrations. Reports show that at least five people died from the demonstrations.

MDC-Alliance spokesperson Jacob Mafume on Wednesday told Business Times that dialogue between the country’s main political parties could help ease the tensions. “We have maintained that we need dialogue and this dialogue should deal with the political and economic crisis in the country. Soon after elections (MDC-Alliance) president Nelson Chamisa wrote to (president) Emmerson Mnangagwa highlighting that there was need for dialogue,” Mafume said

“Any person who is going to broker the talks should have sufficient credibility and enforcement powers. This person should be backed by the international community for this dialogue to be progressive. If the broker has no international backing, this could be an exercise in futility.”

Last week government more than doubled the fuel price as supplies of the c o m m o d i t y remain erratic. This triggered public outrage. Zanu PF this week said it was open to dialogue but wants the opposition to recognise Mnangagwa’s legitimacy.

Following the widely contested 2008 elections, regional bloc SADC assigned former South Africa president Thabo Mbeki to broker talks between Zanu PF and the MDC. This came after the opposition party won the first round of elections although the margin was not enough to form the next government. The party later pulled out of the presidential runoff citing escalating politically-motivated violence. The talks later led to the formation of an inclusive government which governed the country from 2009 to 2013.

Last December, Kgalema Motlanthe, who chaired a commission of enquiry into the post election violence after the July 30 elections advised Mnangagwa to engage in dialogue with his rivals. Zanu PF said it was still considering the recommendations of the commission. Six people died while several others were injured after the army opened fire on rioting protesters who were challenging the election outcome. Mnangagwa won 50,6 percent of the vote while Chamisa garnered 44,3 percent.

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