Memorandum of Understanding (MoU): Zimbabweans Have The Right To Be Informed,

by Zvidzai Ruzvidzo.

As a Zimbabwean citizen, I am very much concerned about the contents of the Memorandum of Understanding. (Understanding what?) The signing of the MoU brought some euphoria in many Zimbabweans who dreamt of a nearing end to the democratic deficit, the arrests, the torture, killings, and politically-motivated displacement of ordinary citizens in their country by Zanu PF regime. The signing of the MoU had ushered hope towards the possibility of the re-establishment of independence and the basic freedoms of the people of Zimbabwe. That euphoria is slowly dying as I think and question all things about the secret talks.

Why are the talks happening in secret with no media access to it? Who benefits from the talks? The people of Zimbabwe should not expect to benefit from anything that they are not allowed to have knowledge of. It appears as if this was a deliberate Mugabe-Mbeki ploy to extend the pain and suffering of the majority in Zimbabwe...for the umpteenth time!

I am concerned about the blackout on the information regarding the progress or lack thereof regarding the talks. The mediated talks are supposedly about Zimbabwe and if that is true why are the talks involving only a handful of people? These discussions ought to be held in the open just like all internationally-recognized mediation processes. The Lancaster House negotiations prior to independence were a perfect example of an open and transparent process.

The Lancaster House negotiations were open and the media was allowed briefings on the developments regularly. Even the then national newspaper, The Rhodesia Herald had daily updates on the developments from day one, including the final day’s information was readily available.

During the final day of the Lancaster House summit the people of Zimbabwe were paying so much attention to the developments that the Rhodesia Herald printed a rare Second Edition for the day, and the unprecedented sales were for the record books. I was young but I was interested in what was taking place in the country of my birth. To the contrary, twenty-eight years after independence we are now being told these talks about the future of Zimbabwe are being held behind closed doors. Why is that?

The citizens of Zimbabwe and other people all over the world should know what is going on. As Zimbabwe citizens we are all going to be affected by the outcomes of this negotiating process hence there is need for us to be informed. No amount of dilly-dallying can alter or obliterate the urgency and critical nature of democratic change in Zimbabwe. On March 29, the world heard what the people of Zimbabwe want.

These talks have gone for a week now but Zimbabweans are still scrounging for information as to what is really taking place.

If these talks are about the future of Zimbabwe, we demand the right to be informed now.


Zvidzai Ruzvidzo
Columbus-Ohio (614-622-04270
USA




Nicholas Nickson Mada

US based activist


Plans fail because of lack of wise counsel, but with many genuine advisers they succeed. A greedy and arrogant man like Mugabe brings trouble to his family and country, but he who hates bribes and corruption will live freely. Proverbs 15: 22-27. Therefore, I tell my fellow countrymen and ladies that the dictatorial system/regime of Robert Mugabe has waged war on the people of Zimbabwe. The people of Zimbabwe must wage war back on the dictator's system/regime. The time is now and only now before the complete destruction of Zimbabwe by Robert Mugabe and his selfish goons in Zanu PF.