ZIM-UK Constitution Process Moves On

By Taurainashe Manonge

The UK based constitutional taskforce is moving on with plans to reach out to Zimbabweans living in Britain and Ireland and has unveiled an outreach programme aimed at initiating discussions and securing submissions in the ongoing controversial constitutional process currently taking place in Zimbabwe.

Key to the whole process is the collection of data as well as submissions from organisations and individuals of Zimbabwean decent in the UK and Ireland and this shall be facilitated by the taskforce secretariat through civic organisations that signed up to the Forest Gate agreement of 24 October 2009.

Participants attending the Constitutional task force meeting this weekend were told that regardless of the current uncertainties surrounding the whole constitutional process it is in the interest of those in the Diaspora to be involved in order to show that they are a constituency that needs to contribute to the rebuilding process of Zimbabwe.

Addressing the taskforce was Gabriel Shumba of the Zimbabwe Exiles Forum, also a Human rights lawyer, who was adamant that regardless of the opposing views regarding the process and authenticity of the process abstaining from the process is like postponing a critical issue that will still need to be dealt with.

Shumba outlined that it is critical for the Diaspora to harness their effort and come up with a clear stance even if their experiences are different but a common position is vital in order for the government to come up with policy on those in the Diaspora.

“Presently the government has not tabled any policy for those in the Diaspora and even under the Global Political Agreement there is nothing to show that the Diaspora can participate in the drafting of a constitution. That goes in some way to show how there is need for the Diaspora to be involved and not just spectate.”

“Its no longer a case of whether or not we should be involved its now critical to use this constitutional process as a vehicle to let the policy makers and Zimbabweans Know that those in the Diaspora are organised and have issues that need to be looked at as well”

He went on to propose that effective collaboration between Zimbabweans in the Diaspora from all continents is key to ensure an effective campaign that cannot be ignored by those in Zimbabwe.

A Website to facilitate discussions and regular updates on the work of the taskforce has been set up and this will provide useful resources for the entire constitutional process.

Civic organisations will now report back to their constituencies and organise themselves on how to make submissions to the constitutional themes that have been put in place by the Parliamentary Select committee.  A series of conferences will take place in the various regions of the UK where discussions on the critical issues will take place before the penultimate conference that will lead to the final draft.

Media and Communications department

Council of Zimbabwe Christian Leaders UK