Talks or Chaos – Zimbabwe Vigil Diary
The Vigil is heartened by signs that people are beginning to accept that an all-embracing national dialogue is the only way forward to prevent chaos in Zimbabwe.
A year after the rigged elections, the emptiness of Mugabe’s promises has been laid bare as the economy spirals inexorably downwards.
But as the rival parties fracture there is growing recognition from elements in Zanu PF that they need help from the West – and particularly from the diaspora – if Zimbabwe is to be turned around. Zanu PF spokesman Rugare Gumbo told the Daily News: ‘The economic transformation that we want to achieve requires the voice of everyone, including the opposition and civic society’.
Gumbo insisted that Tsvangirai would first have to accept the legitimacy of last July’s elections. The Vigil believes that this condition is for party rhetorical purposes and the door to talks is obviously ajar (see: Zanu PF says its ready to talk to Tsvangirai…but – https://nehandaradio.com/2014/07/09/zanu-pf-says-ready-talk-tsvangirai/, Let’s talk: Zanu PF – http://www.dailynews.co.zw/articles/2014/07/09/let-s-talk-zanu-pf).
For our part, we want to reach out to everyone and were happy to be invited to take part in a demonstration in Birmingham today organised by MDC T in the UK to draw attention to the Zimbabwe crisis.
Here is what we replied:
‘As you know we are tied up on Saturdays with our weekly protest which is now approaching its twelfth anniversary outside the Zimbabwe Embassy in London. But we would have liked to be with you and have alerted supporters in the Birmingham area to your demonstration which we support whole-heartedly. Like you, the Vigil believes last year’s elections were rigged and we cannot accept this but we are happy to work with all groups seeking a way out of the political impasse in Zimbabwe. Hope the protest gets a lot of attention.’
Thoughtful people in Zanu PF know that the party cannot manage on its own. At the same time, the opposition knows that Zanu PF will not let go. The Vigil thinks there is a narrow gap that must be widened and explored.
In our view the EU is not helping by dropping all its objections to the lack of reforms and rushing to embrace Mugabe. If anything, their supine policy will provide the Mugabe regime with a lifeline at a time when its back is against the wall – much as the Government of National Unity saved Mugabe after his electoral loss in 2008. We believe the US has taken a more principled and sensible position by refusing to accept the rigged elections while still holding out a friendly hand to Zimbabwe (see: http://www.herald.co.zw/us-thumbs-nose-at-africa-over-indaba/ – US thumbs nose at Africa over Indaba).
But if the EU really wants to pump more money into Zimbabwe they could start with Chitungwiza where more than 10% of the Zimbabwean population live in abject squalor (see: http://www.swradioafrica.com/2014/07/09/chitungwiza-engulfed-by-waste-and-filth/ – Chitungwiza engulfed by waste and filth). For their information, it’s not far from Harare so can be visited between cocktail parties.
Thanks to Joseph Tatira, Joseph Chivayo, Shylette Chipangura, Deborah Harry and Epiphania Phiri for arriving early to help set up.
For latest Vigil pictures check: http://www.flickr.com/photos/zimbabwevigil/. Please note: Vigil photos can only be downloaded from our Flickr website.
FOR THE RECORD: 22 signed the register.
