Introduction
The National Peace Convention, hosted by the Peace Building Sub-Committee of the Crisis Coalition on 13-14 December 2002 in Bulawayo, presented a unique opportunity for civil society actors and, particularly, church leaders from all denominations, to meet across their divisions and develop unified positions on the current multi-layered crisis in Zimbabwe. Out of this convention, church leaders were inspired to work together, and committed to take an active stance in resolving the problems plaguing Zimbabwe. Since then, they have taken a leading role in encouraging the two major political parties to come to the dialogue table and settle their differences.
In a parallel effort, leaders in the broader civil society movement have also recognised the need to take proactive steps to ensure that the voice of civil society, and the ordinary citizens of Zimbabwe is not lost in efforts to reach a political solution.
On 9 May, the Coordinating Committee of the Crisis Coalition held a strategic think tank meeting to discuss then impending "talks about talks," and to chart the way for a unified civil society position on dialogue and transition in Zimbabwe. This meeting recommended a stakeholder conference and a broad process of consultations to solicit inputs and gain support for this position.
On 16 May, these recommendations were en dorsed by a Heads of Civil Society Organisations meeting, which agreed to hold a stakeholders conference as matter of urgency. In addition, this grouping recommended changes to "the yellow document," a draft position paper on dialogue and transition. It urged the wide publica tion of this document in the press, and organisations committed them selves to disseminating and discussing this paper among their members.
Consistent with these recommendations, consultations were held in Bulawayo and Mutare, in which church and civic leaders endorsed "the yellow paper" and discussed the implications of this endorsement on their activities.
Following these consultations, on 5 July, the Crisis Coali tion hosted a Stakeholders Conference to discuss issues on the current Dialogue between the ZANU PF Government and the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC).
Over 175 representatives from different civic society organisations from throughout Zimbabwe attended the meeting4. Debate on "the yellow paper" enabled stakeholders to consider diplomatic initiatives to seek a solution to the Zimbabwean crisis that has ensued since the controversial Zimbabwe presidential poll of March 2002.
The diplomatic initiatives that are currently taking place and spearheaded by South Africa have called for "reconciliation, working together and national unity in Zimbabwe" and dialogue between the ZANU PF Government and the main opposition party, the MDC. Accordingly, the crisis in Zimbabwe had been narrowed down to a crisis between MDC and Zanu PF political elites.
It is the opinion of the Crisis Coalition that the crisis in Zimbabwe is too complex, and too much of an issue which directly affects the majority of Zimbabweans, for it to be reduced to a fight between two party political elites. Rather, there are other voices which have a say in the present Zimbabwe crisis and these should be heard. Civil Society organisations represent a major voice in the Zimbabwe political scenario, and the citizens which make up their constituents are the same citizens which make up the electorate which chooses political representation. Thus, civil society has an obligation to advance its views on the current Dialogue and the proposed Transitional Government in what ever form.
|
