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Zimbabweâs Leaders Prepare New Constitution Ahead of Vote

   Peter Clottey 16 June 2010
   zimbabwe_mugabe_file

Photo: AP

   Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe

   A  Zimbabwean  political  analyst  told VOA Zimbabweans appear cynical
   following  the  announcement  that  President  Robert Mugabe and Prime
   Minister  Morgan  Tsvangirai  initiated  a  joint drive to draft a new
   constitution Wednesday.

   However, Rejoice Mgwenya predicted Zimbabweans will go to the polls to
   choose  their  leaders  in a democratic vote after the constitution is
   finalized.

   He  also said supporters of President Mugabeâs ZANU-PF party are often
   complicit  in using violence to intimidate opponents ahead of previous
   elections.

   âOur  biggest  problem  with (President) Mugabe is that the culture of
   violence   is   endemic,  itâs  within  the  DNA  of  their  political
   architecture.  So,  we wonât be surprised a few days down the line, we
   get  back  (to)  the good-old rhythm of violenceâ¦We(âre) going to see
   whether  he  (Mr.  Mugabe)  is  going to get rid of that strategy,â he
   said.

   At  the  launch  of  the  draft  constitutional process Wednesday, the
   former  bitter  rivals  called for tolerance saying there was need for
   supporters  of  Mr.  Mugabeâs  ZANU-PF and Prime Minister Tsvangiraiâs
   Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) to avoid violence.

   Local media quoted Mr. Mugabe as saying âwe are now a sovereign people
   uninhibited  by  anyone else except those who want to interfere in our
   domestic  affairs who are doing it illegallyâ¦We will allow the people
   to debate the nature of the government they want. We must also look at
   various  practices  elsewhere  and  allow  the  people  to  make their
   choice⦠ We  are  working  as  three entities in the main. We are the
   drivers."

   As part of the constitutional process, officials of political parties,
   as well as civil society groups, are scheduled to collect the views of
   Zimbabweans.

   Former  opposition  leader Tsvangirai agreed to participate in a unity
   government   with   President   Mugabe   after  the  Southern  African
   Development  Community  (SADC) brokered a peace agreement to end years
   of escalating political tensions.

   The  accord, also known as the Global Political Agreement (GPA), calls
   for a new constitution ahead of future elections.

   President  Mugabe  has been Zimbabweâs leader since the country gained
   independence from colonial power Britain in 1980.

   Analyst  Mgwenya  said  it is unlikely that President Mugabeâs ZANU-PF
   will relinquish power anytime soon.

   âHaving been in power for 30 years, all the systems of governance they
   have  been  ZANU-fied  (controlled).  Look  at  the way they have been
   reacting  to  problems. Itâs going to take a bit of a time for them to
   accept the culture of defeat because a new constitutional dispensation
   is going to spell doom for them,â Mgwenya said.

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