Open Letter from the President of the Movement for Democratic Change, Mr. Morgan Tsvangirai, on the Signing of the Memorandum of Understanding
July 22nd, 2008
My fellow Zimbabweans,
Yesterday I signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Mr. Robert Mugabe and Prof. Arthur Mutambara. This document commits our three parties to a framework of negotiations that will take place over the next two weeks.
I know that in signing this Memorandum of Understanding, I represent the hopes and aspirations of millions of Zimbabweans to end this crisis as soon as possible. Honest, hardworking Zimbabweans who want nothing more than a life that offers peace, security, economic opportunity, democracy and social and personal development. This is a responsibility that the Movement for Democratic Change and I take with the utmost seriousness.
This Memorandum offers the most tangible opportunity in the past ten years to improve the lives of our fellow citizens. But, our signatures alone do not guarantee that we will be able to make the most of this opportunity. Our signatures on this document must be accompanied by acknowledging some very basic truths:
- We are Zimbabweans who want only what is best for our country and our citizens. Our shared goal is best achieved in a climate of tolerance and stability, not divisiveness and anger. We believe that wanting a more democratic future or expressing an alternate political opinion should be viewed as a right and not as a declaration of war. No one has a monopoly on patriotism.
- We believe that the will of the people is the fundamental basis on which to ground our negotiations.
- We acknowledge that these negotiations can only proceed and succeed if the rule of law is restored, if people are able to go about their business in safety, if the public media refrain from using hate speech to polarize the community, if the persecution of MDC MPs, members and supporters ceases, and if humanitarian organizations are allowed once again to provide aid to the millions of Zimbabweans in need of assistance.
For my part, I call on all Zimbabweans who believe in the ideals of democracy as espoused by the MDC, to continue to abide by the rule of law, to live in a spirit of tolerance and inclusiveness in the knowledge that if we work together in this spirit, a better future lies ahead and justice will prevail.
Yesterday, we committed ourselves to a process that presents the framework in which we can strive to find a solution to the Zimbabwe crisis. This is just the first step on a journey whose duration and success is dependent on the sincerity and good faith of all parties involved.
In the spirit of a shared vision to heal our nation, I call upon my fellow signatories to join me in putting aside our differences and acknowledging that we have a responsibility to the people of Zimbabwe to show true leadership and to find agreement that will bring an end to the violence, polarisation, poverty and fear in which we have all been living for too long. Our fellow countrymen and women look to us to find common ground that will allow us, as a nation, to chart a democratic path forward.
We must acknowledge that the outcome of these negotiations will not be acceptable until it has been endorsed by Zimbabwean civil society, the trade unions and the people themselves. We are not here to form an elitist pact, but rather to represent the hopes and aspirations of each citizen and every stakeholder. This is my commitment to our partners who have struggled with us for a more democratic form of government.
To the people of Zimbabwe I say, have courage, be strong, better days lie ahead.
The heart of the entire world is broken by what has happened in our country, and your bravery is praised among all peoples everywhere. The world stands ready to join us in rebuilding our nation and restoring what has been lost, once our peace and freedom are re-established.
May God bless Zimbabwe.
Morgan Tsvangirai
President MDC
(via an MDC Press Release)
July 22nd, 2008 12:59
Hear Hear! Well said Morgan!
There is nothing as sad as a broken heart. And when it is a nation’s broken heart it is even more sad. May providence provide you, your fellow negotiators and mediators, with every strength, courage, and conviction, in the mending and healing process ahead.
July 22nd, 2008 13:20
Morgan’s point about hate speech in the public media is well made. Neither Ian Smith nor Robert Mugabe could have got where they did without their governments having total control of the electronic media.
Government control of the media has been the curse of both Rhodesia and Zimbabwe, allowing past regimes to drip-feed propaganda and lies to a people starved of the truth.
In any future dispensation, all TV, radio and press must be totally independent and free from political and state control.
Politicians need to learn that criticism and free speech, no matter how unpalatable, are the protectors of democracy .
July 22nd, 2008 13:37
These are clear and unambiguous words from a true son of the soil. I abide and go by these learned words coming from an illustrious and peace loving Zimbabwean. I listened to the man as he gave some breathetaking and painstaking remarks from this man, it was really enthralling and I believe that all peace loving Zimbabweans would find solace and comfort from the sentiments of this man. One disappointing aspect about the agrrement is that it left out other segments of the society especially the civic society which i believe equally pay an important rile in he political life of Zimbvabwe. This anomaaly should be addressed to use Tsvangirai’s words no person has monopoly for sovereignty, equally no single political party can ably prescribe a cure for the ills stalking the country. This isue must be approached fom a participatory point of view.
July 22nd, 2008 14:36
There is something wrong with this whole deal – beware of the spin doctoring. Quotes from above epitomize the failings –
‘We believe that the will of the people is the fundamental basis on which to ground our negotiations.’ (stating one ‘believes’ invites arguable debate for a start).
‘We are not here to form an elitist pact, but rather to represent the hopes and aspirations of each citizen and every stakeholder.’ (When a politician states something is so, read that it is not).
Regardless of my bracketed comments, where is the referendum, where is the mandate. Who has asked the people, when and what is their response. I see no poll, especially from MDC, asking the PEOPLE of Zimbabwe what the consensus is. The problem is that any opposition to the dictatorial Mugabe, and all his party has done and stood for is being eroded, and I would be concerned where the checks and balances of good governance will come from when the will of politcal patrons alone compromise, supercede and nullify them.
Why is Gordon Brown unpopular? Two basic reasons – (1) he was appointed without the say of the British voters, and (2) referendums promised have failed to materialize. Essentially, PEOPLE have been ignored in the final outcome and a govenment of a particular brand has been foisted upon them. And the same process of ignoring the supporters of (any) government, and unilaterally and groundlessly stating that politics is acting in the interests of those very people, is happening in Zimbabwe – again.
It’s all wrong. MDC should be governing, and ZANU should be in opposition, checking on them and exposing where they (will) fail – as does (or did) MDC with a ZANU government. Now we’ll have two parties unified in sweeping dirt under the carpet and acting without constraint.
July 22nd, 2008 14:51
I have been following events in Zimbabwe, and almost all the speeches made by the leaders of different parties. Not even a single day did I hear or read about Morgan Tsvangirai using hate speech or language that is discrimanatory. I salute a leader who has for a long time been preaching love and peace and I want to say to all Zimbabweans let us do the same. Let us focus on rebuilding our nation. And to the leaders of the different parties, please committ yourselves to what you have agreed on as you signed the MoU. We want to come back home. Thank you all!
July 22nd, 2008 15:25
Dont count your chickens before they are hatched and let us not raise our hopes too soon. i do not trust the old man, he can summersault on his decisions anytime.
July 22nd, 2008 16:25
Anyone who has faith in anything signed by Robert Mugabe is deceiving him or herself. This is yet another ploy. In the meantime, Zimbabweans will continue to suffer.
July 22nd, 2008 16:36
The alternatives remain if this does not lead to a fair peace. But why on earth would my brother and sister Zimbabweans not try this path? I would ask Skepticus and Malcolm to calm their hatred and suspicion, as justified as both emotions are, and give this thing a chance.
A friend of Zimbabwe and son of the Congo,
Douglas Uhlinger
Attorney at Law
Chicago, Illinois
July 22nd, 2008 17:52
FOR THE FIRST TIME IN A LONG TIME IN OUR COUNTRY WE HAVE HOPE.LET US ALL ZIMBABWEANS GIVE THESE TALKS A CHANCE PERIOD.
July 22nd, 2008 18:18
A Congolese (?) lawyer in the States makes accusations of expressions of hate to a Zimbabwean – I can’t speak for Skepticus. I recall the Congolese have a pechant for topping out of favour leaders.
July 22nd, 2008 18:25
Have we not all heard many speeches from politicians? Compare their choice of words, with those of Morgan Tsvangirai. There are not many in this class – this is the voice of a true leader, in the league of Nelson Mandela.
God bless the MDC leadership.
July 22nd, 2008 18:57
Malcolm,
I regret that I used the word hatred, because neither you nor Skepticus expressed such an emotion in your comments. I was attempting to refer to the broader Zimbabwean population, which has suffered such horrendous crimes against them in their struggle for freedom, and among whom there must be feelings of hatred and fear and revenge.
I happen to be an American citizen, although born in the Congo of a father who was also born there. But it is no more fair to ascribe the Congo’s sad political history to me as it would be to ascribe Zimbabwe’s to you.
To the extent you are telling foreigners to keep out of Zimbabwean affairs, remember that many Zimbabweans are appealing to the world to intervene or at least to help them put pressure on those who oppress them. I happen to agree that the solution should come from within your country, but I also favor any pressure my government and other governments around the world are willing to put on your current leaders.
I would hope that you would welcome international dialogue, especially when the speaker supports your cause wholeheartedly.
All the best,
Douglas Uhlinger
July 23rd, 2008 14:29
Yes, time has finally came when we can sort our differences ammicably. I personaly would say, go on Morgan you are in the right track, to build up the once upon a time, bread basket of Africa.
July 23rd, 2008 21:42
Morgan and the MDC leadership have never let us Zimbabweans down yet and I have faith that they will have the sense to recognise and be alert to any of Mugabe’s famous tricks. They have survived and gained strength and are getting so smart at out-manouvering the old tyrant and his evil cronies. They have played the game perfectly up to this time, have evolved through terrible hardships into a formidable political force and won’t be sucked into anything they know their supporters won’t accept. Its a great shame the deceitful and dishonest Welshman has to be part of the talks and it means the MDCT guys have to be extra vigilant but they are up to it – God be with them to guide them through the next two weeks.
July 23rd, 2008 22:31
Morgan Tsvangirai is the living proof that no prison cell, no forced migration, no violence, no massacres, not even attempted political annihilation could ever break the spirit of a people yearning to be free. And he is proving that while repression can subjugate, it can never silence; while hearts can be broken, hope is unbreakable; while lives can be lost, the dream could never die. As the prophet Amos said: ‘Justice will roll down like a river and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream.’
July 23rd, 2008 00:47
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