“You have been clear. We will not betray you” : Statement by Morgan Tsvangirai to the people of Zimbabwe
Statement to the People of Zimbabwe
13 August 2008
My Fellow Zimbabweans:
The Movement for Democratic Change has always been a people’s project. We seek nothing but the best interests of the people of our country.
Tragically, Zimbabwe has become one of the worst man-made humanitarian disasters of a new and hopeful century. At least two million Zimbabweans have already fled our homeland. An estimated half million Zimbabweans have already died of starvation, malnutrition and preventable disease.
Because of the failed policies of ZANU PF, five million Zimbabweans now face starvation and famine. We cannot allow this to happen. All of us must provide decisive leadership.
My Fellow Zimbabweans, on March 29 you voted for change. You have been clear. We will not betray you. In this respect, the MDC entered these negotiations full of hope. We put aside our grievances and reached out to ZANU PF for the good of the people.
However, any dialogue to save our country must take place in an atmosphere of mutual respect and tolerance underpinned by our shared patriotism and desire to stop the suffering, and build a prosperous future for our children.
Let me be clear, MDC entered these negotiations seeking a transformative and healing solution to the deep-seated political and economic crisis facing our country. Our objective is simple – a peaceful resolution to the crisis that respects the will of the people.
The MDC remains committed to participating in any meaningful and genuine dialogue that urgently moves this process forward.
We knew negotiations would be difficult, but a resolution that represents anything other than the will of the Zimbabwean people would be a disaster for our country. We are committed to a solution that recognizes that the people spoke on the 29th of March 2008 - a solution that ensures tangible deliverables are put on the table of Zimbabweans. A solution must thus put the people first, not leadership positions and titles.
Our members of parliament and councilors, indeed Zimbabweans of all political persuasions, are part of the transformative process. We need a government that transfers power to the elected representatives of the people to carry out the people’s mandate for change.
In the immediate days ahead, we have a historic opportunity to choose between hope or hatred, cooperation or conflict, prosperity or poverty, the will of the people or selfish interests. In short, we seek a new Zimbabwe that will provide food, jobs, dignity and healing to all our people.
To accomplish this, we need to look forward together. Only by working together can we transform our society. Only by working together can we rebuild our nation.
Although there are many dimensions to our crisis, there is one immediate and urgent step that is required:
Our people continue to face a profound humanitarian crisis. We know you are suffering. Without further delay, we are demanding that NGOs be allowed to resume humanitarian assistance – distributing food, medicines and life-saving assistance. This destructive policy of banning humanitarian assistance can be reversed with one letter.
The Zimbabwean problem is an African problem that requires an African solution. This weekend’s SADC Heads of State Summit in Johannesburg is yet another opportunity for our African brothers and sisters to offer us a hand at this decisive moment. In his role as facilitator and as incoming SADC Chairman, President Thabo Mbeki must insist on ensuring that the Zimbabwean issue is put to rest. Most importantly, President Mbeki must ensure that humanitarian assistance is resumed immediately. In addition, civic society that has been barred must be allowed to operate.
We hope that as facilitator, President Mbeki will ensure that the issues that continue to divide us at the negotiation table are resolved as soon as possible. Creativity, leadership and vision is essential in this delicate stage.
In closing, let me reiterate three points – first, we have always been committed to dialogue as the only way to resolve the current political impasse; second, we remain committed to reaching an agreement that upholds the will of the people; and third, we remain urgently concerned about the humanitarian crisis and ask for President Mbeki and SADC’s immediate assistance in securing the resumption of aid to our starving, sick and dying people.
I thank you.
May God Bless Zimbabwe.
August 13th, 2008 18:43
PERFECT. This is the response the Zimbabwean people need.
No sordid deals, No shady pacts. Just a recognition that “Enough is enough”
God Bless and Good Luck
August 13th, 2008 19:07
Nervous, very nervous. His points are good and valid and he is speaking like the president he is, but is he taking a long way round to telling us why he may have chosen to compromise? I may be paranoid and I pray I’m wrong and speculation is pointless but……?
August 13th, 2008 19:09
Very direct and true. However, if Mbeki can’t deliver on Saturday, the SADC should, if it is at all worth its salt, tell him to resign from the mediation process and find one or more who can deliver. Trying and failing, for whatever reason is not acceptable.
Mbeki either acts impartially and honourably, or he should be dismissed. Surely even he realises that this is bigger that any duty he feels he owes Mugabe? I also think that the UN should air lift aid into the country. Even Mugabe wouldn’t shoot down planes carrying food and medicines. Or would he?
August 14th, 2008 04:49
Yes, this is perfect. Morgan is right to throw the responsibility for the humanitarian crisis back where it belongs - on the shoulders of Mugabe’s illegal junta and the SADC which has failed spectacularly to prevent this crisis unfolding.
The Zimbabwean people did not go through all this suffering just to see the guilty parties orchestrate a political whitewash job.
August 14th, 2008 08:38
No agreements need to be signed for Mugabe to ‘illustrate’ right now that he, like Morgan, is putting his people first: allow immediate aid in the form of food and medicines, and call a halt to the ongoing violence.
Surely all around the negotiating table can agree to that urgently needed action as a starting basis for building any future?
Mugabe has called a halt to violence against the population once before, if you may recall, which was so impressive that he was then given the whole country!! This time of course such an outcome is no longer on offer. But even a future titular position would pass down the collective gullet with less disgust if he were to show a smidgen of concern for the needs of ‘his’ people.
Note Mbeki now acknowledges some needs in the country!
August 14th, 2008 11:24
MDC talking to Anglo American about Zimbabwe
Obviously ordo ab chao is the word here…
Anglo American continues to thrive under the circumstances and we all know Anglo American has the clout to challenge Zanu PF for good.
Are they or any company ethical enough that they would withdraw on the strength of agreements that would restore their concessions once Zanu PF hands over power to a government that reflects the will of the people
Or they like the international community and others hide behind envisaged impact?
The only moral authority that can dismiss Zanu PF is the Pope but “obvious creeds” forbid him from taking a moral stand against a practicing Jesuit - Robert Mugabe
A clear image for humanity of how the “new world order” ushers it’s way in through the mantra ordo ab chao
So much for the right human relationships or human rights punted
So much for the positions without substantive actions against all governments that aid or support Zanu PF by the UK, EU and USA - trade interests and other power interests are more important in this “new world order”
The struggle against Mugabe has become religious in the sense of “pan” evils and fears represented by Mugabe, Zanu PF, MDC Mutabara and his JOC against moral good represented by the will of the people of Zimbabwe
It would be unfortunate if Mugabe prevails a day, a hour or a minute further further…
Let the world show humanity through Zimbabwe what to expect of a “new world order”…!!!!
August 14th, 2008 13:13
What has happened to the additional parties as per the MOU, i.e. the UN envoy and the AU representative? You don’t hear anything about them in recent days.
Although Morgan probably entered the discussions knowing that the odds would be heavily stacked against him, he must not let himself be hoodwinked into a deal that is not what the people want. Mbeki and Mugabe must not be allowed to hoodwink the AU into accepting a non-democratic result. A face-saving exercise for those two will solve nothing. The rest of Africa will soon realise if democracy is compromised.