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IN an effort to contribute
towards peace building in a continent perennially dogged by conflicts, the
Centre for Peace Initiatives in Africa (CPIA) last week convened a four-day
annual review conference in Vumba to brainstorm on conflict prevention and
resolution.
Attended by political leaders, the clergy, members of the army, the Electoral Supervisory Commission and a number of interested organisations and individuals, the workshop held frank discussions on the manifestations of conflicts in Zimbabwe and how they could be prevented. In his opening remarks, CPIA executive director Dr Leonard Kapungu said after spending 36 years at the United Nations dealing with conflict management and resolution, he felt inspired to start an institution dealing specifically with issues of peace. "The centre brings together people representing different points of view for discussion. "It believes that peace is enhanced if citizens are engaged in national dialogue in African countries that are in conflict," said Dr Kapungu. Judging by the frank discussions and the composition of those in attendance, it was clear that Zimbabweans from all dimensions of life desired to live in peace and tranquility. Although a number of issues touching on violence, elections and political stability in Burundi were discussed, participants unanimously agreed that locals of an individual state should be the principal architects in resolving their own conflicts. The need for locals to take centre-stage in resolving internal conflicts was aptly summarised by the secretary-general of the Sadc Parliamentary Forum, Dr Kasuka Mutukwa, when he pointed out that there has been an exacerbation of problems in countries where foreign players had been involved. "In the pre-colonial times, African societies had no prisons in dealing with deviant characters. "This means that they had their own ways of dealing with conflicts and we need to derive inspiration from that heritage and realise that we have the potential and capacity to deal with our problems," said Dr Mutukwa. He said a commitment to peace in Africa was a must and overdue because Africans have suffered from conflicts for too long. Dr Mutukwa said a commitment to peace demands enhanced regional co-operation in conflict prevention and management and non-militaristic capacities to assist African countries in building, keeping and restoring peace. He commended Dr Kapungu for starting CPIA saying that peace was a pre-requisite for human and social development both at national and regional levels. "The setting up of a home conceived centre for peace for Africa by Africans is both novel, but it is proof that we have the talent and the capacity given the wealth of our human and natural resources," Dr Mutukwa said. He urged southern African parliaments to promote peace by focusing on reforming electoral legislation and systems and ensure equitable distribution of resources. Zanu-PF secretary for information and publicity Dr Nathan Shamuyarira told participants that the existence of a democratic milieu had assisted in maintaining peace and stability in the country. He said a democratic environment has been enhanced through the holding of democratic elections after every five years, the national reconciliation policy announced by the Government soon after independence and the existence of an independent judiciary. He said Zimbabwe had actively contributed in the maintenance of peace in the region. "We have supported UN operations in Somalia, in DRC, Liberia and elsewhere. We are happy with development of the African Union�s capacity to intervene in situations of internal conflict," said Dr Shamuyarira. He said Zanu-PF had brought democracy through the liberation struggle and was annoyed by the MDC�s assertions that there was no democracy in the country. On the other hand, MDC legislator for Glen Norah Honourable Priscilla Misihairabwi-Mushonga who was speaking on behalf of the opposition party�s spokesperson Mr Paul Themba Nyathi said the holding of elections was not an end into itself. She said that most people thought that the June 2000 general elections were to bring solutions to the problems that the country was facing but this was not the case. She bemoaned the arrest of MDC MPs by the police saying the arrests were politically motivated. Mrs Misihairabwi-Mushonga challenged participants to come up with recommendations that would address the problems that the country was enmeshed in. "We don�t seem to have urgency in coming up with solutions to address manifestations of conflict already existing in the country. "We need urgent solutions otherwise we might become another Somalia and I don�t think we need that kind of situation to prevail in Zimbabwe," said Hon Misiharabwi-Mushonga. United Nations Information Centre executive director Dr Christine Koener, who is also a board member of the CPIA commended the organisation for convening the workshop, which she said had managed to bring to the same table people of diverse background. She said UNIC has been supportive of CPIA since its inception in 2001 because it is envisaged that the organisation will play a significant role in conflict resolution and management. Dr Koener also hailed recommendations that were passed at the workshop which include the need to develop an all inclusive participatory approach towards peace-building, the need for a code of conduct for political parties or candidates with disqualification rules or penalties for name calling or mudslinging. It is hoped that the series of meetings that the organisation is going to hold with various stakeholders including ordinary people in some outlying areas would help in conscientising people of the need for maintaining peace and stability. CPIA is spreading its tentacles not only in Zimbabwe but also regionally. Already it has a branch in Botswana and there are plans to open other branches in other countries in the region. The Mulindwas
communication group
"With Yoweri Museveni, Uganda is in anarchy" |
