Indicating a dramatic ideological shift from the old
MDC, Mutambara, in apparent reference to the UK, blasted the west for hypocrisy
when it disowned the promise made prior to independence to provide material
support to the country following decades of colonial rule.
He was speaking
last Saturday at the Bulawayo Amphitheatre after being chosen as the president
of what is now commonly referred to as the pro-senate faction, a group that
emerged in the MDC in October last year following acute differences on whether
or not to participate in the senate elections.
The group, steered by Gibson
Sibanda and Welshman Ncube, fielded candidates that won seven seats, while the
Tsvangirai camp vehemently opposed the decision.
Britain is Zimbabwe’s former
colonial master and in 1979 promised to provide funding to ensure the success of
land reform in Zimbabwe.
Then, the Conservative Party, whose prime minister
was Margaret Thatcher, was in power, but when the Labour party took over in the
mid 1990s, it insisted that no such agreement had ever been made, arguing also
that it could not be held responsible for the policies of the previous
government.
The disagreement with Harare over the issue turned for the worse
in the late 1990s, with the government of President Robert Mugabe proceeding to
amend the constitution to enable the compulsory acquisition of land to
resettle thousands of landless blacks.
Mutambara accused the west of
imperialistic tendencies, adding that his movement would not tolerate undue
interference in the affairs of the country.
“We stand opposed to any
form of imperialism, violation of state human rights and unilateralism.
“We
will not accept assistance at the expense of our dignity, values and
sovereignty. We make a clear distinction between strategic partners and
political allies,” said Mutambara.
He also took a swipe at Morgan Tsvangirai
for calling on the international community to impose sanctions on Zimbabwe,
saying the battle to put the country’s economy should be fought by Zimbabweans
alone without any foreign influence.
Responding to a question posed by The
Daily Mirror at a press conference in Bulawayo yesterday, Mutambara said
Zimbabweans had the power and capability to decide their own destiny.
“We are
anti-imperialist, driven by national interest and informed by Pan African
ideals. I do not believe in sanctions,” said Mutambara.
He was however cut
short by the faction’s spokesperson Paul Themba Nyathi, who said the call for
sanctions was Tsvangirai’s alone.
“It is on record that the MDC never called
on the international community to impose sanctions on Zimbabwe. That was
Tsvangirai’s personal sentiment,” said Nyathi.
Tsvangirai at one time called
on South Africa to effect power and fuel cuts to Zimbabwe, as a way of forcing
President Mugabe to step down.
Various countries, among them the US, Britain
and Australia, have also imposed virtual sanctions on Zimbabwe over the
years.
Mutambara pledged that he and his team would in the next 100 days come
up with a blueprint of what they believe is the solution to the current economic
challenges facing Zimbabwe.
Political analysts have hailed the stance taken
by Mutambara, saying that it is bound to distinguish his party from the old MDC
which had availed itself to the ruling party, Zanu PF, as a punch bag for its
outward-looking position.
“It is disturbing that political leadership in
Africa, both ruling and in opposition, has generally lacked confidence in its
being African, and it is against this background that Mutambara’s stance is
welcome,” said Margaret Dongo, a politician.
“It is not about
hero-worshipping anyone; it’s about creating equal partnerships. There is need
to link with those who share your ideals and it is unfair, for political
expediency, to go to bed with people who just yesterday worked against the
ideals of the majority.“If you call for sanctions, just in order to get rid of
(President) Robert Mugabe aren’t you worsening the plight of the people?
By
calling for sanctions, you are not empowering citizens; you are just making them
emotionally charged. How would you feel leading a country mired in poverty?”
said Dongo.
She said the position taken by the pro-senate faction should have
grown out of the realisation that by depending on external help and sympathy
“too much”, the MDC had lost touch with the needs of the common person.
There
is an expectation that Zanu PF will restrategise to stay ahead of other
opposition parties.
“Considering that Zanu PF rode on the wave of the
naïve mistakes made by the likes of Tsvangirai, the ruling party would always
work to identify weaknesses in Mutambara’s party in order to remain in power.
“The days of the anti-Blair campaign might be coming to an end and the new
ideological thrust of the pro-senate faction will give Zanu PF a run for their
money,” said Dongo.
Mutambara also indicated on Saturday his wish for a
broad-based opposition party bringing together civic society, pressure groups
and political parties.
“Its time has come...All democratic forces in
Zimbabwe need to engage each other. We need to unite.
A re-unification
framework and strategy must be established immediately,” said the former
University of Zimbabwe student leader.
He also said it was his pledge that
when the re-unification framework becomes a reality, he would step down from
leading the MDC and then go on to contest the presidency of the new
movement.
“I will be prepared to step down and contest against anybody
nominated to stand for the presidency of the new political
formation.
If I lose, I will submit to the will of the people and work
vigorously under the new leadership,” said Mutambara.
The Daily Mirror is
reliably informed that Mutambara indicated that should members of the
anti-senate camp agree to the healing process, he would prefer the “expelled”
MDC leader, Morgan Tsvangirai, becoming his deputy.
Apart from Mutambara who
was elected president, Gift Chimanikire, who had also been eyeing the same seat,
was nominated as national chairman, Welshman Ncube secretary general, Gibson
Sibanda vice president and Priscilla Mushonga-Misihairabwi deputy secretary
general while Fletcher Dulini-Ncube retained his post as
treasurer.
