MDC-T Resolutions Empty Sweet Nothings

The MDC-T finished its National Congress on a high note by releasing an avalanche and a deluge of resolutions, I will focus on just a few of those resolutions for these resolutions will make or break the MDC-T.

The MDC-T resolved to embark on what it calls ‘peaceful and constitutional' demonstrations and the purpose of the demonstrations is to bring the government of Robert Mugabe to the negotiation table. As I stated else before, it is not that people are cowards and therefore afraid to demonstrate against the government, the truth is that the people are fed up with what is happening and are more than ready to take to the streets, however, they need clear political leadership and participation. Before the Congress Mr Tswangirayi promised to lead from the front, this is doubtful; it is most likely that he was just politicking. If it was just political rhetoric this will be his downfall, because people will continue to believe him as the king of rhetoric and little substance.

In order for the MDC-T to be successful in implementing this resolution, its leaders should lead from the front, together with the people, if the police arrest them let it be, if the police beats them up let it be, for this is the only way the people can extricate themselves from the doldrums.

The question is, is the MDC-T leadership up to the challenge?

The Big-Tent resolution is ill-informed and ill-advised, let me quote it verbatim ‘Congress therefore resolved to welcome all members of other political parties and even former rebels to come and join the party in order to strengthen the base to fight for a new, democratic and prosperous Zimbabwe'

The premise of this resolution is misplaced; it assumes that all other political parties should be swallowed by the MDC-T. This Halloween and vampire attitude will not help the MDC-T cause. It is shameful for the MDC-T to call those who parted ways with them ‘rebels' knowing that the reasons for the split were all to do with Mr Tswangirayi's leadership or lack of it. The MDC-T will be surprised to find that this arrogance no longer works anymore as the political environment has changed and no longer gives room to bullies in the shape of MDC-T and its leadership. If a platform of democrats is to be built then all constituent parts should converge as equals, nothing more nothing less.

The resolution on participation in elections is an interesting one, which directly clashes with their big-tent resolution, how, one may ask? The attitude exhibited on the big-tent resolution shows that the MDC-T is not serious in forming alliances with other political parties. Therefore if the MDC-T resolves not to enter into any election it assumes that all other democratic forces will also abscond, but how and why should they do so?

It may seem that the MDC-T did not think through its resolutions or did not synchronise them, maybe different thematic committees came up with different resolutions. 

The MDC-T boldly resolved that they will not participate in any election, including by-elections, and even the next elections whenever they are held, until and unless all agreed reforms are implemented to the letter and spirit, including the provision of a biometric voters roll in a way that protects the will of the people and return the country to legitimacy.

These demands were supposed to have accomplished during the GNU and the MDC-T was warned by SADC and by ZAPU not to participate in the last elections as the playfield was uneven, but the MDC-T with its arrogance and bravado did not listen to reason.