Opinion / Columnist
What next Zimbabwe?
18 Jul 2016 at 17:50hrs | Views
No more comfort of opinion without active participation in creating the change we want to see.
For a while now, I have been at pains to articulate to Zimbabweans that we are the ones responsible for creating the circumstances which we now face by doing nothing to change them. All of us have been complicit in propping up the dictator who has abused us in return and we have taken it as normal. Things have to change today and not tomorrow and he has to go.
In his place we have to appoint a national transitional authority and on this NTA must be a broad spectrum of citizens' representatives from politicians to civic organisations to churches to individual experts who must present to the country a road map of political and economic reforms. In this process, let us not forget our brothers and sisters in the Diaspora whom I think can add tremendous value.
We all have to agree on the date that Mugabe must step down as soon as possible. On that date we shall all be out in the streets to see that he goes. For me the demands by #ThisFlag are most welcome and appropriate but highly unlikely to happen given the depth of corruption and fear of change within this regime, especially as long as Mugabe is in charge.
This means between now and then, a National Transformation Convention (NTC) must be held where the NTA is nominated and appointed by citizens. This team must then be given a deadline to propose a credible and inclusive transformation road map for the immediate future and the medium term. This NTA will then take over executive powers when Mugabe steps down on the agreed date.
It is very critical that this NTA has powers over the police and the army and will dissolve at the handing over of power to a new President of a new Zimbabwe after free and fair election to be held as soon as practically possible.
For me nothing short of this will suffice. We must refuse to negotiate with a dictator or to prolong the administration of the affairs of our country by the current crop of Ministers. Lessons from the GNU must surely be fresh in all our minds. Half measures will not work.
The only thing exciting about the future is that we can create it. We can no longer expect others to sacrifice for us while we wait and hope for the best.
It's time for action.
Vince Musewe is an independent economist and author. He is also Secretary for Finance and Economic Affairs for PDP. You may contact him on vtmusewe@gmail.com
For a while now, I have been at pains to articulate to Zimbabweans that we are the ones responsible for creating the circumstances which we now face by doing nothing to change them. All of us have been complicit in propping up the dictator who has abused us in return and we have taken it as normal. Things have to change today and not tomorrow and he has to go.
In his place we have to appoint a national transitional authority and on this NTA must be a broad spectrum of citizens' representatives from politicians to civic organisations to churches to individual experts who must present to the country a road map of political and economic reforms. In this process, let us not forget our brothers and sisters in the Diaspora whom I think can add tremendous value.
We all have to agree on the date that Mugabe must step down as soon as possible. On that date we shall all be out in the streets to see that he goes. For me the demands by #ThisFlag are most welcome and appropriate but highly unlikely to happen given the depth of corruption and fear of change within this regime, especially as long as Mugabe is in charge.
It is very critical that this NTA has powers over the police and the army and will dissolve at the handing over of power to a new President of a new Zimbabwe after free and fair election to be held as soon as practically possible.
For me nothing short of this will suffice. We must refuse to negotiate with a dictator or to prolong the administration of the affairs of our country by the current crop of Ministers. Lessons from the GNU must surely be fresh in all our minds. Half measures will not work.
The only thing exciting about the future is that we can create it. We can no longer expect others to sacrifice for us while we wait and hope for the best.
It's time for action.
Vince Musewe is an independent economist and author. He is also Secretary for Finance and Economic Affairs for PDP. You may contact him on vtmusewe@gmail.com
Source - Vince Musewe
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