Opinion / Columnist
In Zimbabwe, the alliance of democratic forces is overdue!
28 Oct 2020 at 17:52hrs | Views
In power politics, there are two key ingredients in a successful nonviolent revolution. These are receptivity of the regime to change and opposition unity. No single individual or group by itself can effect political change - it takes an alliance of democratic forces. The required Alliance comprise of political parties, professional groups, student groups, church groups, business groups, trade union workers, and ordinary citizens - both inside and outside the country. In Zimbabwe, these varied groups operate separately or independently. Some advocate democracy, others intellectual freedom, and still others a living wage. However, their activities are not coordinated. There is no concerted effort, no road map.
There is no primary focus of all opposition groups. This is where the Alliance of Democratic Forces is coming in - to refocus all the democratic forces energies at removing the despotic regime from power and establish a level political playing field. The despot will never establish a level political or economic playing field. All the other issues (such as who should be president, what type of ideology the country should follow, a political platform, whether the country should have a new currency or a new flag) are irrelevant and secondary. These issues are divisive, and nothing delights a dictator more than a divided opposition.
All our energies will be focused on ensuring that the electoral rules are fair and just and that the political field is level. We will demand a fair voting process - it is imperative for a free and fair election, and all energies will be channeled to ensure that the process is transparent. The Election Day might look like this: Each election center will be rearranged into blocks and names.
Other areas like the media and the intelligence are a fair game - we will establish our own credible media outlets and intelligence agencies. Central Intelligence Organization is a secretive enterprise anyway therefore our own Mutapa Secret Intelligence Service will be fair game. In addition, we will demand a new voting process arranged by blocks and last names.
Starting in 2022, a great deal of coordination and calculation will start in crafting strategies to remove ZANU PF through the ballot box. A diaspora forum will coordinate the activities of all alliance groups to achieve focus and impact. Currently, opposition and democratic activities are disparate. Democracy activists and political parties operate separately on an ad hoc basis. There is a need to join forces and prioritize causes. Diaspora forum is able to make this determination based upon the needs of the situation.
The ballot box will be our main focus and the means to remove the Mnangagwa dictatorship from power. Our energies will be channeled into three areas:
- Alliance of democratic forces which will be required for victory at the polls
- The electoral process: Registration of opposition supporters, public rallies, transparent ballot boxes, voting free of intimidation and violence, etc.
- The media - in particular, the FM radio stations - to get our message out
Sam Wezhira
There is no primary focus of all opposition groups. This is where the Alliance of Democratic Forces is coming in - to refocus all the democratic forces energies at removing the despotic regime from power and establish a level political playing field. The despot will never establish a level political or economic playing field. All the other issues (such as who should be president, what type of ideology the country should follow, a political platform, whether the country should have a new currency or a new flag) are irrelevant and secondary. These issues are divisive, and nothing delights a dictator more than a divided opposition.
All our energies will be focused on ensuring that the electoral rules are fair and just and that the political field is level. We will demand a fair voting process - it is imperative for a free and fair election, and all energies will be channeled to ensure that the process is transparent. The Election Day might look like this: Each election center will be rearranged into blocks and names.
Other areas like the media and the intelligence are a fair game - we will establish our own credible media outlets and intelligence agencies. Central Intelligence Organization is a secretive enterprise anyway therefore our own Mutapa Secret Intelligence Service will be fair game. In addition, we will demand a new voting process arranged by blocks and last names.
Starting in 2022, a great deal of coordination and calculation will start in crafting strategies to remove ZANU PF through the ballot box. A diaspora forum will coordinate the activities of all alliance groups to achieve focus and impact. Currently, opposition and democratic activities are disparate. Democracy activists and political parties operate separately on an ad hoc basis. There is a need to join forces and prioritize causes. Diaspora forum is able to make this determination based upon the needs of the situation.
- Alliance of democratic forces which will be required for victory at the polls
- The electoral process: Registration of opposition supporters, public rallies, transparent ballot boxes, voting free of intimidation and violence, etc.
- The media - in particular, the FM radio stations - to get our message out
Sam Wezhira
Source - Sam Wezhira
All articles and letters published on Bulawayo24 have been independently written by members of Bulawayo24's community. The views of users published on Bulawayo24 are therefore their own and do not necessarily represent the views of Bulawayo24. Bulawayo24 editors also reserve the right to edit or delete any and all comments received.
