Opinion / Letters
An open letter to all SADC member states
12 Jun 2013 at 06:42hrs | Views
I write to you with a heavy heart which is bleeding with passion and love for a democratic Zimbabwe. With all due respect Your Excellencies let me open up what is eating up my heart on behalf of millions of Zimbabweans out there who might not find an opportunity to write to you like what I have done. I would like to thank you for what you have done for us (Zimbabweans) in terms of trying to help us democratize our land and level the ground for free and fair elections in Zimbabwe since 2000 to date. It won't be fair if I don't appreciate the role played by His Excellency President Jacob Zuma and his committed SADC facilitation team in trying to solve the Zimbabwean question. I was privileged to meet with some of the members of the SADC facilitation team and I can tell you they are passionate and committed about leveling the ground for credible polls in Zimbabwe. I really appreciate all that. However kindly note the following;
YOU NEED TO HAVE A BITE...
Since the signing of the Global Political Agreement (GPA) little or a few of the agreed reforms have been implemented simply because of one of the principals doesn't want to honor the agreement and for that reason there was little progress in the past four years. If one person (principals of the GPA) can despise your resolutions and goes scot free it will make you sort of a toothless barking dog if I may put it this way. You need to have a bite especially considering the Zimbabwean question, whoever breaks the rules of the game must face tough consequences which will make him a good example to other dictators who may want to follow suit. The way you are handling the Zimbabwean question will leave your credibility tainted and you will end up harboring dictators in our hard won continent. Once again you need to have a bite my lords even if it means calling AU (African Union) and United Nations to come to countries where dictators are clinging to power and despising SADC and the rule of law. If you deal with Zimbabwe handling it like a glass then you will not achieve anything and you will spend the next twenty years discussing one thing.
SUMMIT AFTER SUMMIT... HOPE THE MAPUTO IS THE LAST ONE TO DISCUSS ZIMBABWE.
Your Excellencies how many summits have you set and communiqués have you produced on Zimbabwe?.And what has changed if I may ask?.With all due respect may the coming SADC extra ordinary summit scheduled for Maputo on the 15th of June 2013 be the last one to discuss Zimbabwe. You must progress and discuss other issues which can take this region ahead than to be stuck on one issue for a decade because of only one person. If you have failed Zimbabwe take the issue to the African Union or even to the United Nations rather than spending a decade on one issue. With elections scheduled for this year in Zimbabwe if they (principals of the GPA) fail to implement the reforms then take them to AU or any other higher board rather allowing them to push you to a rushed election which will obviously result into another blood bath similar to the previous 2008 bloody violence. May the Maputo Summit be the last one to discuss Zimbabwe or else admit that you have failed.
I RESPECT YOU RELATIONSHIP AS REVOLUTIONARY MOVEMENTS BUT CAN YOU PUT THE INTEREST OF THE POOR ZIMBABWEAN MASS FIRST.
I have so much respect for your relationships which dates back to the days you were liberating Africa. I also have respect of how you (revolutionary movements) share a common vision since the days of the liberation struggles in your various states. But I am on my knees can you kindly put the interests of the poor Zimbabwean mass first. I know how you may support each other all in the name of fighting the so called imperialism but don't use this as an excuse to harbor your dictatorship and authoritarian systems. If one of you loses elections bid him/her farewell and let him go. By protecting him what legacy are you leaving behind?.Dictatorship and gross human rights violations I wonder?.I urge you to be democratic and level headed before this hard won region falls into an endless pity of dictatorship all in the name of Pan Africanism. Pan Africanism is a very good concept and I believe in it, it's just that I see many dictators hiding behind it for their personal and selfish interests.
LAST BUT NOT LEAST... THE MASS IS LIKE WATER AND YOU ARE THE FISH.
Have a nice Summit and my kind regards to you all.
Viva Africa Viva
Viva Zimbabwe Viva.
Nkosilathi Emmanuel Moyo is a human rights activists and the Director of the Zimbabwe Organization For The Youth In Politics (Z.O.Y.P).He writes in his personal capacity. He can be contacted on zoyporg@gmail.com or on +263 775 037 579 .
Source - Nkosilathi Emmanuel Moyo
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