Heal Zimbabwe notes with concern the continued crackdown of innocent civilians by members of the security services. To date, Heal Zimbabwe has received widespread cases of assault, abductions, arbitrary arrests and intimidation from across the country. In the aftermath of the successful stay-away organized by the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) and other stakeholders; Heal Zimbabwe would have expected the government to convene a national dialogue on the current political crisis. The fact that issues or concerns of protesters remain unaddressed is not only worrying but go on to reveal the insincerity of government in resolving the current crisis. Unleashing armed security services on defenseless citizens will not help address the current crisis.
In light of this, Heal Zimbabwe calls for an urgent citizen driven national dialogue to arrest the obtaining dire economic situation and looming political turmoil in Zimbabwe. The current economic crisis and political circumstances in the country are ominous and puts the country on the verge of civil unrest. Both the Citizens and the Government of Zimbabwe will not benefit from the imminent civil unrest, hence the pressing need to convene a national dialogue to avert the crisis.
These and other indications clearly spell out a national tragedy which all Zimbabwean citizens, including workers, the church, political parties and the Government among other stakeholders must unite to avert. Heal Zimbabwe; therefore, proposes a three-step engagement process to avert the national crisis:
1. Citizens’ National Summit: All citizens must come together to collectively share and document their grievances, issues and concerns. All Zimbabweans from across the political divide including women, youth, children and people living with disabilities, must drive the process and collectively define the current crisis facing the country and how they would want it addressed.
2. National Political Dialogue: ‘An All Stakeholders Summit’ mediated by the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and the African Union (AU) must be initiated. A national political dialogue should ensure that collective grievances from the citizens are reflected and turned into a national recovery plan. The national dialogue should generate a clear roadmap that salvages the country from collapsing. The government, churches and civic organizations must support the political dialogue and appreciate the people’s grievances, issues and concerns.
3. National Recovery Roadmap: A collective people driven national roadmap must be implemented that is hinged on transparency and accountability. High levels of political will and a mediated support from regional and international institutions will be essential.
Source: Heal Zimbabwe
