Heal Zimbabwe notes with concern the economic crisis that has plunged the country into a wave of uncertainty and turmoil. It is Heal Zimbabwe’s view that if government fails to address the current economic crisis that has seen prices for basic commodities skyrocketing; the country might descent into political turmoil and upheaval.
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.
The year 2019 has commenced with deepening economic crises with civil servants including teachers, nurses and doctors among other employees downing their tools for salary adjustments pegged in United States Dollars. Fuel shortages and price hikes of basic commodities are increasingly becoming common with some service providers already charging goods in foreign currency (United States Dollars). Protesting employees have already experienced harsh treatment including; arrests and summary dismissal from work among other punitive measures which further frustrates any conciliatory engagements.
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.
With this proposition, Heal Zimbabwe calls for a genuine, transparent and non-partisan national dialogue and process that will rescue the country descending into political unrest.
Source: Heal Zimbabwe
