From the Forums: Quotes on Zimbabwe deal
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17 September 2008
‘I have signed this agreement because I believe it represents the best
op****tunity for us to build a peaceful, prosperous, democratic
Zimbabwe. I have signed this agreement because my belief in Zimbabwe
and its peoples runs deeper than the scars I bear from the struggle. I
have signed this agreement because my hope for the future is greater
than the grief I have for the needless suffering of the past years.
Today, every one of us has a decision to make. Should we be driven by
feelings towards those we blame for the suffering we have endured, or
shall we be driven by the hope of a new, better, brighter country - the
hope of a new beginning?’ -Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai.
‘This is not what Zimbabweans voted for but it seems we must make the
best of it if we are to save the country from complete ruin. The very
people who designed and implemented the 9 year collapse of Zimbabwe
will now sit alongside the victims of their ruinous policies.’ - Author
Cathy Buckle.
‘Today marks the end of Zanu PF hegemony over power. From today every
decision on how the government conducts itself and goes about its
business has to be by consensus with the MDC. This is not going to be
easy for anyone. We in the MDC must now work with the very people who
have ordered our arrest, beaten and even killed our colleagues and
abused our rights. We have to put the past behind us and work together
in designing and implementing a new dispensation for Zimbabwe.’ MDC MP
Eddie Cross.
‘I think the most im****tant thing right now, more im****tant than the
celebrations is to discuss and figure out how to achieve the most
sacred values we sought and fought for from the beginning and gave the
last ten years of our lives to. Values that can not be traded off at
any table: genuine democracy, a truly people's constitution,
accountability, justice, truth - we still need to know what happened to
many of our comrades who disappeared. If people are to be forgiven it
must be part of a process.’ - activist Briggs Bomba
‘As presently constituted, whatever the details of the deal, it will
not be surprising to see that only China, Russia, North Korea,
Venezuela and some African countries including South Africa of course
will hasten to recognise the new regime despite its imperfections.The
sad truth about it is that the donor community will not be amused.’ –
Clifford Ma****ri.
‘But it is better to light one candle than to curse the darkness. Let
us not forget that in all its absurdity, the deal signifies an end to a
protracted period of political paralysis.’ Dr Paul Mutuzu.
‘While acknowledging the commitment expressed by the signatories, we
recall that this is the third time Robert Mugabe has entered into a
unity government deal. History therefore informs us to be cautious and
remain on guard.’ Global Zimbabwe Forum.
‘If I was sitting in Thabo Mbeki’s powerful position, I know that I
would have conducted myself very differently. I would never ever have
pulled out all stops and used my power and influence to keep a ruthless
and ageing dictator in power. I would never have turned a blind eye to
the terrible violence meted out to the most vulnerable citizens in
Zimbabwe. I would never have sat on a re****t by my own generals, not
only failing to act on that re****t, but doing everything in my power to
stave off pressure on the perpetrators.
The deal today is not a triumph of African diplomacy as Aziz Pahad has
claimed. It constitutes a trampling of the democratic rights of all
those Zimbabweans who voted, many of them risking their lives in the
process, on March 29. In the orgy of self congratulation and
triumphalism in today’s ceremony, there was little thought or reference
to all those who died and are still dying, who homes were destroyed,
who suffered rape, torture and assault, who were deliberately deprived
of food because they belonged to the wrong political party.’-Elinor
Sisulu- Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition.
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