The birth of African Union (AU) in 2002 was motivated from the futility of the then Organisation of African Union (OAU) in addressing crises in many African states including Rwanda, Somali and DRC.
Since many African countries had tarnished and dented the image of the total African good through abuse of territorial and political sovereignty, the main task of the AU was to therefore ensure that individuality of states would not continue to be abused and exploited to exasperate citizens against the common tirade of the continental good.
Surprisingly, the AU has once again left the Zimbabwe crisis off its agenda at an annual summit of leaders in Ethiopia, despite Zimbabwe’s crumbling unity government, intensified violence across the country and looming elections which Robert Mugabe can call at any time. Secretary to the AU Commission, Ambassador Jean Mfasoni said “Zimbabwe is not going to be discussed because it is now calm and these days there is no more fear that the situation would degenerate into a crisis. Now it is not a time for action.” AU’s main focus is Ivory Coast and Tunisia instead. Mr Mfasoni, when will Zimbabwe crisis become more pressing if AU failed to act when the country experienced unprecedented human rights abuses before and after the 2008 elections? Instead of waiting for a crisis to unfold again, why not put in place now preemptive measures which will ensure a transparent election process and protection of the electorate?
As Ambassador Jean Mfasoni gave a lame excuse for turning a blind eye on Zimbabwe at the summit, dozens of MDC supporters were seriously injured in a wave of violence that saw ZANU PF youth militia run amok in Harare surburbs. MDC Budiriro youth treasurer, William Makuwari, was shot in the leg and heavily assaulted by the thugs. As recent as last week, the MDC secretary-general, Tendai Biti, warned the world that Zimbabwe could face a “bloodbath” at elections this year as “the tell-tale signs are already there….” The situation is reminiscent of the pre-election fever in 2008, a poll that left hundreds of opposition supporters dead, tens of thousands beaten and hundreds of thousands displaced. There is already widespread fear that this situation will repeat itself if elections are called soon.
Just in case the AU does not clearly understand what the people of Zimbabwe are asking from them, below are some of the essential conditions to be implemented if a crisis is to be avoided in the country;
· “conduct independent investigations to establish whether the necessary conditions exist, and the environment is conducive to holding transparent, free and fair elections, before a new poll can be called. Fresh elections should, therefore, only be announced after the AU and SADC have cleared them
· push for key reforms that must be undertaken ahead of fresh elections which include the establishment of a new democratic constitution, media freedoms, an up-to-date voters’ roll, an adequately resourced, independent and impartial electoral management body, and mechanisms to prevent violence and intimidation before, during and after elections
· ensure that Zimbabwe enforces constitutional civilian control over the army and the security forces to prevent interference with electoral processes and to ensure democratic transfer of power
· ensure that SADC supervises fresh Zimbabwe elections which the AU and other international groups vigorously observe and monitor. Deployment of election monitors should be at least six months before elections with monitors remaining on the ground at least three months after the elections
· provide technical, administrative and other assistance to Zimbabwe aimed at developing and strengthening its electoral institutions and processes”.
If the AU can implement the above on all African nations, Africa would be a much better place to live and the AU can boastfully host summits with interesting themes as “Towards Greater Unity and Integration through Shared Values”, as they would be very appropriate indeed.
Joao Matandirani
MDC Southend Hausunde
