ANGLICAN-INFORMATION
‘A voice for the voiceless’

Zimbabwe sets an example for the Anglican Central African Province?
- The Memorandum of Understanding -

The recently published Zimbabwean ‘Memorandum of Understanding’, an agreement to talks that has seen Robert Mugabe shake hands with MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai, has just been signed - see below:

ANGLICAN-INFORMATION like most observers approaches this extraordinary document with great caution. However, it does represent an unexpected and unprecedented step forward brokered by South African President Thabo Mbeki. Hopefully it will be the beginning of a change in Zimbabwean politics although it is hard to see how the ‘Junta’ surrounding Robert Mugabe will agree to it and how Mugabe will not desperately try at least to secure some kind of immunity from prosecution. Practically anything is better than the current nightmare that is today’s Zimbabwe of fear and hunger.

At least this M.O.U. deserves some prayers for upon the future of the Zimbabwe regime hangs the fate of the Anglican Church in Zimbabwe, currently victimised by Mugabe mouthpiece ‘Archbishop’ Nolbert Kunonga.

ANGLICAN-INFORMATION observes that the Anglican Central African Province could ironically take a leaf out of the M.O.U. precedent by getting into some cordial and sensible discussions with all the interested parties in the dioceses of Lake Malawi and Upper Shire where negotiated solutions to episcopal elections still await. Perhaps the bishops will come back from the Lambeth Conference in a conciliatory mood after all the efforts to stabilize the Anglican Communion and restore dialogue? If Zimbabwe can do it – so can the Central African Province – conciliarity - that is after all how Anglicanism actually works.
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MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN THE ZIMBABWE AFRICAN NATIONAL UNION
(PATRIOTIC FRONT) AND THE TWO MOVEMENT FOR DEMOCRATIC CHANGE FORMATIONS

PREAMBLE

We the Parties to this Memorandum of Understanding;

Concerned about the recent challenges that we have faced as a country and
the multiple threats to the well-being of our people;

Dedicating ourselves to putting an end to the polarisation, divisions,
conflict and intolerance that have characterised our country-s politics;

Determined to build a society free of violence, fear, intimidation, hate,
patronage, corruption and founded on justice, fairness, openness,
transparency, dignity and equality;

Recognising the centrality and importance of African institutions in dealing
with African problems, and agreeing to seek solutions to our differences,
challenges and problems through dialogue under the auspices of the SADC
mediation, supported and endorsed by the African Union;

Acknowledging that we have an obligation of establishing a framework of
working together in an inclusive government;

Desirous therefore of entering into a dialogue with a view to returning
Zimbabwe to prosperity;

Recognising that such a dialogue requires agreement on procedures and
processes that will guide the dialogue.

NOW THEREFORE AGREE AS FOLLOWS:

1. Definitions

The -Memorandum of Understanding- (+MOU-) shall mean this written agreement
signed by the Principals.

-The Parties- shall mean ZANU-PF, the two MDC formations led by Morgan
Tsvangirai and by Arthur Mutambara respectively.

-The Principals- shall mean the President and First Secretary of ZANU-PF,
Robert Gabriel Mugabe, the President of the one MDC formation, Morgan
Richard Tsvangirai and the President of the other MDC formation, Arthur
Guseni Oliver Mutambara.

2. Declaration of Commitment

The Parties hereby declare and agree to commit themselves to a dialogue with
each other with a view to creating a genuine, viable, permanent and
sustainable solution to the Zimbabwean situation and, in particular, to
implement this Memorandum of Understanding.

3. Representation

The Parties will be represented by two representatives each in the dialogue.

4. Agenda

The Parties have agreed to the following Agenda:

4.1. Objectives and Priorities of a new Government

(a) ECONOMIC

(i) Restoration of economic stability and growth

(ii) Sanctions

(iii) Land question

(b) POLITICAL

(i) New Constitution

(ii) Promotion of equality, national healing and cohesion, and unity

(iii)External interference

(iv)Free political activity

(v) Rule of law

(vi) State organs and institutions

(vii) Legislative agenda priorities

(c) SECURITY

(i) Security of persons and prevention of violence

(d) COMMUNICATION

(i) Media

(ii) External radio stations

4.2 Framework for a new Government

4.3 Implementation mechanisms

4.4 Global political agreement.

5. Facilitation

The Dialogue shall be facilitated in accordance with the SADC and AU
resolutions.

6. Time frames

The Dialogue commenced on 10 July 2008 and will continue until the Parties
have finalised all necessary matters, save for short breaks that may be
agreed upon for purposes of consultation. It is envisaged that the Dialogue
will be completed within a period of two weeks from the date of signing of
this MOU.

7. Venue

The Dialogue shall be conducted at such venues as shall be determined by the
Facilitator in consultation w ith the representatives of the Parties.

8. Communication with the media

None of the Parties shall, during the Dialogue period, directly or
indirectly communicate the substance of the discussion with the media. The
parties shall refrain from negotiating through the media, whether through
their representatives to the Dialogue or any of their Party officials.

9. Decisions by the Parties

The Parties shall not, during the subsistence of the Dialogue, take any
decisions or measures that have a bearing on the agenda of the Dialogue,
save by consensus. Such decisions or measures include, but are not limited
to the convening of Parliament or the formation of a new government.

10. Interim measures

10.1 Security of persons

(a) Each Party will issue a statement condemning the promotion and use of
violence and call for peace in the country and shall take all measures
necessary to ensure that the structures and institutions it controls are not
engaged in the perpetration of violence.

(b) The Parties are committed to ensuring that the law is applied fairly and
justly to all persons irrespective of political affiliation.

(c) The Parties will take all necessary measures to eliminate all forms of
political violence, including by non-state actors, and to ensure the
security of persons and property.

(d) The Parties agree that, in the interim, they will work together to
ensure the safety of any displaced persons and their safe return home and
that humanitarian and social welfare organisations are enabled to render
such assistance as might be required.

10.2 Hate speech

The Parties shall refrain from using abusive language that may incite
hostility, political intolerance and ethnic hatred or undermine each other.

11. The role of SADC and the AU

The implementation of the Global Political Agreement that the Parties will
conclude shall be underwritten and guaranteed by the Facilitator, SADC and
the AU.

12. Execution of the agreement

This agreement shall be signed by the Principals in the presence of each
other and shall be witnessed by the Facilitator.

Signed at Harare:

Robert G. Mugabe
President, ZANU-PF

Morgan R. Tsvangirai
President, MDC

Arthur G. O. Mutambara
President, MDC

Thabo Mbeki
SADC Facilitator

..................END...............

ANGLICAN-INFORMATION
‘A voice for the voiceless’

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