McDonald Lewanika: ‘2012 is not the year for elections’

In the first week of 2012 Zimbabwe Watch coordinator Hugo looked ahead with McDonald Lewanika, coordinator of the Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition (a coalition of Zimbabwean civil society organisations that strive for a democratic Zimbabwe, ed). Hugo asked him about his expectations for 2012, the reforms needed, possible elections, and the role the Netherlands and Dutch organisations could play in Zimbabwe.

What kind of year was 2011 for Zimbabwe?

2011 was a year of mixed fortunes for a lot of us. On one hand, you had a lot of external inspiration around people power as evidenced by the transitions in North Africa, which showed that the tolerance threshold for dictatorships, autocrats and oppression was receding. On the other hand you had the continuation of the Political Theater that has come to characterise Zimbabwe’s Inclusive Government and body politic – with limited reforms, and even those being more show than substance. We were however motivated by the reality that Rome was not built in a day and appreciated, and were driven even by, the small progressive movements that we made towards democratisation as a country.

And what are your expectations for 2012?

In 2012, we expect to be more resolved and organised as a pro-democracy movement towards the attainment of democratic reforms in our country ahead of any elections. We expect, and will demand, that 2012 be our big year in terms of democratic consolidation, and will play our part in ensuring that we do not only articulate verbally what we want, but should the need arise we should be able to act on our demands, and mobilise people to show that our causes are not only just, but are people centered, driven and inspired.

And well, the million-dollar question… Will we see elections in Zimbabwe in 2012?

We hope not. In spite of the loud political noise on this matter, we continue to contend and believe that our partners in SADC agree with the bulk of Zimbabwean citizens that the country is not ready for elections that can pass the litmus test of freeness and fairness. Also the polarisation in the inclusive government, the extreme poverty of not only the people but also the government and also the existence of key outstanding political questions that have a bearing on elections, may denote that more time will be needed to put our ducks in a roll where elections are concerned. We have already declared that 2012 is not the year for elections, but the year for meaningful democratic reforms in terms of the electoral infrastructure and environment – this will continue to be our key message and expectation of the year.

Which reforms are crucial before such an election can take place?

Well, it’s a number of reforms, but key amongst them are the following:

1. Demilitarizing politics and political processes through ensuring that the armed forces, intelligence community and police force do not have a direct hand into the electoral process.
2. Reforming the current electoral framework and law to allow for the free expression of Zimbabwean citizens in a manner that allows them access to a free media, and that does not impede their participation through violence, intimidation, gerimandering and manipulation of the process.
3. A new constitutional dispensation.
4. A meaningful power transfer mechanism to the eventual winner of elections.
5. Restructuring the Election management body (Zimbabwe Electoral Commission, ed) in a manner that ensures that the staff is professional and non-partisan.

And what is the likelihood the parties in the GNU will agree and implement these reforms?

Where there is a will there is always a way. Our challenge in Zimbabwe is that to a large extent the will to reform does not exist, because some parties in the GNU, especially ZANU PF, know that acceding to reforms is tantamount to nailing their own coffin, since it is the absence of these reforms that has partly blocked regime change in the country. We are spurred on in spite of the challenges by the fact that in all situations that dictatorships have been uprooted, it has not been through their facilitation. As democracy advocates we need to understand the challenges and face them or deal with them without allowing them to sap power out of us because of the hugeness of the task.

In 2011 we saw that SADC took a more pro-active stance towards Zimbabwe, what can or should we expect from SADC in 2012?

SADC can only do so much. But as a minimum, we expect them to continue taking principled positions that are in sync and support of the people of Zimbabwe not just their rulers. We expect SADC to exercise critical brotherhood on Zimbabwe, which allows them to say ‘yes you are our brothers but implement the GPA.Yes you are our brothers but stop butchering your own people, we are brothers but respect diversity and allow your mandate not to be negotiated but earned through the consent of the people through free and fair violence free elections.’

The recent rise in targeting of civil society organizations and activists together with the resolutions made at the recent ZANU PF congress are quite worrying for civil society organisations, how do you deal with that?

What ZANU PF does and says is beyond our control. We firmly believe that we have and are not doing anything wrong. As such we will not be deterred in the conduct of our work by threats and intimidation. We will try to be prudent, as we have seen what state sponsored violence can do to people, but we will not be intimidated into stopping our work. Our struggle demands sacrifice, and consequences of auctioning out of some of the threats and resolutions by ZANU PF will be a lesser price to pay than what we have seen others in similar situations loose.

The new Dutch Government has made significant cuts in development assistance. Further cuts might happen in 2012, which could also have implications for the Dutch presence in Zimbabwe, how do you feel about this?

This is indeed a sad development, but one which we have been forced to understand in the context of both the Global Economic Crisis and the Euro zone financial crisis. We do hope that Zimbabwe remains a priority country for the Dutch government, as we believe that we are now closer to the end than to the beginning, and we can attain democratisation with continued support from our allies. It will be sad to loose this support and it will no doubt have an impact on our struggle. But struggles are characterised by exactly that, struggle, and they often take place in the context of scarce resources, inadequate support and untenable conditions – yet success can still be bourne from these difficulties.

What does Zimbabwean civil society expect from organizations like Zimbabwe Watch? And what can Zimbabwe Watch and its members do for civil society in Zimbabwe?

Civil Society in Zimbabwe has enjoyed a tremendous amount of support from Zimbabwe Watch and its Dutch member organisations. At this stage we ask for more of the same. More support, more solidarity, more understanding, and more representation of Zimbabwe’s issues to both the Dutch government and the Dutch people.

Finally, what can we expect from Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition in 2012?

In 2012 the Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition will predicate its work on three primary campaigns. First we have the Ballot Revolution, which is a local campaign that urges people to engage in a revolution centered on the electoral process. It will be a public and popular advocacy initiative that seeks to encourage people to do the following five things in order to be part of the ballot revolution:

1. Campaign for democratic electoral reforms.
2. Register to vote
3. Demand a violence free electoral environment.
4. Vote in Peace ( V.I.P) during the referendum and Elections.
5. Defend your vote/ make your vote count.

Secondly, we have a regional and international campaign on free and fair elections, anti-violence and stolen elections. This will be the main focus of our advocacy work in the region and internationally. We will attempt to get international buy in on the call for free and fair elections, transfer of power and violence.

Lastly, we will continue the Voice UP Campaign. This is an ongoing campaign urging the people to speak up in the Constitution making process. As we go towards the referendum we will be urging people to speak with their votes, as part of this campaign and the Ballot revolution.

Thank you McDonald, keep up the good work