Opinion: No Electoral Reforms are the remedy ZANU-PF needs now, but not what Zimbabwe needs!

We knew that it would come to this, as the Zimbabwe Parliament had the tabled amendments to secure more transparency and secure the electoral process in the in-coming elections. The Zimbabwe African National Union – Patriotic Front (ZANU-PF) would muster resistance against that. Because that would shoulder more open and transparent effort for the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC), which is an electoral body appointed by the ruling regime and they want to deliver for the ruling regime. That is why there is need for electoral reforms, that the regime has no interests in changing. All of that will weaken the party even more.

That is why the 8th May Plenary Sessions with the Amendments from Hon. Gonse of the Electoral Law was important. Even as the Zanu-PF was working hard against it. That is why the end-game was postponing a clear vote on the amendments and sending it to the Committee for Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs. As a way of shelving the ideas and putting it to the side. Because Zanu-PF cannot reform itself. That can only happen if Gen. Chiwenga orders the army to switch the leadership again.

We know that the Minister Ziyambi fears electoral reforms, that was evident with the statement like this:

However, I reject the submission that we replace Section 157 of the Act. It proves an unwelcome burden on the Electoral Court to disqualify from future elections candidates alleged to have committed electoral malpractices. The Electoral Court, Hon. Members, is not a criminal court. If you want to disqualify me or perhaps Hon. Gonese to withstand from future elections on the basis of mere allegations, it is better for that issue to be adjudicated by the criminal courts and not the Electoral Court. Let the convicting court make the decision on the basis of facts before it” (Hon. Ziambi, 08.05.2018).

We see the significant differences with the opposition as Hon. Gonse answered this:

Electoral court may disqualify persons responsible for electoral malpractices and it is very clear, we are saying if a person who is either a candidate or an agent of a candidate or an office bearer of a political party is convicted by any court, we are not talking of allegations here. We are talking of a person who has been convicted. We want to deal with the culture of impunity. People have been doing it and they have been repeating it knowing that no drastic consequences will befall them. We want to ensure that if people are aware that if they do any of these things, if they engage in violence for example or any other malpractice, whether it is bribery, intimidation and so on, they know that the consequences are so drastic and again, the Electoral Court is now given sufficient power to decide which are the more grave offences” (Hon. Gonse, 08.05.2018).

That is the major reason for why there are no wishes or changes of Electoral Laws before the Elections that is coming up. Because Zanu-PF have no interests in changing this. They fine the way it is. Zanu-PF can live with it, they can rig it and secure it for the Zanu-PF Politburo. Because at this point, the election is all in favor of Zanu-PF, even if they are not as organized as they thought they were. They are a bit shaky after the hectic and shambolic primaries. However, they will pull out all the guns to secure the Lascoste and the new elite another term in office. Legitimize it and eat of the plate a little while longer.

But they will not change laws few months ahead of the elections, take away the mandate of ZEC and give way to opposition voices now. They are slowly preparing for another term, this time not by the military, but by the ballots. Even if they are rigged and fixed to be altered to the narrative the Zanu-PF needs. As Mnangagwa lies to make beautiful puff-pieces in the Herald. The reality, is they are gearing up for another show-down and will not accept any interference in it. That is why the Amendments are sent to Committee, the Zanu-PF cannot change now, they are on the way to another term. A term they will get into no matter what it costs, as they are doling out SUVs, paying of people and securing loyalty in and outside the country. Peace.

SPLM-IO: “Statement from the Press Statement on the Civil War in South Sudan” (10.05.2018)

South Sudan Opposition Alliance (SSOA): The Regime in Juba is tireless working to undermine the prospect of success of the High Level Revitalization Forum (09.05.2018)

South Sudan: Response to the US Government Press Statement on the Conflict in South Sudan (09.05.2018)

Zimbabwe: #YoungWomanForChamisa Campaign – “We will not be distracted by partisan distortion, exaggeration and outright ficition” (08.05.2018)

South Sudan: Press Release on the reunification of the SPLM Factions (07.05.2018)

IGAD: Letter to South Sudan Opposition Party (06.05.2018)

Opinion: Why I have a hard time believing Museveni as a mediator in South Sudan!

When it comes to a political disagreement like we have here (South Sudan), we must have a scientific approach to its resolution, should it be resolved by force or other ways? Force should be reserved for the enemy. A disagreement among brothers should not be resolved by force,” President Museveni said” (…) “Some people have been coming to Uganda. Malong [Paul] and others. They come and talk to our people. They want to start a war because they claim Salva Kiir is being controlled by some elders. But should that be cause for war?” Museveni asked” (Kasasira, 2018).

It is okay, that anyone want all the stakeholders, all the opposition militias, all the war-lords to a sit-down and settle differences. That is cool and that is good, if there was a substantial effort for doing so, but a leader like President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni. Is not believable in this grace. He is not the kind of man to this himself. He rather get rid of his enemies and settle the score in his favor. That is what he has done in the past and is known for. He peddles a fake-peace, signs agreements and when the opposition, thinks all is golden. He strikes with fierce force and takes it all. That is Machiavellian leader Museveni is. Instead of having a proper sit-down in Kasese, he burned the Royal Palace and killed guards like their where vermin. So, that the Ugandan President said this, is sort of poetic.

But if we go further down into history, into when he was still a warlord himself and not a 32 year long life President, he was still just mere guerrilla leader, which used force for his own benefit. This was the Nairobi Talks accord and agreement, which he first signed and later dropped like a cold stew.

Mr. Museveni never helped to carry out the peace accord, refusing to take his post as vice chairman of a reconstituted military council or to nominate members to the council” (Rule, 1986). “Mr. Museveni, who signed a peace accord last month in Nairobi with General Okello in an effort to end years of bloodshed, characterized his participation in the peace talks as ”very painful” because he was sitting there ”with the criminals across the table.” He said he agreed to the accord because of pressure from other nations, which he criticized as being more interested in opening roads for trade than in the future of Uganda. He said his followers had made it clear they would not take part in any government in which ”criminals” were involved. The accord was never put into effect, and Mr. Museveni moved on Kampala a month after it was signed” (Rule, 1986).

That is why I have a big trouble with Museveni as a mediator. Not only his army is involved with the SPLA and even has a defense agreement (MoU) with them. Which means he is impartial and is indirectly a trading-partner and weapon-brother of President Salva Mayardit Kiir, which should be a no-no for anyone. However, that is not the worst issue, its a serious breach. But its the knowledge of how he himself was to settle the score and take Kampala in 1986.

In 1985 December, as the Okello Government was finalizing the Cease-Fire’s and putting down arms as the Nairobi Peace Agreement was supposed to do. Museveni armed to his teeth, continued to fight the government army and within a month took Kampala from him. That was the immoral acts and securing his NRA/M the power. Which he haven’t ceased since. So he calls the other parties and the other politicians at the talks in 1985 as criminals, however, he didn’t follow the agreement either. So, he isn’t as noble as he think he is. He used force to get his way, when he needed it. He used force against his brothers to take power and never let it go.

That is why he is the wrong guy to mediate anything. He will kill the ones who steps in his backyard and tries to take his cattle. A man who signed an agreement, but never had plans to follow it. As he wouldn’t be muffled in a coalition, which he couldn’t control. Is a man whose supposed to mediate in a conflict between various parties with different interests and motivations? Nah, you cannot be serious.

President Museveni shouldn’t be the one to trust this with, he will make sure President Kiir gets a head start and gets the weapons he needs to smash the opposition, to smash the rebel outfits and make sure the militias are dying. That is what Museveni does, he doesn’t speak peace. Unless, you leave him in peace in power. Than, you can do whatever you want. Please, remember to him your tax too. Peace.

Reference:

Kasasira, Ridsel – ‘Why Museveni is urging Kiir, opposition to hold talks’ (06.05.2018) link: http://www.monitor.co.ug/SpecialReports/-Museveni-Kiir-opposition-South-Sudan-SPLM-Igad-Machar/688342-4546986-30js91/index.html

Rule, Susan – ‘REBEL SWORN IN AS UGANDA PRESIDENT’ (30.01.1986) link: https://www.nytimes.com/1986/01/30/world/rebel-sworn-in-as-uganda-president.html

Rule, Susan – ‘REBELS IN UGANDA TAKE CONTROL OF CAPITAL, BUT BATTLES CONTINUE’ (26.01.1986) link: https://www.nytimes.com/1986/01/26/world/rebels-in-uganda-take-control-of-capital-but-battles-continue.html

Zimbabwe: Press Statement on ZANU PF Reruns (05.05.2018)

Zimbabwe: FOZEU Position on Media Speculation on Salary Hikes (06.05.2018)