Kick out Mugabe!

Submitted by AWL on 14 April, 2008 - 8:13 Author: Mike Sambo, International Socialist Organisation Zimbabwe

The ISO is linked to the SWP. We do not agree with much of the analysis, particular the comrades' call to critically support the MDC, and will respond in the next issue of Solidarity, but we print their call as an act of solidarity.

Mike Sambo:
Zimbabwe is at a cross roads as both Zanu PF and the MDC square up for a presidential run off. The 29 March elections shook Mugabe as the opposition scooped many more parliamentary seats than he had anticipated. Morgan Tsvangirai's MDC won 99 seats to Zanu PF's 97, with six for the other MDC faction; in the upper house the two groups are tied 30-30.

There can be no doubt that the elections posed the need for a radical left force in opposition to the MDC. Nonetheless, congratulations to the poor of this country who have spoken clearly to tell Mugabe they want a change.

Contrary to our earlier predictions, people came out in large numbers to support the MDC even in rural areas, where we had thought Mugabe would maintain his support. Both urban and rural people voted with their stomachs. It is hunger caused by the deepening economic crisis that made people throw their support behind the MDC.

Our previous position had been to actively campaign against the elections, for three main reasons. Firstly, we were convinced that Mugabe would not surrender power, but make sure he won by hook or by crook. Secondly, we shared the conviction of other civil society groups that the chances of an MDC victory under the current constitution, which gives Mugabe extensive power to manipulate the electoral process, were very slim.

Lastly, we were clear that Mugabe, even if he did win, has no solution to the crisis facing the country. His only options were to make an elitist settlement and create a government of national unity with the MDC as a junior partner - or, less likely, to adopt a more “radical” stance and try to survive under the Cuba or North Korean model. The only alternative was a social uprising by the oppressed and exploited from below.

We condemned the elections because they were being used to suffocaet the possibility of an imminent social revolution. Mugabe wanted elections to determine who would have the upper hand in a government of national unity.

We are being vindicated, in that as I write the Minister of Legal and Parliament affairs has announced on national TV that the MDC has despatched emissaries to negotiate a unity deal with the Zanu PF.

However, we were wrong to underestimate the eagerness of the working people for change. We thought the building of anti-neo-liberal alternatives like the People's Convention had priority rather than mobilising support for the MDC.

Continued from back page

The MDC's previous manifestos did not talk about bread and butter issues - they were based entirely on blaming the government for the economic meltdown. They have now adopted the People's Charter drafted by the People's Convention, which promises things like free education, free healthcare and other demands we have always urged on the MDC.

At the same time, the MDC is continuing its obvious mistake of relying on the western powers and the courts rather than mobilising the masses. Meanwhile, Zanu PF seems to be gaining confidence again: they have launched fresh farm invasions and filled the streets with police to intimidate the people, and it is they who have taken the lead in challenging parliamentary results, not the opposition.

Prospects of an MDC victory in the run off

Both dissident Zanu PF candidate Simba Makoni and the other MDC faction, which supported him, have pledged support for the Tsvanirai in the run off. It will be very difficult for Mugabe to survive.

Yet history may repeat itself. In 2000 Mugabe lost the constitutional referendum, but through decisive action went on to 2002 elections. The legislation establishing a run off if a candidate fails to garner a majority of votes was crafted in 2002 in order to have the first round as a test and allow strategic changes Zanu PF to win in the second round. Hence the farm invasions, the threat to seize all mines and rhetoric about forcing inflation-proof pay rises.

Zanu PF is still confident, which is why the MDC emissaries requesting a government of national unity were turned away without talks.

The ISO's position on the run off

We had an ISO central committee meeting on 5 April at which we consulted with all our branches nationwide about whether to stick with our previous perspective of no support for the MDC.

The general consensus was that we should now unconditionally but critically support the MDC in the run off, for one purpose - to remove Mugabe - without creating illusions with the MDC, who offer more or less the same economic programme as Zanu PF.

The overwhelming support the MDC received across the country indicates a rising working people’s movement in resistance to the dictatorship; it would be wrong for us to remain outside such a movement.

We do not forget that in its journey to today, the MDC has gone through an unconcealed class purge, removing rank-and-file members from influential positions. The party's parliamentary candidates are, with a few honourable exceptions, dominated by business people and the middle classes, fully geared for neoliberal economic policies.

People have no illusions in the MDC; they support it as a means to bring down the dictatorship, not an end in itself.

Consider the levels of economic crisis in Zimbabwe, caused by western-imposed sanctions, it would be wrong to ignore the fact that working people are most affected by such sanctions. Obviously if the MDC wins power the sanctions will be removed and there will be some sort of economic stability, though it might not be that much.

For these reasons, and after considering advice last year from the SWP leadership, who urged us to establish some fraternal relations with the MDC, our central committee agreed that were wrong not to participate in the movement for change - though right to urge no illusions in the MDC. An MDC victory would mean an opening up of the democratic space sealed off by Mugabe.

Zimbabwean women take to the streets

From Women of Zimbabwe Arise

WOZA was due to take to the streets of Bulawayo on Wednesday 9 April to call on the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission to release the results of the presidential election.

Having watched and waited to see if anyone would mobilise non-violent action, and having seen none to date, members of WOZA planned to begin their rollout of peaceful actions at in Bulawayo at 1pm. The protest should proceed through the city centre for several blocks.

Our aim is to put pressure on the ZEC to release the true results of the presidential election, and call for an end to the state-sponsored violence that has been reported in rural areas.

By demonstrating, we are exercising our rights to freedom of expression and assembly in defiance of the Public Order Security Act. It was not clear what the reaction of the security forces was going to be.

www.wozazimbabwe.org

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