Zimbabwe: Country overview The Organ for National Healing, Reconciliation and Integration Hon. Sekai Masikana Holland Minister of State in the Office of the President and Cabinet, Organ for National Healing, Reconciliation and Integration (ONHRI) 1 It is with humility that I stand before you today addressing those who have come from countries within and beyond the region, and local participants, to share experiences on transitional justice in Zimbabwe. On behalf of the Organ for National Healing, Reconciliation and Integration (ONHRI) Principals, made up of Vice-President John Landa Nkomo, the Chairman, Minister Moses Mzila-Ndlovu and myself, may I take this opportunity to convey our sincere welcome to you. It is the ONHRI’s fervent hope that you will find time to truly sample the abundant hospitality of the Zimbabwean people. The President of the Republic of Zimbabwe, guided by the Global Political Agreement (GPA), in consultation with the leaders of the political parties signatory to this agreement, appointed three Elders as Ministers of State in his office with the specific mandate to pursue the provisions of Article VII of the GPA, as enshrined in Schedule 8 to the Constitution of Zimbabwe. The operative part provides that the Inclusive Government shall ‘Give due consideration to the setting up of a mechanism to properly advise on what measures might be necessary and practicable to achieve National Healing, Cohesion and Unity in respect of victims of pre- and post-independence conflict.’ In this context, the ONHRI would like to applaud the unity of purpose exhibited so far by key stakeholders like the traditional leaders, who have demonstrated a keen interest in promoting peace-building and reconciliation in their areas of jurisdiction, co-ordinated at the national level by the Chiefs’ Council. Similarly, the efforts of faith-based organizations (FBOs) and civil society organizations (CSOs), among so many other groupings and individuals, are accordingly acknowledged. The partnership established between the Heads of Christian Denominations and CSOs, resulting in the Church and Civil Society Forum, working in close 1  This speech was delivered by Mrs Sibusisiwe Zembe, the Principal Director of ONHRI, on behalf of Hon. Sekai Holland. International Conference on Transitional Justice, Zimbabwe 3