human rights.70 However, ZANU-PF resolved at its fifth congress in December 2009 that it
would not allow the security forces to be the subject of any negotiation for “security sector
reform,” that would involve replacing the politicized leadership of Zimbabwe’s security
forces.71
In over a year since its formation, the National Security Council has met only twice, despite a
requirement that it meets at least once every month.72 Instead, the Joint Operations
Command—a structure from the previous ZANU-PF government that excludes the MDC—
continues to meet regularly in open defiance of a directive to disband.
70
“Who guards the guards? Civilian-Military relations in Zimbabwe.” Research and Advocacy Unit (RAU), March 15, 2010. See
also, Human Rights Watch, “Bullets for Each of You”, June 2008.
71
The resolutions of the Zanu PF party held at its 5th Ordinary National People’s Congress at the Harare International
Conference Centre (HICC), in Harare, from December 9 – 13, 2009.
72
Zimbabwe National Security Council Act, 2009.
21
Human Rights Watch | April 2010
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