THE EXPECTATIONS OF AND REQUESTS TO THE
EMERGING GOVERNMENT OF ZIMBABWE FROM
THE CIVIL SOCIETY IN ZIMBABWE
23 November 2017
We, the undersigned civil society organisations based and working in Zimbabwe
welcome the peaceful and smooth transition in the presidium currently underway in
Zimbabwe. We congratulate the incoming President and all members of his emerging
government. It is our hope that this transition will usher in a new era in Zimbabwe based
on the recognition of all fundamental rights of all people, respect for the rule of law and
adherence to the Constitution of Zimbabwe. We, as civil society, wish to express our
commitment to work with government in all efforts that are aimed at ensuring peace,
development, respect for human rights and fostering the rule of law in our country.
We also wish to draw the attention of the incoming President and all members of his
emerging government to the following five key issues we strongly feel are critical in the
realization of our shared vision of a new, progressive and better Zimbabwe:
1.
A commitment to inclusive, representative politics and free & fair elections:
On behalf of all citizens, Zimbabwe civil society calls upon the new President and his
government to create an environment conducive to the holding of free, fair and credible
elections, managed by a fully independent electoral body. We also appeal to the new President
and his government to ensure the establishment of a genuine constitutional democracy with a
clear separation between party, state and security sectors. Our hope is that the new
government will be able to foster national unity based on the recognition that Zimbabwe
belongs to all its citizens regardless of colour, ethnicity, tribe, gender, age or political affiliation.
We urge the incoming President to guarantee inclusivity and transparency in the process of
rebuilding our nation. It is our hope that the new government will be created based on the
involvement of all Zimbabweans, including those outside the ruling party and beyond the
political realm.
2.
A commitment to constitutionalism and the rule of law:
We support the government’s pledge to respect and honour the (existing) Constitution of
Zimbabwe andto uphold the rule of law.We therefore call upon the new government to abide
by the (existing) constitutional requirements for term limits for the presidency. We also hope
that the new government will ensure that there is be a public commitment by security forces to
respect the outcome of elections regardless of the liberation credentials of the successful party
or candidates.
3.
A commitment to human and economic rights for all:
We strongly believe that no political transition can be completewithout fulfilment of the
obligations to respect and promote the enjoyment of all human rights by all people regardless