Let us seize the time and reclaim our humanity.
6th February 2007; Harare, Zimbabwe
Confronting the National Crisis
Fellow citizens, there comes a time in the history and life of a nation when
a revolutionary call has to be made. The conditions obtaining in Zimbabwe
define and demand such a moment. We are suffering untold hardships. Every
Zimbabwean is crying out for salvation from hunger, poverty, destitution,
HIV/AIDS, escalating cost of living, unprecedented unemployment, and
meaningless wages. There are chronic shortages of basic commodities, fuel,
electricity, clean water, transport, and medicinal drugs. We cannot afford
to send our children to school, and the quality of education has been
eroded. All this is compounded by political repression and oppression at the
hands of an illegitimate regime. Consequently, we are living in abject
poverty, while our existence is now characterized by fear and uncertainty.
People of Zimbabwe, we have a duty and obligation to confront our plight as
a nation. We have to deliver change. We owe this responsibility to
posterity. History will never absolve us if we equivocate.
Our national socio-economic difficulties are inextricably linked to the
political crisis of legitimacy and governance. The socio-economic crisis is
beyond redress unless we resolve our political challenges.
As we recall the history of the success of the constitutional referendum, we
note that the success was dependent on the ability of Zimbabweans to speak
in unison and send a clear message to the ZANU(PF) regime. It was based on
the strength of operating with critical mass while expressing commonly held
positions. Our view is that there is absolutely no alternative to working
together as the people of Zimbabwe in a struggle to regain our freedoms and
liberties. This is a precondition to our collective economic salvation and
prosperity.
It is within this context of giving back the voice to the people of Zimbabwe
that the MDC outlines the following program aimed at restoring the people's
power to decide our destiny and preserving our dignity in the face of
continued attacks by ZANU(PF).
Fellow Zimbabweans, the hour has come for us to seize the time and reclaim
our humanity.
The MDC Defiance Campaign
The MDC Defiance Campaign is about saying NO to the postponement of the 2008
Presidential election. It is about saying NO to unfree and unfair elections.
It is about demanding, mobilizing, organizing and collectively engaging in
resistance for the restoration of democracy, political freedoms and our
dignity as a people. It is about a campaign for a new people-driven
democratic national constitution by all for all. It is to force the repeal
of a whole raft of repressive legislation, such as AIPPA and POSA. The
Defiance Campaign is non- violent and is aimed at building confidence in the
people in their ability to stand up for their freedoms and rights. It is
about the people of Zimbabwe speaking out on the issues that affect them on
a day to day basis and offering solutions to the national crisis. It is
about people taking charge of their lives.
The Defiance Campaign is about Zimbabweans uniting to confront our
challenges and organizing to resist our continued subjugation by the
ZANU(PF) government. The campaign is about saying NO to continued suffering
and hardships. It is about reclaiming the people's power by saying NO to
corruption, mismanagement and social breakdown under ZANU(PF). We are saying
NO to ZANU(PF) illegitimacy and misrule; NO to ZANU(PF) incompetence and
patronage; NO to the dictatorship of Robert Mugabe. It is about speaking
with one voice and saying NO! Enough is enough! We cannot accept any
further abuse and denigration.
Fellow citizens, just say NO to Robert Mugabe; just say NO to ZANU(PF).
Why the Defiance Campaign?
The MDC takes cognizance of the fact that the primary responsibility of
extricating the people from the current crisis lies with the people
themselves. It further acknowledges that for the people of Zimbabwe to
achieve emancipation they need to have a voice. We need to employ strategies
that work in order to preserve our nationhood for posterity. We must realize
that a strong people stand up for themselves, while a stronger people stand
up for each other. In beginning to participate in non-violent defiance
actions wherever they are, in whatever numbers, as individuals and as
groups, the people will rediscover their voice and power to build a critical
mass to face their challenges, and confront the dictatorship. The Defiance
Campaign will unite the people of Zimbabwe around issues common to them. It
will provide restoration of the people's voice.
The Roll Out
The Defiance Campaign is launched around the twin issues of saying NO to the
postponement of the 2008 Presidential election and saying NO to the holding
of elections under the current constitutional and legal arrangements. These
two issues are at the very core of the resolution of the current crisis. The
people's right to elect political leaders is not an issue that ZANU(PF) can
unilaterally postpone on behalf of the Zimbabwean people. The very proposal
is indicative of the disdain with which ZANU(PF) views the people of
Zimbabwe and its complete rejection of our voices and right to elect leaders
of our choice. It represents an uncouth attempt at continuing the rule of a
regime without due regard to people's wishes. The people of Zimbabwe through
the Defiance Campaign will defy all attempts at continued non-sanctioned
subjugation.
The current constitutional arrangements continue to allow for undemocratic
rule and preserve the existence of the ZANU(PF) regime. It is imperative
that any election be preceded by a new constitution which is the product of
a people driven process that ensures the guarantee of fundamental freedoms
and protects the democratic aspirations and values of the people. The people
of Zimbabwe through the Defiance Campaign should therefore say NO to the
holding of elections under the current constitution which will make our vote
an exercise in futility.
While the two issues identified will form the launch pad for the Defiance
Campaign, the MDC will in due course announce a series of defiance
activities throughout the country around key issues affecting the people of
Zimbabwe in their day to day existence. Campaigns will be organized around
socio-economic, bread and butter issues directly affecting our people. The
voice and agency of the people will be restored so that we can reclaim our
power and decide our destiny for the sake of posterity.
The power is within us, to stand up and be counted. We must be masters of
our own destiny. Lets all participate in the Defiance Campaign. Be a player,
not an observer. Let us seek to regain our voice so painfully taken away by
ZANU(PF). There is no activity or contribution that is insignificant. 2007
is the year of Defiance. It is the year of national action, leading to
people driven political and economic change in Zimbabwe. We must restore our
sense of duty and national pride. Our circumstances demand action.
Say No to the 2010 Presidential extension.
Say No to Elections under the current constitution.
Say No to Robert Mugabe and ZANU(PF).
There will be no compromise, retreat, or surrender.
It is defiance or death. It is confrontation or capitulation.
We choose to defy and confront.
Arthur G.O. Mutambara
MDC President
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