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Memorandum of Swaziland and Zimbabwe 07-03-08 |
Media alert
Please find below the memorandums handed over during yesterday's international solidarity demonstration in Tshwane.
Patrick Craven (National Spokesperson)
Congress of South African Trade Unions
1-5 Leyds Cnr Biccard Streets
Braamfontein, 2017
P.O. Box 1019
Johannesburg, 2000
SOUTH AFRICA
Tel: +27 11 339-4911/24
Fax: +27 11 339-5080/6940/ 086 603 9667
Cell: 0828217456
E-Mail: patrick@cosatu.org.za
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March 7, 2008
To: His Excellency the Majestic King Mswati III
Swaziland of Head of State
MEMORANDUM FROM THE SOUTH AFRICAN PROGRESSIVE FORCES FOR INTERNATIONAL SOLIDARITY, GATHERED ON THE 7TH DAY OF MARCH 2008, AT THE EMBASSY OF SWAZILAND, IN SUPPORT OF FREEDOM AND DEMOCRACY IN SWAZILAND, ZIMBABWE, KENYA AND FOR THE RESTORATION OF CIVILIAN POLITICAL RULE IN MYANMAR/BURMA
Preamble
We the people of South Africa, gathered under the banner of the International Solidarity Forum, led principally by the Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) and the South African Communist Party, supported in this action by the Zimbabwe Solidarity Forum in South Africa, the Swaziland Solidarity Network, the Young Communists League, the South African NGO Coalition, Free Burma Campaign, End Occupation Campaign, Western Sahara Solidarity Forum, the Anti-Privatisation Forum, South African Social Movements and progressive South African civil society organisations that include youth, women, labour, faith based institutions, human rights organisations and student formations that are engaged in the promotion of principled solidarity, peace, democracy and the respect for human rights.
We are gathered today with comrades and friends, the working class and the poor, struggling under the harsh social, political and economic conditions imposed on the populations of these African countries by the repressive and corrupt political elite of Zimbabwe, the repressive Royal dictatorship of Swaziland, the expediency of the Kenyan political leadership, the horrors of the Myanmar military junta in Burma, weak and ineffective SADC and AU institutions and the indolence of the South African Department of Home Affairs and the police.
Together we have marched from the Union Buildings in Pretoria to assert loudly and clearly to the diplomatic representatives of Kenya, Swaziland and Zimbabwe that enough is enough. Democracy is supposed to enable the expression of the will of the majority. It is one of the few mechanisms by which leaders must be held accountable. Yet you and your governments are subverting and repressing these systems.
In the context of our background of solidarity and internationalism, supported by many countries in Africa and throughout the world, in our struggle against a brutal system of apartheid, we demonstrate our internationalism and our deep seated anger at your enslavement of people in your countries.
On this the 7th day of March 2008 we amplify the voices of progressive forces from across the region, throughout the continent and from around the world. We demand that these voices be heard.
Since 1973, Swaziland political parties remain banned. The struggle for the basic democratic political environment, for credible, free and fair, election continues. Much of this is the result of the willingness with which the Swazi King has led the country to become a greedy part of the imperialist predatory system. A system which ignores the fundamental rights of the people to freedom, democracy and dignity associated with their demands. The repression in Swaziland cannot be justified under any circumstances. It is carried out to defend a system based on the rule by a wealthy royal elite and its networks, using the vicious suppression of human rights. Obscene wealth for a few in the midst of extreme poverty and rising rates of HIV/AIDS infections and deaths remain unchecked.
We are aware of your royal government plans, to hold a farcical elections in 2008, in pursuit of the legitimation of your obsolete political agendas, to maintain the status quo. We jointly pronounce with the people of Swaziland, the wide repudiation of these banana republic elections. These elections are neither meant for the people to demonstrate their collective demands through a participatory democratic process, nor will they reflect in any way, the will of the people of Swaziland.
The well documented intensifying repression that is being used against the people of Swaziland, indicate that the challenges in Swaziland will not be resolved through a deeply flawed and the veneer of façade highly criticised election process.
The extent to which African leadership are held accountable for their actions and to which SADC and the African Union are able to assert a progressive agenda will set precedents that will have far reaching implications for regional security and the general credibility of African institutions.
There is still an opportunity in Zimbabwe to show clearly that Robert Mugabe has been the spoiler in this process, the evidence is there. There is still an opportunity for SADC to demand that Swaziland respect the democratic culture of the region.
We therefore demand that your government:
unban all political parties, release political prisoners and allow the freedom and tolerance of expression of different political opinions, with free access to the media, judiciary, security and other state institutions
Initiates a serious national political process of dialogue and negotiations with the liberation movement PUDEMO and other stakeholders
Allow the return to Swaziland of all exiles and to create conducive climate for the repatriation and participation in the governance affairs and reconstruction of the country
Allow a democratic national constituent assembly to a new constitution in conditions of democratic and free participation
An end to the planned farcical national elections, and the channelling of those rare resources to poverty eradication and tackling of the scourge of HIV/AIDS
The institution of free multiparty electoral contest on the basis of universally acclaimed democratic norms and principles
Institute a dispensation for the separation of powers between the executive, the judiciary and the legislative state functions
Initiate constitutional, political, economic and social transformation processes that fundamentally change the power relations within your countries and alleviates the catastrophic poverty situation
We urge your government should respond to these demands within 10 days of the handing of the memorandum
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7 March 2008
Handed by
Signed on behalf of
Date
demonstrators
...................................
..................................
7 March 2008
Received by
Signed on behalf of the government of Swaziland
Date
March 7, 2008
To: His Excellency President Robert Mugabe
President of Zimbabwe
MEMORANDUM FROM THE SOUTH AFRICAN CIVIL SOCIETY PARTNERS GATHERED ON THE 7TH DAY OF MARCH 2008, AT THE EMBASSY OF SWAZILAND, IN SUPPORT OF FREEDOM AND DEMOCRACY IN ZIMBABWE, SWAZILAND, KENYA AND FOR THE RESTORATION OF CIVILIAN POLITICAL RULE IN MYANMAR/BURMA
Preamble
We the people of South Africa, gathered under the banner of the International Solidarity Forum, led principally by the Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) and the South African Communist Party, supported in this action by the Zimbabwe Solidarity Forum in South Africa, the Swaziland Solidarity Network, the Young Communists League, the South African NGO Coalition, Free Burma Campaign, End Occupation Campaign, Anti-Privatisation Forum, South African Social Movements and progressive South African civil society organisations that include youth, women, labour, faith based institutions, human rights organisations and student formations that are engaged in the promotion of principled solidarity, peace, democracy and respect for human rights.
We are gathered today with comrades and friends, the working class and the poor, struggling under the harsh social, political and economic conditions imposed on the populations of these African countries by the repressive and corrupt political elite of Zimbabwe, the repressive Royal dictatorship of Swaziland, the expediency of the Kenyan political leadership, the horrors of the Myanmar military junta in Burma, weak and ineffective SADC and AU institutions and the indolence of the South African Department of Home Affairs and the police.
Together we have marched from the Union Buildings in Pretoria to assert loudly and clearly to the diplomatic representatives of Kenya, Swaziland and Zimbabwe that enough is enough. Democracy is supposed to enable the expression of the will of the majority. It is one of the few mechanisms by which leaders must be held accountable. Yet you and your governments are subverting and repressing these systems.
In the context of our background of solidarity and internationalism, supported by many countries in Africa and throughout the world, in our struggle against a brutal system of apartheid, we demonstrate our internationalism and our deep seated anger at your enslavement of people in your countries.
On this the 7th day of March 2008 we amplify the voices of progressive forces from across the region, throughout the continent and from around the world. We demand that these voices be heard.
We strongly condemn your predetermination of the outcome of the harmonised elections of Zimbabwe planned for 29 March 2008. Your government has demonstrated blatant disregard of agreements reached through dialogue and makes a mockery of the SADC led mediation process. The well documented intensifying repression that is being used against the people of Zimbabwe, indicate that the challenges in Zimbabwe will not be resolved through a deeply flawed and highly criticised election process.
Your government has deployed the military, CIO, and the Registrar General to demarcate constituencies and register voters, outside of the procedures agreed in the mediation.
Ongoing levels of repression including the banning and suppression of popular demonstrations and opposition activities and related beatings and torture add to the reality that nothing has really changed.
The central point of the mediation was to put in place constitutional, electoral and political conditions that would provide for a generally acceptable election result that would open the way for a broader international legitimacy for a newly elected government in Zimbabwe. The recalcitrance on the part of your government once again provides an obstacle to progress in the present environment, as it attempts to make as few cosmetic changes as possible to remain in power.
There is an emerging consensus that dialogue and multilateralism to support solutions initiated by Zimbabweans, driven by external support and pressure from the African Union and SADC, must remain the underlying principles that inform any attempt at resolving the crisis. We have argued that the same principles should also apply to countries like Kenya and Swaziland.
It is critical that your government and all the political protagonists in Zimbabwe achieve a settlement in a way that sets the correct precedents. The use of force will undermine the long peace and instability in the country and the region.
The SADC initiated mediation must be understood as a serious acknowledgment by a legitimate African inspired institution that the crisis in Zimbabwe is deep enough to warrant an external intervention.
We will therefore actively engage your government, the opposition, civil society and regional solidarity movements in asserting and defending the right to organise and mobilize the working class, the urban poor and marginalised and excluded rural communities and ensure that revolutionary gains are not lost and that the voice of the masses is heard.
We will call on SADC to take a stand and to openly declare that the process which SADC initiated in Zimbabwe has not been followed in the spirit that is required, including a call on the African Union to lay down the conditions under which leadership will be recognised and respected.
We therefore demand that your government:
Allow a broad multi-stakeholder constitution to draft a new peoples constitution
Ensure a free multiparty electoral contest on the basis of universally acclaimed democratic principles and standards, as set out in various international protocols
Ensuring a free and independent electoral commission runs the elections, without fear or favour
'"Scrupulously" adhere to and implement SADC guidelines on free and fair democratic elections
Allow freedom of the press, free political activity for all parties to campaign without intimidation and fear
Demilitarise the youth militia and cease with immediate effect their use in political violence
Allow international observers to monitor and observe elections in Zimbabwe.
Initiate constitutional, political, economic and social transformation processes that fundamentally change the power relations within your countries and alleviates the catastrophic poverty situation
We urge your government should respond to these demands within 10 days of the handing of the memorandum
...................................
..................................
7 March 2008
Handed by
Signed on behalf of demonstrators
Date
...................................
..................................
7 March 2008
Received by
Signed on behalf of Zimbabwe government
Date
March 7, 2008
To: His Excellency President Mwai Kibaki
President of Kenya
MEMORANDUM FROM THE SOUTH AFRICAN PROGRESSIVE FORCES FOR INTERNATIONAL SOLIDARITY, GATHERED ON THE 7TH DAY OF MARCH 2008, AT THE EMBASSY OF SWAZILAND, IN SUPPORT OF FREEDOM AND DEMOCRACY IN KENYA, SWAZILAND, ZIMBABWE AND FOR THE RESTORATION OF CIVILIAN POLITICAL RULE IN MYANMAR/BURMA
We the people of South Africa, gathered under the banner of the International Solidarity Forum, led principally by the Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) and the South African Communist Party, supported in this action by the Zimbabwe Solidarity Forum in South Africa, the Swaziland Solidarity Network, the Young Communists League, the South African NGO Coalition, Free Burma Campaign, End Occupation Campaign, Anti-Privatisation Forum, South African Social Movements and progressive South African civil society organisations that include youth, women, labour, faith based institutions, human rights organisations and student formations that are engaged in the promotion of principled solidarity, peace, democracy and respect for human rights.
We are gathered today with comrades and friends, the working class and the poor, struggling under the harsh social, political and economic conditions imposed on the populations of these African countries by the repressive and corrupt political elite of Zimbabwe, the repressive Royal dictatorship of Swaziland, the expediency of the Kenyan political leadership, the horrors of the Myanmar military junta in Burma, weak and ineffective SADC and AU institutions and the indolence of the South African Department of Home Affairs and the police.
Together we have marched from the Union Buildings in Pretoria to assert loudly and clearly to the diplomatic representatives of Kenya, Swaziland and Zimbabwe that enough is enough. Democracy is supposed to enable the expression of the will of the majority. It is one of the few mechanisms by which leaders must be held accountable. Yet you and your governments are subverting and repressing these systems.
In the context of our background of solidarity and internationalism, supported by many countries in Africa and throughout the world, in our struggle against a brutal system of apartheid, we demonstrate our internationalism and our deep seated anger at your enslavement of people in your countries.
On this the 7th day of March 2008 we amplify the voices of progressive forces from across the region, throughout the continent and from around the world. We demand that these voices be heard.
Understanding that the shenanigans of the Kenyan leadership dictate that whatever the outcome of their elitist horse trading one thing is clear. The Kenyan people have lost the election. The senseless deaths of hundreds of citizens cynically manipulated in a power struggle for land and the control of resources must be condemned. The sinister role of the International community and Kenya's status as a US client state put blood on the hands of far more than just the Kenyans alone. The politicians of Kenya and the power hungry elite they service must be held accountable.
The controversy surrounding the electoral victory by the Kibaki regime confirms the fact that elections are not just about standing in a queue to make a cross, but an all-round process of free mass participation, public engagement and the right to choose from given choices and to make informed choices, for that matter.
There is an emerging consensus that dialogue and multilateralism to support solutions initiated by Kenyans, driven by external support and pressure from the African Union and SADC, must remain the underlying principles that inform any attempt at resolving the crisis
It is critical that regional and continental bodies achieve a settlement in a way that sets the correct precedents. The use of force will undermine the long term intentions of the integration of our continent.
Defending the right to organise and mobilize all sectors of society. Actively organising the working class, the urban poor, marginalised and excluded rural communities and the oppressed still provides the greatest chance of ensuring that small gains are not lost and that the voice of the masses will be heard.
The extent to which African leadership are held accountable for their actions and to which the African Union is able to assert a progressive agenda will set precedents that will have far reaching implications for regional security and the general credibility of African institutions.
We therefore call on the government of Kenya:
Use the prevailing political consensus to address the causes of the disastrous conflict in Kenya that led to the killing of more than a thousand people
Initiate constitutional, political, economic and social transformation processes that fundamentally change the power relations within your countries immediately.
To recognize that unless conditions for democracy and popular expression are immediately implemented a process of collective action will ensure that individuals and nations that block these processes will be held accountable.
Address the underlying social problems of poverty, unemployment and inequality and delink the country's economic dependence on the IMF and World Bank-inspired economic structural adjustment programmes
Close down all foreign countries military bases in Kenya which are the source of imperialist military neo-occupations, conflicts and wars with stoking negative development on the continent
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..................................
7 March 2008
Handed by
Signed on behalf of demonstrators
Date
...................................
..................................
7 March 2008
Received by
Signed on behalf of Kenya government
Date