ZANU PF: 'Inclusive' Government Does Not Include Security Sector

Let us remember that Zimbabwe is ruled by what is reportedly a coalition government - or an inclusive government - but it is a government that only really run by ZANU PF. The MDC appointees find themselves marooned whenever it comes to any real decision.

The security sector is run by Mugabe and he refuses - point blank - for the cross-party negotiations to broach the subject, the authority or any reforms of what he regards as his own 'area of expertise'.

The security sector is Mugabe ace up his sleeve. It is from within those ranks that he has his most boisterous and secure support. Should he lose the control of the security forces, Zimbabwe would change overnight.

Mark my words.

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"The ZANU-PF party of Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe says it will not accept any proposals for security sector reform advanced by the Movement for Democratic Change which has accused the police, the military and intelligence forces of interfering in electoral politics on behalf of Mr. Mugabe and the former ruling party.

Negotiators for ZANU PF and the two MDC formations meeting in Cape Town, South Africa, last week asked President Jacob Zuma to schedule meetings with the unity government principals to take up the issue of security sector reform.

But the ZANU PF politburo resolved this week not to consider reforms of the security apparatus. Party officials say such intervention by Mr Zuma will not be tolerated.

Party officials said no foreign leader can dictate to Zimbabwe on national security."

Why is it, that whenever there is a suggestion that the security sector in Zimbabwe is supposed to be discussed in he negotiations, ZANU PF run and hide behind the expression 'national security'?

Mugabe and his underlings are telling the world that Zimbabwe is stable and peaceful. If that is the case, then what is this all about 'national security'?

"But Nhlanhla Dube, spokesman for the MDC wing of Industry Minister Welshman Ncube, said the proposed reforms are essential for the country to advance to democracy.

"There is no way we are going to support an election road map that does not embrace security sector reforms. That is not acceptable," Dube said."

By now, surely the MDC and SADC - reportedly the 'guarantors' of the Global Political Agreement - are now aware that Mugabe never intended to do very much more in the negotiations than waste time, whilst he ensured that his party (and the security forces, which he treats as an extension of the ZANU PF party) are ready to knock seven shades out of the Zimbabwean people (again) to ensure their 'election' to power once again.

Let's face it, ZANU PF continue as if the MDC are not a part of government - they are just a necessary element in the ZANU PF continuance to an all-powerful and all-encompassing hold over the good people of Zimbabwe.

The sooner that SADC stops sitting on their hands, the better, but I do believe that the time for action has long passed us by.

"Commenting, political analyst Zenzo Nkomo said that without such reforms it will be difficult to put an end to Zimbabwe’s perennial political crisis.

Elsewhere, ZANU PF secretary for administration Didymus Mutasa, a minister of state in President Mugabe's office, called on members of the party Friday to avoid factionalism and brace for elections later this year as ZANU PF has demanded.

Addressing some 3,000 supporters at a rally at Mount Carmel Secondary School in Headlands, Manicaland province, Mutasa criticized factionalism within the party.

ZANU PF political commissar Webster Shamu urged party members to gear up for elections saying there was no doubt they would be conducted this year.

Shamu said his party wanted elections because it was no longer happy with the coalition arrangement, agreed in 2008 following an inconclusive presidential vote."

Simple enough. Shut the doors and turn off the lights. Zimbabwe is doomed.... again.

Robb WJ Ellis

The Bearded Man