Zimbabwe parliamentarians from both theruling party and the main oppositionMovement for Democratic Change (MDC) are expected to debate the law toform a unity government today (Thursday). Today's debate forms part of thefirst step towards an all inclusive government between the opposition MDC andPresident Robert Mugabe's ruling ZANU-PF. This follows a meeting between theopposition leader and South Africa's President Kgalema Motlanthe to addressconcerns raised by the opposition. MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai said he ascontent with the meeting with the South African leader to clear the obstaclesof the power sharing deal with Zimbabwe's ruling ZANU-PF party. Nelson Chamisais an opposition member of parliament and spokesman for the MDC. He tellsreporter Peter Clottey that he expects a smooth debate to pave the way for aunity government.
"Wewere supposed to debate this amendment number 19 on Tuesday, but because therehad been some misunderstanding between ourselves and ZANU-PF with regards towhen and how this bill was supposed to be brought to parliament, we argued thatthe outstanding issue has to be resolved. Fortunately, those issues have beenresolved and in fact the negotiators yesterday in South Africa managed to dealwith those issues. So, today we are supposed to debate and have amendmentnumber 19 on the floor of the national assembly," Chamisa noted.
Hesaid when the bill becomes law it paves the way for an all inclusive betweenPresident Mugabe's ZANU-PF party and the opposition MDC.
"Whenit goes through the senate, hopefully it would be passed into law, paving theway for the formation of the inclusive government, which is going to be markedby the swearing in of the prime minister and deputy prime ministers as well ascabinet ministers later after the 11 that is on the 13.Then the government is supposed to be in place," he said.
Chamisasaid today's debate would go smoothly because of what he describes as clearedobstacles of the power sharing agreement between the opposition and theZANU-PF.
"I don't quite seecontroversies or any impediments because this is basically the giving of legaleffect to a political settlement. Something that has been agreed upon by thepolitical parties involved in this process. So, I just expect a smooth sailingon the flow of this amendment in parliament and in the senate and then we waitfor the next step," Chamisa pointed out.
He said the release of theopposition political prisoners would be a sign of benevolence by the rulingZANU-PF party.
"In fact what becomescritical is then the release of the abductees or those who were arrestedagainst their will because again it is going to be a big issue. A significantgesture of goodwill, a manifestation of a new direction and a new dispensationand a new page that we have turned to and I think it is going to be critical insignaling that indeed there is an atmosphere of good faith. And that there issincerity and that indeed we have opened a new chapter as a people," he said.
Chamisa said Zimbabweansshould be hopeful after concerns of the opposition party over disagreements inthe power sharing talks were resolved.
"It is a dawn of a new era.The sun is rising and we all need to get ready to work for our country and wehave to be hopeful and optimistic. I have no doubt that the people of Zimbabwegiven the chance and the opportunity always comes second to none. In fact weare going to shine as a nation we are going to be the beacon of Africa andindeed the whole world as the haven of democracy and a guardian of freedom andjustice. And I have no doubt in my mind that given the opportunity Zimbabweansalways rise to the occasion," Chamisa pointed out.
He said the people ofZimbabwe are ready to face any challenges to rebuild the country.
"Of course we are going tohave challenges, but we will overcome those challenges. We have a lot of opportunitiesfor the people of Zimbabwe because of our hard work, industriousness, educationand the peace loving nature of our people. And those things are going to beimportant ingredient for the blossoming of this great nation," he said.
Today'sdebate paves the way for a unity government amid calls by the AfricanUnion and the South Africa forinternational sanctions against Zimbabwe to be lifted to assist in reviving thecountry's economic malaise.
African leaderswho just ended a summit in the Ethiopia's capital Addis Ababa pushed forsanctions to be lifted against Mugabe's regime after the MDC agreed to join thegovernment last Friday.