Agreements between ZANU–PF and the Two MDC Formations

Zimbabwe, Southern Africa

Parties: Zimbabwe African National Union–Patriotic Front (ZANU–PF); two Movement for the Democratic Change (MDC) Formations

Type: Intra-state

The Parties to the MoU agreed to commit themselves to a dialogue with each other with a view to creating a genuine, viable, permanent and sustainable solution to the Zimbabwean situation. The Parties agreed on the timeframes and agenda for the dialogue, including on the objectives and priorities of a new Government, a framework for a new Government, implementation mechanisms and a Global Political Agreement. The Parties agreed not to take any decisions outside of the dialogue, while the dialogue is ongoing and which may impact on it, such as convening the Parliament. As interim measures, the Parties agreed to each issue a statement condemning the promotion and use of violence and call for peace in the country and to take all necessary measures to eliminate all forms of political violence. The Parties agreed to cooperate to ensure the safety of any displaced persons and their safe return home, and to refrain from using abusive language that may incite hostility, political intolerance and ethnic hatred or undermine each other.

The Parties to the September 2008 Agreement agreed to work together to create a genuine, viable, permanent, sustainable and nationally acceptable solution to the Zimbabwe situation. The Parties agreed to give priority to the restoration of economic stability and growth in Zimbabwe through an economic recovery strategy and plan, and to this end to establish a National Economic Council. The Parties agreed to conduct a comprehensive, transparent and non-partisan land audit, ensure that all Zimbabweans who are eligible to be allocated land and who apply for it would be considered, ensure security of tenure and work together for the restoration of full productivity on all agricultural land. The Parties agreed to set up a Select Committee of Parliament to consult and report to Parliament on its recommendations over the content of a New Constitution for Zimbabwe, which would thereafter be submitted to a referendum.

The Parties agreed on the functions of the new Government as including: ensuring equal treatment for all, ensuring equal development for all regions, striving to create an environment of tolerance and respect among Zimbabweans and considering setting up a mechanism to advise on national healing. The Parties agreed to reject any unlawful, violent, undemocratic and unconstitutional means of changing governments, and agreed that there should be free political activity throughout Zimbabwe, in which all political parties are able to propagate their views and canvass for support, free of harassment and intimidation. The Parties agreed to realise freedom of assembly and association, as well as freedom of expression and communication.

They agreed that State organs and institutions do not belong to any political party and should be impartial in the discharge of their duties. The Parties agreed that there be inclusion in the training curriculum of members of the uniformed forces of the subjects on human rights, international humanitarian law and statute law. The Parties called upon traditional leaders not to engage in partisan political activities. The Parties agreed that the National Youth Training Programme must be run in a non-partisan manner. The Parties further agreed that all displaced persons would be entitled to humanitarian and food assistance to enable them to return and settle in their original homes. The Parties agreed to promote the values and practices of tolerance, respect, non-violence and dialogue as means of resolving political differences and that all political parties, other organisations and their leaders would commit themselves to do everything to stop and prevent all forms of political violence. The Parties also agreed on a framework for a new Government, and that the constitutional amendments which are necessary for the implementation of this agreement would be passed by parliament and assented to by the President.