No GPA extension: President
Posted: Friday, October 15, 2010

By Takunda Maodza
October 15, 2010 - The Herald

PRESIDENT Mugabe has said the constitution-making process should be concluded within the lifespan of the Global Political Agreement to facilitate elections mid-next year because he is not interested in extending the life of the inclusive Government.

The GPA – which gave birth to the inclusive Govern-ment that brought together Zanu-PF, MDC-T and MDC – has a lifespan of 24 months that is set to end in February next year.

President Mugabe said a referendum should be held in the first three months of the year, and elections mid-next year.

Addressing the Zanu-PF National Youth Assembly in Harare yesterday, President Mugabe expressed dismay at Mr Tsvangirai's propensity to invite foreigners, particularly Europeans, into Zimbabwe's domestic affairs.

He said that was not the basis on which the inclusive Government was formed.

The constitution-making process, President Mugabe said, was almost complete and a referendum has to be conducted to pave way for elections.

"The life of this creature called the GPA is only two years and it started in February last year. So, February this year it was one year down.

"February next year, which is about four months to go, then it will have lived its full life and I do not know what is going to happen if we are not ready with a constitution.

"Some will say let us negotiate and give it another life. I am reluctant because part of the things that are happening (in the inclusive Government) are absolutely foolish and stupid."

President Mugabe said the inclusive Government was formed to resolve domestic issues internally with the assistance of Sadc and the African Union; not Europeans.

The Head of State and Government and Commander-in-Chief of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces said MDC-T relied on the same Europe and America that imposed illegal sanctions on the country.

He said he had no objections to constitution-making being given more time to wind up, but was totally against giving the inclusive Government another lease of life.

"We have to work on the outreach programme quickly so that we do not offend the life of the inclusive Government.

"If it is a question of just a couple more months, then I will have no objections but to give it another life of six months or one year, no, no, no."

President Mugabe said he anticipated the referendum in the first quarter of 2011 and elections to take place mid next year.

"I do not see any reason why we cannot do that. So, are you prepared for elections?" he asked to thunderous yeses from delegates.

The President urged youths to desist from violence during elections.

"Discipline, discipline; no to violence. We want very peaceful elections.

"We are a dynamic party, a party with history, a party with a leadership that has principles," he said.

President Mugabe said unlike the "clueless" MDC formations, Zanu-PF has sound principles and policies.

"All they have is 'Mugabe must go', 'Zanu-PF must go'. All they have is regime change like their masters.

"A regime change they will never see," he added.

"Who are you to say 'he must go'? Tell us imi vanaTsvangirai. Tiudzei kuti maivepi Zanu-PF ichirwira nyika? Where were you?" he asked to enthusiastic applause.

President Mugabe warned the MDC formations against reversing gains brought through the barrel of the gun.

He said: "So there is this other lot which does not accept that we are a complete people without the Europeans coming to us and being by our side. That is the MDC.

"Iye zvino muGPA vanomhanya kuvarungu ndiko kwavanotaura kumaBritish, maGermans, maFrench.

"Vanokokwa uyai munzwe ndizvo zvirikuita VaMugabe varikuramba kutipa nzvimbo dzemagovernors, varikuramba kutipa ma ambassadors.

"We are not sellouts. Who are those people you go to, to explain differences?

"What are they to you? You are not complete without them ... your thinking can only be complete when the white men say this is right ..."

President Mugabe reminded MDC-T that the only good imperialist was a dead one.

His meeting with the youth leadership executive was the first since it was elected into office last year.

Speaking to journalists after his address, President Mugabe dismissed as "nonsensical" claims by MDC-T that he unilaterally appointed ambassadors and judges.

He said the party was aware of the developments a long time ago.

"It's politicking by the MDC, which is absolutely nonsensical."

President Mugabe said due processes were followed. 

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