Zimbabwe will continue on the path of national dialogue
with progressive stakeholders and will
not be swayed by negative forces working against the national spirit, President
Mnangagwa has said.
Further, President Mnangagwa drew an analogy saying even in
Heaven God had problems with the devil but He still remained the Creator.
President Mnangagwa made these remarks while fielding
questions from journalists during a press conference held at the conclusion of
the third session of the Zimbabwe-South Africa Bi-National Commission Summit in
Harare yesterday.
The President was asked on the progress made on the issue
of national dialogue and how inclusive the process was.
“With regards to the issue of dialogue, from the time of
the inception of the current dispensation, we have talked about peace, unity
and dialogue. That we have not left, we will continue to do so,” said President
Mnangagwa.
“However, in a democracy, it is not a crime to move away from
progress for those who are not willing to come to the table with the rest of
the parties and organisations in the country. We are determined to work on a
way forward for the betterment of our country and vision of our country to
better the lives of our people.
“We cannot compel everybody to come to the table. People
have their democratic right to walk away from progress, but those who have the
need and desire and who are patriotic to their country, they will always come
together and contribute their constructive ideas to moving forward.”
President Mnangagwa continued: “As a result of this
endeavour I have created the Presidential Advisory Council which puts together
the top brains of our people in Zimbabwe as well as top brains outside in
Zimbabwe in Sadc, on the continent and beyond who have agreed to come and
participate in that area so that we tape into the wisdom of those who have gone
before us in developing and modernising their countries.
“It is our view that we don’t need to commit the mistakes
of those who have gone ahead of us. We need to leap frog in terms of our
development to catch up with other developing countries but to do so, we need
their hands like what South Africa is doing – holding our hand, moving with us
and then other countries. This what we are doing. We will not be swayed by
negative forces because even the lord upstairs was not able to keep his house
in order – he had satan. So, these things happen but He still remains there as
the Creator.”
The remarks by President Mnangagwa followed a national
dialogue process that he initiated recent involving all political parties that
participated in the July 30 2018 harmonised elections.
MDC-Alliance and a few parties chose not to participate in
the national dialogue process.
In their absence, significant progress had been registered
in with political parties agreeing on the framework of the dialogue and setting
up committees to focus on various issues that will be covered by the dialogue.
Herald
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