Robert Mugabe, President of Zimbabwe called for an end to political violence and committed his party to campaigning peacefully as the country marked the start of a national reconciliation process during the three days celebration in Harare, said the Reuters.
Zimbabwe was plunged into violence last year as Mugabe fought to reclaim power in a run-off vote after being defeated by Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) leader Morgan Tsvangirai, now prime minister in a new unity government.
As the Reuters reports, though the formation of the new administration in February has eased political tension, the MDC says some of its members continue to be targeted by Mugabe’s Zimbabwe African National Union – Patriotic Front (ZANU-PF) members in the countryside.
Mugabe said during the ceremony of making three days to observe national healing and reconciliation “there are still reported cases of political violence and these must stop”.
Followed President Mugabe’s speech, a veteran leader also said “We will commit members of our party in observation of the principles of non-violence. You should not succeed through violence but the efficacy of your political theory and your campaign”.
Zimbabwe has long battled its political violence from the colonial days as well as after independence in 1980 when a special unit led a crackdown against what it branded an insurgency in the Western parts of the country leaving thousands dead.
Civic groups says, according to the Reuters, up to 20, 000 people and mostly civilians were killed, but president Mugabe denies it by saying the figures were exaggerated.
He also previously described the period as “a moment of madness”.
Twenty yeas later, since 2000, unfortunately the country was once again plunged into political violence when liberation veterans started seizing white-owned commercial farms, killing dozens of farmers and opposition supporters during the process.
Most recently during the “cheated” election in 2008 as mentioned before, MDC said more than 200 of its members were killed to death in a violent run-off campaign which Mugabe won his opponent Tsvangirai, who indeed defeated Mugabe in the first round presidential election.
Tsvangirai said at the same ceremony: “These three days of dedication must herald the beginning of a genuine open and frank process that includes and incorporates the concept of transitional justice.
“Zimbabwe has suffered so many phases of trauma, upheaval and conflict that there must be agreement on defining the scope of the healing process.”
He added that the reconciliation process should also include the pre-independence period during which the former white colonial government was accused of atrocities against nationalist politicians challenging its rule.
The weekend or three days of national dedication to celebrate newly-found peace and unity was part of the program of the Organ on National Healing, Reconciliation and Integration’s activities over the next six months, the Zimbabwe Times reports.
John Nkomo, the Minister of State responsible for National Healing, Reconciliation and Integration made the remarks when he addressed the Zimbabwe Council of Churches held in Harare on the role of the Church as a reconciler, healer and peace builder.
He said the Church had a critical role to play in the healing and reconciliation process, pointing out that the majority of Zimbabweans were Christians, said the Zimbabwe Times.
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