Tendai Biti on the third anniversary of the GNU
From the Independent:
THE Government of National Unity (GNU) turned three on Monday. Zimbabwe Independent Senior Political Editor Faith Zaba (FZ) spoke to MDC-T Secretary-General, Tendai Biti (TB), also a negotiator, on elections, constitution-making, successes and of the current coalition. Find below excerpts from the interview.
FZ: There have been contradictory statements on the expiry of the GNU among parties to the agreement. What is the lifespan of the GNU?
TB: Anyone who says the GPA had a lifespan of two years clearly did not read the agreement itself or constitutional Amendment No 19. The only sunset clause is the constitution which demands that whether we like it or not, elections must be held in 2013.
FZ: Why have those 24 agreed issues (in the GPA) not been implemented? Is it lack of commitment on the principals’ part?
TB: I think the principals are committed but I get the feeling that there is a gap between the principals and the bureaucracy. The bureaucracy must implement agreements and directives of their principals. One of the greatest weaknesses of the GPA is that while we created an oversight role in Jomic, it operates at macro-level.
So in retrospect, maybe there should have been a sub-committee of cabinet consisting of vice-presidents and deputy prime ministers to deal with implementation.