Mugabe rejects calls for a new constitution

October 27 2006 at 06:24PM
By Reuben Kachisi

Harare - President Robert Mugabe on Friday rejected calls by Zimbabwean churches for a new constitution to help end the country's political and economic crisis, but backed their initiative for a national political dialogue.

Critics say Mugabe - 82, and Zimbabwe's sole ruler since independence from Britain in 1980 - has manipulated the national constitution to tighten his grip on power in the face of severe difficulties many blame on his policies.

Speaking at the launch of a document called "The Zimbabwe We Want" by an alliance of the country's major churches, Mugabe said although he welcomed their initiative for dialogue, his government had some "non-negotiable" interests.

The group, including the influential Catholic Bishops' Conference, say they will lead a countrywide dialogue in the coming months on such issues as land, electoral and constitutional reforms, human rights, national reconciliation and economic policies.

In a bold challenge to Mugabe's policies, the alliance is proposing the establishment of an independent Land Commission to ensure fair distribution of land, and a review of tough media and security laws that critics say are being used to stifle the opposition.

Mugabe said he was not convinced the country needed a new constitution and those who believed that Zimbabwe's independence constitution was imposed by Britain were wrong. "We fought for it, our people died for it. There could never be another constitution so dear, so sancrosanct. True there might be amendments necessary to make, let us say so, but to say this is not home-grown is as if the British imposed this on us."

Mugabe generally treats demands for radical political reforms as part of a drive by his opponents to oust him from power over his seizures and redistribution of white-owned farms to black Zimbabweans.

In a 75-minute address, Mugabe said his government N which has fallen out with many Western donors - would ensure that "non-negotiable interests" around Zimbabwe's political rights and independence would be protected.

"The Zimbabwe we want cannot be one that allows its resources to be owned exclusively by foreigners, one that allows its non-renewable resources to be scooped and shipped to far-away countries for no real benefit to her people," he said.

Mugabe has proposed to follow up his controversial land reforms with a bill forcing foreign mining firms to surrender at least 51 percent shares to local investors.

"We must be sharers of our wealth, starting with the land," he said on Friday, adding that Zimbabweans must "have it, own it, keep it, and defend it."

Zimbabwe's main opposition Movement for Democratic Change leader Morgan Tsvangirai did not attend Fridays "national dialogue" launch, and there was no immediate comment from the MDC on his absence.

While Mugabe rejected constitutional change, he urged Zimbabweans to embrace the churches' call for dialogue.

"I appeal to all sections of our entire nation to receive this document in the spirit of constructive debate out of which will emerge consensus, some day," he said.