THIS is part of the speech given by President Robert Mugabe at the historic signing of the unity deal between his Zanu PF party and the two formations of the Movement for Democratic Change on 15th September 2008 at the Rainbow Towers Hotel (formerly Sheraton Hotel).
FULL TEXT
PRESIDENT THABO MBEKI CHAIRMAN OF SADC
AND OUR HEROIC FACILITATOR
(Great applause and shouting!)
YOUR EXCELLENCIES: PRESIDENTS OF SADC COUNTRIES HERE PRESENTED AND REPRESENTATIVES OF THEIR EXCELLENCIES WHO HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO BE PRESENT TODAY AT THIS VERY IMPORTANT AND HISTORIC EVENT,
HIS EXCELLENCY MR JEAN PING, CHAIRMAN OF THE COMMISSION OF THE AU, MR MEINKERIOS REPRESENTING THE SECRETARY GENERAL OF THE UNITED NATIONS,
MY BROTHERS AND PARTNERS CDES PROFESSOR MUTAMBARA AND MR MORGAN TSVANGIRAI OF MDC FORMATION,
(More cheers)
LEADERS OF THE PARTIES INVOLVED AND REPRESENTED BY US AS WE NEGOTIATED THIS DEAL, ZANU PF AND THE TWO MDC FORMATIONS AND THOSE OF YOU WHO ARE HERE AND THOSE OF YOU WHO ARE NOT HERE WHOM YOU REPRESENT,
THOSE REPRESENTING OTHER GROUPS WHO ARE HERE AND HAVE BEEN INVITED AS GUESTS TO ATTEND THIS EVENT,
THE VARIOUS CHIEF REPRESENTATIVES OF BUSINES SECTORS, REPRESENTATIVES OF THE AGRICULTURE SECTOR, FARMERS AND OTHERS,
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, COMRADES AND FRIENDS.
This gathering is a re-enactment, in my view, of that togetherness and partnership the co-operation that has seen processes taking place here leading to a number of our countries attaining their Independence.
Yesterday, as we of Zimbabwe sought to liberate ourselves and the fight that was between us the people of Zimbabwe and oppressors, it was the front line states whom, together with us, shaped this trouble that led to our liberation land independence. It was that front line state forum that later transformed as countries became free and liberated in this region to what we now see as SADC.
But the process of our Independence here was a Zimbabwean question process foremost.
We the Zimbabweans decided that it was not right and proper, never just at all, for a people like ourselves to bear the yoke of colonialism and oppression for that long. We decided through our leaders of the time that we must form a movement that would liberate us. But we realised that we were, although united as time went on as people went on as people of Zimbabwe, although united in terms of our vision and in terms of our commitment, we were not the only ones who sought that liberation.
After all, we were and still are part of Africa. We were part of Southern Africa. Our problem was also our neighbours’ problem, so, Mozambique, Zambia, Tanzania - the problem of your brother is your problem and so they united with us.
(Applause)
They provided us not only the venues by hosting us on their territories and the venues we needed, but also the means – even their commitment – and they made enormous sacrifices. The enemy did not just point his guns at us, the Zimbabweans, no, he aimed his guns also at our neighbours. Botswana was attacked, Zambia was attacked, and Tanzania also was attacked. Eventually Mozambique, as it became free and hosted us, it also became free and hosted us, it also a target.
And today, as we who were faced and confronted by an intractable foe, here we are once again. They (the Front Line States) are with us.
I don’t see any British among them! African problems must be solved by Africans.
The problem that we have now is a problem that has been created by a former colonial power wanting to continue to interfere in our domestic affairs. Zimbabwe’s land belongs to Zimbabweans.
They interfered with our processes; they wanted to reverse them and still want to reverse them. They (Britain) spoke of regime change and they are still speaking of it. They imposed sanctions. We had not attacked Britain, we had not done anything to Britain. We had not attacked America. Why, why, why the hand of the Americans here? Let us ask that.
Let us not ignore the truth as we move forward. We must accept reality. As we move forward from now on, certain principles have to guide us because if this unity is going to last, those salient principles must be observed along the way.
Zimbabwe is a sovereign state and only the people of Zimbabwe have the fundamental right to govern it. They alone will set up governments. They alone will change those governments, no-one else has the right to decide on regime change. We are a sovereign people with a right of self determination. Having said that, we also recognize that as part of Africa, we cooperate within various frameworks. We must resist those who want to impose their own will on us.
We have (President Ian) Khama (Botswana) here, yes lots of things have been said, criticism has been written about him but the whole way I said nothing. Botswana, Botswana, Botswana! Ooooooh! I said I will never ever attack an African leader in public, never ever! In our forum of SADC we will tell each other about what we think of each other. I will get my day!
He is quite a very close friend, and a relative even. Whatever happened is history, let us look into the future.
I thought I knew him (President Mbeki) before. But I think I now know him thoroughly. He is a man who will not allow a problem to defeat him. He is a man who will never accept 'no' for an answer. He is a man also who will, using his gifted intellect, devise various ways and formulae by way of suggestions.
This suggestion, does it work? No? He varies it in that tactical and tactful way. Then it becomes a suggestion that you are finally able to accept. I thought by the time we went to SADC and Professor Mutambara and I had accepted and my brother here (Tsvangirai) had said 'no'. Had he said no to the king?
I thought that was the end and President Thabo Mbeki would not move forward. But he would not accept his 'no' for an answer. I wish I was young again and proposing to girls. I would say, give me some tips. He never accepts no for an answer.
We sat down with him (Tsvangirai). We tried to explain. What he wanted, (and that which) we didn’t want also. Finally we found areas of agreement and areas of disagreement.
There are a lot of things in the agreement that I did not like and still do not like.
Let us be allies. People will want to see if what we promise is indeed what we strive to do ... We are committed, I am committed, let us all be committed.
We will do our best. We know that for the two MDCs, its the first time that you are coming into government. You don’t start from nothing. You start from experience. Certain things may have well done, that’s experience. Certain things may not have been done well, that’s experience."
