Zimbabwe Peace Commission to draw up framework for national dialogue

The Zimbabwe National Peace and Reconciliation Commission yesterday said it will soon be inviting sectoral representatives to jointly formulate the framework to guide the national dialogue process.

It said as part of its mandate, the commission, is providing a platform for national dialogue to allow Zimbabweans to share their views on how to address the situation in the country and foster sustainable peace and development.

According to the national constitution, its mandate is to develop procedures and institutions at a national level to facilitate dialogue among political parties, communities, organisations and other groups, in order to prevent conflicts and disputes arising in the future.

President Emmerson Mnangagwa, who had to cut short his overseas visit to come and address problems at home, called for national dialogue on Tuesday.

The call has been welcomed by various sectors with leaders of the Roman Catholic Church meeting Vice-President Constantino Chiwenga and Defence Minister Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri yesterday.

The opposition Movement for Democratic Change has also said it is willing to talk but has set some conditions including the release of political prisoners detained following last week’s crackdown on anti-government protesters.

Several MDC legislators and trade union leaders were arrested and some are still on the wanted list.

Several civic organisations have called on the international community to intervene, but the NPRC said: “Let us all own the process that will create the end that we desire.”

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