BY CISA
HARARE, JULY 10, 2020 (CISA)-The Zimbabwe Council of Churches (ZCC) will on Monday July 13 convene a meeting of all political parties to discuss the country’s political stalemate that has resulted in untold economic suffering in the country.
“This will be a closed-door meeting although a public communiqué will be shared with the media. Bilateral pre-meetings are currently underway in preparation for the consultation. We are not yet able to disclose details of responses,” the ZCC Secretary General Kenneth Mtata said, noting that all political parties have been invited to the meeting to be held in Harare.
“Bishops will be meeting leaders of political parties for a shared reflection on the current situation and explore possible shared solutions. Some principals have already confirmed participation,” he said.
The two main political factions have expressed readiness to participate in the upcoming National Dialogue. MDC Alliance deputy spokesperson Clifford Hlatshwayo confirmed that his party had received the invitation.
“We have received that invitation and we are processing it within our organs. MDC Alliance is open for genuine initiatives that seek to unite Zimbabweans and resolve the current political crisis. We are the solution,” he said.
Zanu PF acting spokesperson Patrick Chinamasa, however, said his party was yet to receive the invitation, but would give it due consideration when it comes.
“So far we have not received the invite. However, when the invitation comes, we will make our internal consultations within the party hierarchy and organs then make an informed decision. At this stage, we would not want to preempt such processes by commenting a lot on the said invitation for dialogue,” he said.
Clerics have been pushing for National Dialogue since the July 30, 2018, disputed presidential elections.
