This
AGM
was
held
at
an
exceptionally
critical
moment
for
Zimbabwe,
farmers,
workers,
women,
youth,
business,
the
pro-democracy
movement,
and
the
nation
as
a
whole.
The
meeting
acknowledged,
with
candour,
that
the
gains
of
18
April
1980-
freedom,
democracy
and
prosperity-
are
under
attack.
Zimbabwe
remains
mired
in
deepening
socio-economic
decline,
democratic
regression,
and
political
repression.
The
enactment
and
enforcement
of
various
pieces
of
legislation,
including
the
Private
Voluntary
Organisations
(PVO)
Act,
have
significantly
curtailed
civic
space,
criminalised
legitimate
civil
society
work,
and
undermined
constitutionally
guaranteed
freedoms
of
association,
expression,
and
participation.
Statutory
Instrument
156
of
2023
unconstitutionally
removed
Parliamentary
oversight
on
the
Mutapa
Investment
Fund,
the
people’s
$16
billion
conglomerate.
This
is
the
greatest
state
robbery
since
independence.
Citizens
are
the
greatest
losers,
as
defined
by
the
state
of
public
transportation,
education,
health
and
the
welfare
sectors.
Despite
these
escalating
challenges,
the
Coalition
has
remained
steadfast
in
its
mission
to
promote
inclusive
national
development,
uphold
human
rights,
and
defend
the
Constitution—now
under
direct
and
sustained
attack
as
the
ruling
elite
aggressively
pursues
a
2030
agenda
aimed
at
entrenching
life
presidency
and
permanent
authoritarian
rule.
Historical
Role
and
Democratic
Legacy
The
AGM
reflected
on
the
Coalition’s
journey
since
its
formation
in
2001,
recognising
its
pivotal
role
in
Zimbabwe’s
democratic
struggles.
The
Coalition
was
instrumental
in
major
civic
interventions,
including
the
Save
Zimbabwe
Campaign,
which
contributed
significantly
to
the
political
pressure
that
led
to
the
Government
of
National
Unity
(GNU).
CiZC
has
consistently
championed
constitutional
reform,
actively
mobilised
citizens,
and
engaged
regional
bodies—including
SADC
platforms—to
internationalise
Zimbabwe’s
democratic
crisis.
However,
members
also
acknowledged
the
systematic
repression,
intimidation,
and
obstruction
that
has
defined
the
Coalition’s
operating
environment
over
the
years.
Political
and
Economic
Repression
Since
2001,
the
Coalition—alongside
other
democracy
and
governance-focused
civil
society
organisations—has
operated
under
shrinking
democratic
space,
the
weaponisation
of
repressive
laws,
and
the
consolidation
of
authoritarian
rule.
These
conditions,
exacerbated
by
severe
funding
constraints,
have
had
a
chilling
effect
on
civil
society
operations.
Members
have
endured
state
surveillance,
arbitrary
arrests,
meeting
bans,
disruptions,
and
harassment,
all
designed
to
silence
dissent
and
prevent
accountability.
This
repression
has
gravely
undermined
advocacy
for
transparency,
accountability,
constitutionalism,
and
the
protection
of
fundamental
rights.
The
AGM
unequivocally
noted
that
this
trajectory
represents
a
direct
assault
on
the
gains
of
18
April
1980.
Zimbabwe’s
liberation
promise
is
under
threat,
and
the
defence
of
the
Constitution
has
become
an
urgent
national
duty.
Socio-Economic
Crisis
and
State
Capture
The
AGM
expressed
deep
concern
over
the
collapse
of
living
standards,
with
the
majority
of
citizens
sinking
further
into
poverty
amid
declining
incomes
and
rising
costs
of
living.
While
official
narratives
boast
of
6%
GDP
growth,
this
growth
is
illusory
and
exclusionary,
benefiting
less
than
10%
of
the
population.
Ordinary
workers
earning
as
little
as
US$100
per
month
are
heavily
taxed,
while
vast,
unexplained
cash
movements
and
elite
wealth
transfers
remain
untouched.
The
Constitution
has
been
systematically
shredded
as
a
ruling
cartel
loots
public
resources
through
fraudulent
tenders—including
election,
water,
construction,
and
infrastructure
contracts.
An
estimated
25,000
children
remain
out
of
school,
while
nearly
half
of
those
enrolled
miss
classes
due
to
unaffordable
fees.
Zimbabwe’s
public
health
system
has
deteriorated
to
the
point
where
admission
into
a
public
hospital
has
become
a
life-threatening
gamble.
Women,
youth,
persons
with
disabilities,
and
orphans
bear
the
heaviest
burden
of
this
crisis.
Faced
with
poverty
and
hopelessness,
many
Zimbabweans
are
“voting
with
their
feet”,
joining
a
growing
exodus
to
Botswana,
South
Africa,
and
Europe.
The
AGM
stated
unequivocally:
these
crises
are
man-made.
While
citizens
suffer,
the
political
elite
squander
public
funds
on
luxury
vehicles
and
patronage.
Unresolved
Historical
Injustices
The
AGM
further
noted
that
longstanding
national
wounds—including
Gukurahundi
and
other
post-1980
political
injustices—remain
unresolved.
While
attempts
have
been
made
to
address
these
issues,
they
have
been
tokenistic,
unconsultative,
and
devoid
of
genuine
political
will,
deepening
national
trauma
rather
than
promoting
healing
and
justice.
Way
Forward
In
light
of
the
intensifying
repression,
shrinking
civic
space,
and
the
systematic
use
of
the
law
to
crush
pro-democracy
forces,
the
membership
unanimously
resolved
that
it
is
in
the
best
strategic
interest
of
the
Crisis
in
Zimbabwe
Coalition
to
dissolve
its
current
organisational
structure
with
immediate
effect
and
deliberate
on
a
renewed
strategic
direction.
This
decision
does
not
represent
defeat.
Rather,
it
is
a
deliberate,
strategic
repositioning
aimed
at
safeguarding
the
continuity,
relevance,
and
effectiveness
of
the
people’s
aspirations
in
line
with
the
Preamble
of
the
Constitution
of
Zimbabwe: “
We
the
people
of
Zimbabwe….commit
ourselves
to
fight
for,
and
guard
the
supremacy
of
the
Constitution,
rule
of
law,
and
principles
of
good
governance”.
The
struggle
for
democracy,
justice,
and
prosperity
in
Zimbabwe
continues.
Post
published
in:
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