By Staff Reporter
The Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition (CiZC) has lamented the erosion of democratic values and the continued suffering of Zimbabweans under what they described as a regime reminiscent of colonial brutality.
In its Independence day press statement, CiZC said the post independence Zimbabwe was marked by political elites perfecting the art of colonial brutality leaving citizens with nothing to celebrate for the freedom gained in 1980.
“Events that continue to unfold after independence have proved that the political elites in Zimbabwe have rather perfected the art of colonial brutality, leaving Zimbabweans with little, if anything, to celebrate for Independence,” the statement reads.
The Coalition highlighted historical atrocities, including the Gukurahundi massacres, which claimed the lives of an estimated 20,000 civilians between 1983 and 1987. They accused the ruling party, ZANU PF, of prioritizing political power over truth and national healing, leading to a fractured nation.
“Zimbabwe remains a party-state rather than a nation-state,” the statement continued, pointing to ongoing suppression of opposition voices and violent crackdowns on dissent, notably during the 2008 election run-off and subsequent protests.
Despite promises of a “new dispensation” following the 2017 military coup, the Coalition argued that Zimbabwe has regressed further into authoritarianism. They cited instances of state violence, including the shooting of civilians in 2018 and 2019, as evidence of the government’s disregard for human rights and democratic principles.
The Coalition’s demands for reform were outlined, emphasizing the need for comprehensive electoral, social, economic, and political reforms to restore legitimacy and constitutionalism. They called for inclusive national dialogue, an end to state-sponsored violence, and the decriminalization of civic society work.
“Our Call to Action is that time has come for us to unite and fight for our freedom and future,” the statement concluded. “The people of Zimbabwe will not be silenced or oppressed any longer, and we will not rest until our demands for true freedom and justice are met.”
The press statement from CiZC has sparked widespread discussion and drawn attention to the ongoing challenges facing Zimbabwe as it marks another year of independence. Political analysts anticipate heightened tensions and increased calls for reform in the days to come.
