Zimbabwe’s Parliament Elects Speaker from Opposition MDC

The Zimbabwean parliament convened earlier today and elected as speaker Lovemore Moyo, chairman of the opposition Movement for Democratic Change. The ruling ZANU-PF party didn’t field a candidate but rather backed a candidate from a rival faction of the MDC. It appears that was a move to control parliament that failed, or some have said, backfired.

Nevertheless, the ZANU-PF shenanigans continue. Fifteen of the MDC’s members of parliament didn’t attend the swearing-in ceremony because they are still in hiding after all the violence. Two others were arrested for a while, in contravention of the constitution. Shuwa Mudiwa appeared back in parliament upon being freed but Elia Jembere didn’t turn up. A third MDC MP, Elton Mangoma, managed to avoid arrest.

What is interesting is the result in the speaker’s election. The MDC has 100 MPs, but only 99 were present for the vote. Zanu-PF has 99, Arthur Mutambara's breakaway faction of the MDC has 10 seats, and there is one independent. Yet Mr. Moyo won 110 votes against Paul Themba Nyathi (of the Mutambara faction) got 98. It would appear that someone in the ZANU-PF, with his ballot secret, voted against “President” Robert Mugabe. Moreover, it appears that none of the Mutambara faction voted for its own candidate. Or if they did, then as many as 11 ZANU-PF MPs crossed their boss.

The leader of the MDC, Morgan Tsvangirai, opposes the recall of parliament. He is engaged in South African-mediated talks on power sharing. With parliament back in session, the political equation becomes much more complicated. Indeed, it undermines the talks. And that, of course, may be Mr. Mugabe’s intention.

Mr. Mugabe still controls the Senate, and so he is still with a few legislative abilities. Just before the MPs convened, he appointed 3 non-constituency senators and eight provincial governors. He can appoint an additional 15 senators. Despite this victory, the MDC and Zimbabwe aren’t out of the woods by any stretch of the imagination.

© Copyright 2008 by The Kensington Review, Jeff Myhre, PhD, Editor. No part of this publication may be reproduced without written consent. Produced using Fedora Linux.

Kensington Review Home