Sunday, June 10, 2012

THE HARARE DECLARATION

A.  INTRODUCTION

    1.            The Meeting of the Secretaries General of Political Parties of Former Liberation Movements of Southern Africa, namely, ANC, CCM, FRELIMO, MPLA, SWAPO, ZANU-PF met in Harare, Zimbabwe on 8 June 2012.

    2.            The delegations of  ANC, CCM , FRELIMO, MPLA and ZANU-PF were led by their respective Secretaries General, Comrades, Gwede Mantashe, Wilson Mukama, Filipe Paunde, Julião Mateus Paulo ‘Dino Matrosse’ and Didymus Mutasa. The SWAPO Party was represented by its the Deputy Secretary General, Cde Nangolo Mbumba.

    3.            The meeting was preceded by the meetings of the Veterans/Elders, Women’s and Youth Leagues of the Political Parties of Political Parties of Former Liberation Movements of Southern Africa which were held on 7 June 2012.

    4.            The meeting was officially opened by His Excellency, The President and First Secretary of ZANU PF, Cde R. G. Mugabe.

    5.            The vote of thanks was given by the Secretary General of Chama Cha Mapinduzi, Cde  Wilson Mukama .

    6.            The meeting adopted the following Agenda:
                                 i.            The Joint Party School.
                              ii.            Country Situational Reports.
                           iii.            Strategies for Interparty Co-operation During Elections.
                           iv.            Noting of the Resolutions of the Meetings of the Veterans/Elders, Women and Youth Leagues.
                              v.            The 2012/ 2013 Programmes and Schedule of Meetings.

    7.            The meeting congratulated the ANC on its Centenary Celebrations and the 52nd Anniversary of SWAPO Party. The meeting further congratulated FRELIMO on the upcoming 50th Anniversary Celebrations of that Party, as well as 37th Anniversary of Independence of Mozambique on 25 June 2012.

    8.            The meeting also congratulated the MPLA and its government for the 10th Anniversary of peace and development in Angola. The strides made in reconstruction and development initiatives aimed at improving the living conditions of the Angolans were commended. The adoption of the new constitution in Angola in 2010, under which the August 31st 2012 elections will be held, was applauded as a milestone in the quest for democratic practices in Africa and the region.

B.  THE JOINT PARTY SCHOOL
    9.            The Secretaries General of Political Parties of Former Liberation Movements accepted to have the Joint Party School at Ihemi Iringa. However, CCM was requested to devise adetailed architectural features.

C.  COUNTRY SITUATIONAL REPORTS

10.            The current political, economic and social situation in the respective countries and the importance of regional integration, cooperation and development in each country was emphasized.

11.            Political Parties of Former Liberation Movements  welcomed the proposal to increase inter party exchanges amongst each other in the areas of mobilization, party building,  campaign approaches, human resource development and information dissemination

12.            It was agreed that better communication between Political Parties Former Liberation Movements should be devised to prevent undue suspicion from developing between the parties.

13.            Calls were made for Political Parties of Former Liberation Movements to remain vigilant and defend the hard won independence.

14.            Political Parties of Former Liberation Movements were urged develop relevant policies and programme on eradication of poverty in the individual countries.

15.            Political Parties of Political Parties of Former Liberation Movements should monitor the increasing trend and machinations towards the balkanization of Africa and develop strategies to prevent this.

16.            Parliamentarians of Political Parties of Former Liberation Movements should increase exchanges to share information and experiences.

17.            The meetings called for the unconditional removal of the illegal sanctions imposed on Zimbabwe and called for the release of the Cuban Five.
18.            The developments on the continent of democratically elected governments being overthrown through coups, such as in Guinea Bissau and Mali, must be strongly condemned and seen as retrogressive in Africa’s quest to democratize, achieve peace, unity and development.  

19.            Political Parties of Former Liberation Movements congratulated FRELIMO for the establishment of The University of Nachingweia and recognized its contribution to the Liberation Heritage Projects.

D.  STRATEGIES FOR CO- OPERATION DURING ELECTIONS

20.            Political Parties of Former Liberation Movements should on a continual basis share election strategies and experiences to assist in closing the gaps of weakness that may exist in a political parties campaign.

E.   NOTING OF THE RESOLUTIONS  OF THE WINGS OF POLITICAL PARTIES OF FORMER LIBERATION MOVEMENTS

21.            The meeting took note of the resolutions of the Youth, Women’s and Veterans/Elders Leagues of Political Parties of Former Liberation Movements.

F.   2012/2013 PROGRAMMES AND SCHEDULE OF MEETINGS.

22.            The meeting noted the following programmes and events for 2012/2013:
                   i.            The 50th Anniversary of the founding FRELIMO will be held on 25th June 2012 and its 10th Congress from 23- 28 September 2012.
                ii.            ANC will be holding its National Policy Conference, 26-29 June 2012 and the National Elective Conference 16- 20 December 2012.  As part of its centenary celebratory events, the ANC is hosting an International Solidarity Conference 25- 28 October 2012.
             iii.            MPLA will be contesting the Angolan General Elections on 31 August 2012.
             iv.            SWAPO Party will be holding National Policy Conference in August/ September 2012 and the Congress in November/December 2012.
                v.            CCM will be holding its Congress in November 2012.
             vi.            ZANU PF will be holding its 13th National People’s Conference in December 2012.
          vii.            The Socialist International Congress will be held from 30 August to the 1st September 2012 in Cape Town, South Africa.

23.            The next meeting of Political Parties of ormer Liberations will be held in South Africa in January 2013

24.            Concluding the meeting, participants thanked ZANU PF for the hospitality, excellent organization and fruitful discussions.

Harare, 8th June 2012

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