President Emmerson Mnangagwa has been urged to seriously consider forming a Government of National Unity (GNU) with his political rivals as demanded by Zimbabwean citizens.
In an editorial, the Daily News said political polarisation in Zimbabwe can only end if there is a genuine, transparent and all-inclusive dialogue, which will result in the formation of a GNU.
The GNU should have a specific mandate, that is, to establish strong institutions and entrench democracy in the country. It read in part:
President Emmerson Mnangagwa should take heed of the people’s pleadings and seriously pursue the need for a GNU. The sooner the better for the country!
We said it and we will continue to do so, the country needs unity of purpose, shared vision and values to extricate the country from the doldrums.
This comes following reports of low-level talks between the MDC-T led by Thokozani Khupe and the ruling ZANU PF for the formation of a GNU.
Zimbabwe had a GNU between 2009 and 2013 when the leaders of ZANU PF, MDC-T and MDC-N, Robert Mugabe, Morgan Tsvangirai and Arthur Mutambara respectively, came together under then South African President Thambo’s mediation.
This resulted in a period of relative political stability and economic progress.