Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe, Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai and Deputy Prime Minister Arthur Mutambara, principals in the country's unity government as signatories of the 2008 Global Political Agreement, launched a long-delayed outreach phase of constitutional revision Wednesday calling for tolerance and nonviolence.
VOA Studio 7 correspondent Irwin Chifera reported from Harare on the high-level outreach sendoff.
But some observers were cautious on the chances for a peaceful and smooth-running public comment phase, given persistent if scattered reports of intimidation and violence, and ongoing disputes over compensation for officials involved. The outreach phase has been put off several times and the overall revision schedule is months behind.
Human rights lawyer Alec Muchadhama told VOA Studio 7 reporter that given the many problems in the process and persistent reports of intimidation, the outreach exercise is not likely to reflect the views of all.
Meanwhile, South African singer and United Nations Children’s Fund Ambassador Yvonne Chaka Chaka joined the country's leaders in marking the Day of the African Child, calling for Zimbabew's unity government partners to work together to build a society that is fit for children. Correspondent Sylvia Manika reported from Harare.
