Zimbabwe should be divided into two states

A lot has been said about Matabeleland being marginalized economically, socially and politically. This has led to some politicians and pressure groups in Matabeleland emotionally advocating for the region to stand as a state on its own, separate from Mashonaland.

I wonder if that would be the best solution for a region which is said to be marginalized, or it is just one of those fantasies that are not realistic.

The leader of the now disintegrated Mthwakazi Liberation Front (MLF) which was formed in 2010, Paul Siwela has been one of the advocators of Matabeleland  being separated. He has been quoted saying that  this development is a crucial solution to guarantee democracy and peace in the country.

According to Siwela, Zimbabwe has to recognise two states which are  Matabeleland and Mashonaland and allow a federal dispensation whereby each state will have all the three arms of the government – the executive, the judiciary and legislature. 

His view of the country being divided, has been supported by the Mthwakazi Republic Party (MRP) which was formed in January  this year. 

During the launch of the party, MRP president Mqondisi Moyo said President Robert Mugabe’s government was not willing to equally serve the people of Matabeleland region.
Moyo had said it was disheartening to note that Zimbabwe’s attaining independence from colonial rule was all in vain because the people of Matabeleland have always been treated as second class citizens in the country.

Moyo said the gruelling history dating back from the Gukurahundi atrocities and a plethora of other forms of grim disregard of rule of law against the people of Mthwakazi had forced them to rise up for their rights.

This means Mthwakazi must secede from Zimbabwe forthwith along known and accepted national boundaries. We want to govern ourselves, manage our own resources and operate our own economy for the benefit of our various peoples
Moyo said part of the grand plan was to see, the boundary between Zimbabwe and Mthwakazi being pegged in Kwekwe in a move that is set to see Matabeleland and Midlands Provinces falling under the latter.
He said they were already setting up a negotiating team that is expected to engage the Government of Zimbabwe over the best peaceful ways to achieve cessation adding that the whole process should take place in within a period of two years.
“We plan to do this through a negotiated settlement with the Government of Zimbabwe, no war, no force of any kind whatsoever, as we do not believe in any of them to achieve our objectives,” Moyo said.

http://www.dailynews.co.zw/articles/2014/01/13/another-secessionist-party-formed-in-byo
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