Important to note is that an agreement was reached by the parties on the need to strengthen the Joint Monitoring and Implementation Commission (Jomic).
The multi-party body, set up to monitor the full implementation of the provisions of the GPA, was in theory the panacea to problems that would arise in the life of the inclusive government that brought strange fellows to one bed.
However, in practice the 12-member body with neither legal basis nor the muscle to force parties to the GPA to comply with the agreement was nothing more than a paper tiger.
For example, it could not force President Mugabe to swear-in Roy Bennett as Deputy Minister of Agriculture. It could not stop marauding Zanu PF youths from beating up suspected MDC supporters in Mbare. The carnage on the farms continued under the body’s watch.
In short, Jomic was reduced to a mere spectator as the political environment, characterised by violence, political arrests and general insecurity continued to deteriorate.
Its apparent weaknesses were clear for all Zimbabweans to see and happened at a time when contentious issues threatening the GPA needed to be resolved.
It is against this background that the realisation by negotiators that Jomic needs to be revamped should be welcomed.
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This may be the beginning of meaningful dialogue by the parties that can correct the ills that continue to incessantly plague the country after the signing of the GPA.
An empowered Jomic could start to effectively monitor the implementation of the agreement and to promote an atmosphere of mutual trust and understanding between the parties.
Negotiators however need to do more. They also need to amend restrictive electoral laws and ensure that the broadcasting space is freed. The security forces’ involvement in Zimbabwe’s elections should also be made a thing of the past.
