The political agreement between Robert Mugabe and the opposition has been welcomed by a Tearfund partner as a step forward in the reconstruction and healing of Zimbabwe.
The Zimbabwe Christian Allliance (ZCA) hopes the deal between the country’s president and main opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai will bring an end to the political and economic crisis.
Under the power-sharing deal, Mr Tsvangirai is to become prime minister but details about cabinet posts are still the subject of wrangling.
Although the ZCA hopes the agreement will create a framework for a new political future, it is calling for an overhaul of `regressive laws and policies in order to alleviate the suffering of Zimbabweans’.
A ZCA spokesman said, `Also critical to the reconstruction agenda is the urgent need for a process of national healing that will provide a platform for truth telling, reconciliation and trauma healing.
`The wounds inflicted by the past 10 years of violence and destruction should be acknowledged as part of the steps towards healing.
`The need for healing at grassroots level is critical if this agreement is to be meaningful to ordinary Zimbabweans.’
To this end, the ZCA is calling for the creation of a `new people-driven constitution’ as a matter of urgency, with the involvement of churches and civil society.
In a statement, the ZCA recognised the key role of the Christian community in Zimbabwe during the political troubles, including sheltering people fleeing violence and providing food aid.
`The Zimbabwe Christian Alliance calls upon the churches to continue to pray for Zimbabwe as it takes the first step towards the new future,’ added the statement.