President Mnangagwa Says The 1987 Unity Accord Should Never Be Breached
President Emmerson Mnangagwa has said the 1987 Unity Accord is a key pillar of national peace and stability, and should never be challenged, breached or compromised.
The Unity Accord was signed by the late former President Robert Mugabe and late former Vice-President Joshua Nkomo at the height of the Gukurahundi massacres that claimed an estimated 20 000 people in Matabeleland and Midlands provinces between 1982 and 1987.
In his weekly column in a State-owned weekly publication, The Sunday Mail, Mnangagwa said the Heroes Day commemorations, held today the 8th of August, followed by the Defence Forces Day set for Tuesday revived bitter memories of the liberation struggle.
He said while there were political disturbances in the early years of the country’s independence, peace prevailed after the Unity Accord was signed by Mugabe and Nkomo, bringing together political parties that fought colonialism, Zanu PF and PF Zapu. He said:
Sacred Unity Accord
HOT DEALS:
itel A70 - (128GB, 3GB RAM) $89,
itel A70 - (256GB, 4GB RAM) $99
itel P40 (128GB, 4GB), (6000mAh) $99
itel P40 (64GB, 4G), (6000mAh) $93
Cash on Delivery in Harare & Bulawayo. Tinotumira kwamuri inosvika.WhatsApp: 0783 450 793
True, they were fratricidal disturbances in the early years of our Independence, but reason prevailed in the end, as our leaders met, talked and embraced, to give us a legacy of peace and stability we enjoy to this day, and which we have a duty to bequeath to posterity. The Unity Accord which our leaders struck is a key pillar of National Peace and Stability. It should never be challenged, breached or compromised by whomsoever.
The Unity Accord led to the ending of the unrest and an amnesty followed in 1988 under which every member or former member of the security forces was granted a free pardon in respect of any offence committed during the so-called “anti-dissident” operations.
Some of the victims, however, have been demanding to be compensated for the loss of their loved ones. Some want the perpetrators to account for their actions.
