Sustained economic stability puts CCC in election dilemma
PARTICIPATE or boycott the 2023 harmonised general elections? That is the question the CCC is seized with. That party is at the brink of splitting into two, with the youthful group, which is allegedly closely linked to CCC leader Nelson Chamisa being in favour of the notion of boycott, while the other group that consists of the old guard is pushing to participate in the plebiscite.
This fierce debate is raging within CCC corridors, threatening to rip the opposition party to shreds.
The realisation that Zanu PF is headed for a landslide victory in the 2023 elections seems to have shaken that party’s very core.
Although they try to publicly fight the truth that is staring squarely in their faces, they know that people are declaring their vote for President Mnangagwa and Zanu PF because they have walked the talk, unlike Chamisa and his CCC.
Sustained economic stability prevailing since the first quarter of 2022 has been due to President Mnangagwa’s prudent foreign, political, socio-economic and developmental policies.
The results of these policies appeased the people and they pledged their votes for the President’s second term in office.
It would appear that Zanu PF’s successes have derailed the CCC sympathy-seeking train.
The CCC trump card has been that of inflicting maximum suffering to citizens by destroying their livelihoods to separate them from Zanu PF.
Nelson Chamisa and his gang have constantly used this card to demonise the ruling party and its leadership at regional and international forums.
Now that narrative has been rendered obsolete, hence their push to boycott the 2023 elections to save face.
The pro-boycott faction argues that Zimbabwe is emerging as a worthy Western diplomatic partner, a development which works against CCC’s strategy of seeking regional and international sympathy, hence their push to boycott the elections.
The faction suggests that Chamisa should boycott the elections, as it will give that party an opportunity to save face, form real structures and emerge more powerful in the next election which will be in 2028.
Meanwhile, the European Union (EU) and Zimbabwe are mending relations, with EU Ambassador Jobst von Kirchmann saying “As regards to (our) relationship, we are both agreeing that we have a very lucky moment because of the constructive re-engagement His Excellency President Mnangagwa has promoted, which matches our wish for constructive re-engagement.”
The old and more mature members of the CCC, who are frustrated by Chamisa’s inclination to the younger and more youthful members of that party, are against the boycott.
Of late, Chamisa has been rumoured to be taking advice from the younger members, sidelining and ignoring senior party members.
Meanwhile, the senior members of that party believe they have a lot to lose if they join Chamisa in his immature stance to boycott the 2023 plebiscite.
They are now threatening that if Chamisa insists on following his immature advisers who have nothing to lose, they will have no choice but to run as independent candidates for the 2023 parliamentary seats.
The pro-election members of the CCC seem to think that apart from the boycott pressure, Chamisa is getting cold feet on the eve of the elections because he is fully aware that he has failed to deliver on election promises made in 2018.
His actions have pulled him under the shadow of the late founder and leader of the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC-T), Morgan Richard Tsvangirai, who failed to secure an election victory since the formation of his party in 2000.
Chamisa is being haunted by the ghost of Tsvangirai whose failure to secure an election victory saw some of his founding members such as Tendai Biti, Job Sikhala, Welshman Ncube and Arthur Mutambara losing confidence in his leadership and formed their own parties.
The same is happening in CCC as the mature members of that party seem to be losing confidence in Chamisa and his abilities.
There is rampant talk in CCC that Chamisa should step down if he fails to deliver in the 2023 elections and a new leader be appointed in his place.
Possible names to replace Chamisa have been thrown in the basket, which among others include Tendai Biti, Job Sikhala, Amos Chibaya, Lynet Karenyi-Kore and Fadzai Mahere.
Karenyi-Kore and Mahere hope to benefit
on the gender ticket.
Biti fancies his chances on the basis that he thinks he has powerful regional and international connections.
Since that party constantly relies on international sympathy and donations, Biti’s name was thrown in because he has connections with people such as the Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema and former Nigerian president Olusagun Obasanjo.
He is also linked with the United States chairman of foreign relations sub-committee on Africa, Senator Jeff Flake, the person behind the Zimbabwe Democracy and Economic Recovery Act (ZIDERA) as well as cordial appears to have relations with Catherine Letitia Hoey who is a member of the House of Lords in the United Kingdom.
Biti is also connected to the Brenthurst Foundation, which has strong links with the Oppenheimer family who are worth billions of US dollars.
While Biti appears to have international connections, it was noted that he was not in touch with the grassroots and his appointment might rattle the boat and further split that party.
Alternatively, Amos Chibaya could be considered due to his position as the organising secretary for CCC and Member of Parliament for Mkoba constituency.
It is believed that his work gives him unlimited access to the CCC members and that he commands a lot of influence making his take-over smooth and without chaos.
Relatedly, Sikhala’s name was also thrown into the hat, as some people feel that he is a risk taker who does not fear incarceration like Chamisa.
The old guard in CCC further believes that Sikhala could be the ingredient they need to activate the new party they are brooding on.
There are also possible contenders whose names have been thrown in the basket on the gender card, and these are interim co-vice president of the CCC Karenyi-Kore and spokesperson Fadzai Mahere. However, the patriarchal position of that party boggled down those possibilities.
Meanwhile, Zanu PF members are ready to go for elections, and are happy that the economy has stabilised, their foreign policy of engagement and re-engagement is bearing fruit.
Zanu PF is also still receiving new members from CCC and G40 who have decided to re-join the revolutionary party.
The Western diplomats in the country are of the opinion that Nelson Chamisa should participate in the elections since the playing field is conducive.
Whether Chamisa and CCC participate in the elections or not, is neither here nor there.