Welshman Ncube, the president of the splinter Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) party has hinted at a possible coalition of Zimbabwe’s opposition parties ahead of elections.
Addressing party supporters at a rally in Lupane, Ncube said: “There is a greater need today for a strong and united front against Zanu-PF if we are to win the next elections. Let us not underestimate the task ahead of us, especially now that army generals are threatening to overthrow any elected leader who is not Mugabe.”
Military hawks recently revealed that they would not accept any leader other than Mugabe or at least a “preferred candidate” who would guard their interests. Ncube told supporters: “Why should the soldiers choose Mugabe for us? It is not the business of soldiers to be calling press conferences and making political statements and speaking on behalf of Mugabe.”
Earlier this month, Brigadier General Douglas Nyikayaramba said Mugabe must be president for life.
But, in spite of belligerent statements from Zanu-PF that brush aside all other political parties, observers have pointed out that the growing influence of Ncube’s MDC in the country’s political landscape cannot be ignored.
In the first strong sign that the party had gained significant political mileage and could emerge as a tie-breaker in the protracted deadlock in the coalition government, it supported the re-election bid of Lovemore Moyo (linked to Morgan Tsvangirai’s MDC) in April as Speaker of Parliament. Its “coalition” with Tsvangirai’s MDC effectively dashed Zanu-PF’s hopes to control the coveted position of Speaker.
The Speaker could be used as a bulwark to prevent a “flawed constitution” from being passed through, amid growing suspicion that Zanu-PF’s agendas are being pushed through in the drafting of the new Constitution.
Nhlanhla Dube, the spokesperson for the Ncube-led MDC said: “We are prepared to work with all democratic forces in Zimbabwe to ensure the country is delivered from tyranny.”
Mugabe and Tsvangirai have refused to recognise Ncube as a principal in the unity government since he took over the helm of the party from Arthur Mutambara in January.
But Dube said: “We don’t need either Mugabe or Tsvangirai to validate Ncube as a principal in the unity government. What is important is that our party structures and the executive recognise him as the leader.”
Meanwhile, Zapu, led by veteran nationalist Dumiso Dabengwa, has given the thumbs-up to unity with the MDC. Zapu spokesperson Methuseli Moyo stressed the need to form a coalition for the sake of the development of Zimbabwe, saying, “Zapu is ready to unite with any political party, but such a coalition must not have as its underlying purpose the removal of Mugabe from power only. We need also to look at a post-Mugabe era and improve the country.”
Perceived uneven distribution of the country’s economic resources, which have benefited Zanu-PF elites and their supporters, and the marginalisation of the Matabeleland province could also prove to be a rallying point for political parties to unite around.