Own Correspondent|Leader of the opposition MDC, Nelson Chamisa spoke with what sounded like a changed heart after meeting former South African president Thabo Mbeki yesterday to suddenly announce that the standoff existing between his party and the ruling ZANU PF over the 2018 elections which the MDC says were rigged, needs to come to an end.
Emmerson Mnangagwa’s spokesman George Charamba has already revealed that Mbeki’a sole job is that of campaigning for sanctions against Mnangagwa blamed on the MDC for imposing them, to be removed.
Charamba wrote, ” Correct! The former President of South Africa offered his stature and access globally to help push Zimbabwe’s agenda to have sanctions removed and to ensure reconnection with the rest of the willing world.”
For over a year, Chamisa has been putting forward the term “legitimacy” before passing any comment on dialogue with his nemesis Emmerson Mnangagwa. He has also insisted on the fact that he is the true winner of the 2018 polls. But on Tuesday there was no mention whatsoever of his demands, sticking onto milds such as peace and happiness.
Nelson Chamisa posted on Twitter after meeting with Thabo Mbeki. Chamisa posted saying:
We want dialogue that is meaningful, where the political will to change for the benefit of Zimbabweans outweighs political expediency. Dialogue must deliver true change & real reforms. When we shake hands let us be agreeing to truly walk in the same direction,a new direction.
Democracy can’t exist without a true commitment to happiness, freedom & peace. Our political impasse cannot continue. We stand firm on the principle that none but ourselves can bring about the true change we need. Real issues affecting us all must be at the heart of any dialogue.
Mbeki who mediated the talks between ZANU PF and the two MDC formations which led to the formation of the Government of National Unity is in Zimbabwe where he yesterday met President Emmerson Mnangagwa and Chamisa. He is today expected to meet the POLAD group.
He is understood to be in the country to have a full appreciation of the crisis and to pay his condolences to Mugabe family following the passing on of former President Mugabe.
Chamisa’s spokesperson Dr Nkululeko Sibanda said the meeting between the two politicians has set a pace for a working relationship.
“Yesterday President Chamisa met with President Thabo Mbeki. The meeting considered a number of contemporary issues and also helped establish a working relationship between the two leaders,” said Sibanda.
Political analyst Pedzisayi Ruhanya warned the MDC of falling for a GNU
Ruhanya said, “Once beaten, twice shy. The MDC led by should apply its wits in rational, logical, robust, rigorous ways taking into account how it was duped in the GNU President Mbeki brokered that led to MDC crashing defeat in 2013. Never be excitable. Calm down, cool heads
“My view is that it’s both the internal (ZANU PF contradictions with security instability) and external Zimbabwe question of the corruption and decomposition of the political that brings President Mbeki to Zimbabwe. The opposition MDC must therefore treat these overtures carefully!”