“PILLARS OF A STRONG ALLIANCE: THE CASE OF GAMBIAN COALITION OF 2016~ ZIMBABWE TOWARDS 2018“

By Nyahunda Struggle Desire

African politics has become so entrenched and clueless due to various factors dictating pace in the political conundrum. Long distance running and the sit tight syndrome among other things has affected and destabilized the smooth flow of political processes. Politics as a complicated art and a science discipline with complex theories surrounding it has caused hypertension, terminal diseases, heart attacks due to a myriad of reasons. Chief amongst them is failure to understand when to call it quits. All this must be blamed on the political culture that has invaded the terrain where bootlicking and praise singing is the only game in town.

Proximity to leaders is only created through nepotistic tendencies, loyalty and we were together in the trenches culture rather than performance based. Put simply, dictatorship is reigning supreme and is created by the people around leadership knowingly or unknowingly. Its a bad omen and dictatorship created by a people is not only difficult to dethrone because people might remove an individual but the dictatorship is centred on the system rather than an individual.

When the above happens, there is only one way to overhaul the system with its roots and branches which is an ALLIANCE OF LIKE MINDED ORGANISATIONS, POLITICAL INSTITUTIONS, CIVIC SOCIETIES, STUDENTS ORGANISATIONS with one ultimate goal and agenda to emancipate the people. Genuine organisations which share the same ideology and vision can not fail to shelf or put aside their differences for the cause of generality. This article will focus on the PILLARS THAT ANCHORED GAMBIAN ALLIANCE led Adama Barrow which deposed the then president Yahya Jameh in the run up to 2016 presidential election. It will further look into the nature of ALLIANCES in Zimbabwe, the weaknesses, causes of stalemate, and likely scenario in the run up to 2018 watershed elections.
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*Gambian Coalition*
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The coalition of Gambia was made up of 8 political parties namely Gambian Party for Democracy and Progres(GPDP) led by Henry Gomez, National Reconciliation Party (NRP) led by Hamat Bah, United Democratic Party (UDP) led by Adama Barrow, People’s Progressive Party(PPP), National Convention Party(NCP), Gambian Moral Congress(GMC), People’s Democratic Organisation for Independence and Socialism (PDOIS) Independent candidate and activist for anti-female genital mutilation Dr Isatou Touray. The reason why the coalition idea was proposed was due to various reasons the major one being division of votes and the confusion posed by multi partism to grassroot supporters. Divisions in opposition cause voter apathy whereby the people expect an obvious outcome and decide not to go to polling stations on the voting day or divorce themselves from associating with any of the political parties for the African proverb goes “when the elephants fight, grass suffers most”. To save face, many people opt to boycott any of the political activities and voting as well.

This was the scenario that kept Yahya Jameh in power for years. It took decades for political parties which were fighting in their corners to defeat the ruling party only until prominent individuals emerged and facilitated a dialogue amongst all parties despite their support base, history, or achievements in order to bring all people together. Fatoumata Tambajang led the negotiation process until Adama Barrow was unanimously elected to be the sole opposition presidential candidate. In this process, each political party was consulting its members to update them of the political developments going on. Political party leaders at several instances risked their positions in their respective parties because of some crucial decisions they made on behalf of the people. Risking means letting go of their constituencies and some areas of concern only to help in the emancipation of the people. Hiacynth agrees that good leaders takes risks, those who fear to risk will always run away from shadows of possibilities and would likely be devoured by history for having failed to steer the organisation. On this note, Gambian opposition political parties triumphed without taking away anything from them.

*MAJOR PILLARS OF THEIR SUCCESS*
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1. Independent facilitator

The coalition talks was led by an independent facilitator and the process was not at all compromised. The facilitator was representing a constituency of Gambian voice of the people who were the suffering masses with everything to gain if political stability was to be achieved. The facilitator managed the political temperatures since almost about three or four leaders were ready to lead the Coalition

2. Resources

The opposition parties knew that their major blow was resource curse and the campaign was demanding a well oiled machinery and coordinated structures to match Yahya Jameh neck to neck. A race against a man who was abusing state resources versus the opposition dipping down from their poor pockets! That’s when amongst the contenders, one of the candidates pledged his preparedness to bankroll the election campaigns. This was an open and fair process which worked very well.

3. Inclusivity

The Gambian alliance was anchored on inclusiveness and oneness. All the political parties had reached a point where they realised that Jameh administration was so entrenched and no one party would defeat him. This was probably because the electoral commission played cards well in the event where several contenders participate. Political parties like NRC had contested before and got few seats in 2006, in 2011 the few seats they had were further lost. UDP faced the same scenario. A clamour for democracy must not take two decades to be achieved because the opposition parties would expose their weaknesses before being elected. Several splits were witnessed from 1999 and some political parties like GPDP were bared from contesting 2006 elections. Some iconic figures would be lost in the middle or critical point of the struggle. Hence, the players were all desperate for change and they include every stakeholder , all partners were treated equally without backbiting or bullying. Big brother mentality was set aside and this coalition was unshakable. Jameh tried to bribe some partners but it all failed.

4. WIN-WIN NEGOTIATION CLAUSE

Major obstacles to many negotiations and pacts is embroiled on the clauses guiding the settlement. Some partners usually negotiate with swords in their hands like Tsar Alexander 2nd at the Vienna Settlement in 1815. He ended up claiming more than his fair share by demanding Grand Duchy of Warsaw, Polish Corridor, demanding the “sick man” of Europe, Finland and interference in German Confederation. Secret pacts within the Coalition emerged due to bullying and undermining smaller powers. However, Hon Fatoumata Tambajang as the mediator was able to lay a platform of inclusivity. All partners were fairly treated, coalition agreement had no loopholes or controversial clauses, several factors were considered on the negotiation table putting in mind the fact that opposition had failed to remove Jameh in their smaller corners hence it was not at all about what other partners were bringing the unanimity clause was very important for it would boost morale and confidence of general members.

The partners were not going to their members to backbite other partners or inculcate divisions amongst members. They adopted a uniform symbol and colour to avoid one partner claiming to own Coalition members. Hence the play field was level in opposition. Opposition can not cry for level playing field when they can not level their own playing field where hook and crook, chicanery and expediency reigns

5. ARTICULATE AND CLEAR ROADMAP

The Gambian political parties united and made a clear roadmap to dislodge Jameh. The fact that the pact was led by a neutral person meant that there was a fair compromise. The parties agreed on symbols to be used during the elections, all parties declared their support base, spoils were agreed upon, code of conduct was crafted, modus operandi was clearly spelt out, the candidate who was elected contested as an independent candidate to allow unanimity to exist amongst general membership. Jameh was trounced

6. RESIGNATION OF ADAMA BARROW FROM POST OF TREASURER GENERAL

Prior to this general elections, Adama Barrow was a member of United Democratic Party (UDP) and he was the Treasurer General. When he was elected to lead the coalition, he resigned first from UDP and assumed the presidential candidate. His vision was to allow spirit of oneness and a united front against the incumbent. The major threat in many coalitions are praise singers and bootlickers. Many party members mislead their counterparts and demand more than what they deserve. Adama Barrow decided not to be owned by any of his political party members. His campaign terrain attracted thousands and there was no conspiracy against either partner. This ensured triumph of an idea whose time was nigh.

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*OF ZIMBABWEAN COALITIONS*
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There are several coalitions in Zimbabwe political conundrum which had been forged ahead of 2018 elections. COALITION OF DEMOCRATS (CODE), PEOPLE’S RAINBOW COALITION (PRC) and MOVEMENT FOR DEMOCRATIC CHANGE ALLIANCE (MDC ALLIANCE) to mention just but a few.

I will however focus on the two major Alliances due to time factor and these are PRC which includes ZUNDE, DARE, PDP led by Madam Matibenga, NPP led by Dr Mujuru Joice and the MDC ALLIANCE with seven political parties which are TZ led J Ngaruvhume, MCD led by Guchutu, PDP led by Biti T, MDC led by Prof Ncube, ZANU NDONGA led by Sakunje, ZimPF led Rtd Brig Mutambara A, and MDCT led by Hon Chamisa N who is also the leader of the alliance.

There are several circumstances surrounding the formation of these coalitions and also why the parties are failing to reach an agreement. Some of the reasons are justified and some are baseless.

The opposition political parties reached a turning point whereby they realised that what divides the people is minor than what unites them.

The lesson of 2008 and 2013 election results was good enough to teach the people that history is the greatest enemy of the people especially if it repeats itself. Claims are that ZEC tampered with election results in 2008 and gave Makoni the votes which were garnered by Dr Morgan Tsvangirai of the MDCT. However, academics blame this electoral loss to splits and divisions in the opposition camp. Mdc rallied behind Makoni Simba, and MdcT rallied behind Morgan Tsvangirai. Zanu Pf walked home smiling when they were offered the life line due to divisions. As if that was not enough, MdcT and Mdc N failed to get a single seat in Mat South and lost several seats in Mat North. Analysts posited that if MdcT and MDC N were united in 2013, Zanu Pf would have lost all the seats in Mat South and Mat North. Several swing constituencies loomed in many areas across the country. Masvingo Urban ceded the seat to Dr Shumba of Zanu Pf for the first time since 2000 due to vote splits. If votes which the Ncube led MDC got plus votes garnered by MDCT, the seat would have been won by opposition. All this means that nommatter how smaller a party is, every vote counts.

The explanation above forced all political parties to seat down and map the way forward on how the people would ensure an outright win from council up to national level. Zimbabweans from all political divides welcomed the idea with both hands but conspiracy amongst political leaders who are vying for offices ultimately stands on the way of a successful and broader alliance.

*PRC DEMANDS*
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1. A neutral name where all political parties are accommodated without hurdles

2. All constituencies must be open to challenge by all Alliance partners and the party with better support in the constituency must be allowed to contest without considering history.

3. The symbol of the Alliance must be neutral to accommodate all partners

4. The President with popular appeal to electorate must be allowed to lead the coalition

5. Coalition symbols and colours must not resemble any symbol or colour of either party

6. Fair distribution of proportional representation of seats amongst partners accordingly.

7. Each partner must be allowed to chair or lead coalition business as maybe agreed by all partners to avoid a scenario where one party lead all provinces

Because of the above reasons Dr Mujuru refused to join or to be part of the MDC ALLIANCE for she feared that her party will be swallowed. Although the signs are showing that she is ready to to work with Hon Chamisa, the above demands by her party is making it difficult for her to sacrifice the party ideology at the Altar of Political Euphemism.

However, the Alliance partners agreed that the Mdc name withholding all other things constant is a popular name in the opposition circles. Given the time left to the elections, it seems impossible for MdcT and partners to do away with the name. Other demands like party symbol , colours, opening all constituencies to primary elections from a political standpoint seems genuine. From the negotiations, it seemed all sitting Mps and Councillors were not supposed to be removed but alas, the recent primaries saw the same sitting Mps facing all the resistance

If Welshman Ncube was able to deny MdcT outright victory in 2008 and 2013 which was largely regional in set up, more should be expected in 2018. PRC is not a force to ignore at all. It has structures across the country and to the analysts who were following the figures of their primary elections, emissaries must have been send to find a common ground with Mdc Alliance. This is not however taking away the strength of the major Alliance, Mdc but if these coalitions were formed to fight vote splitting, then a common ground should be found between contenders to map a way forward.

*DISASTER LOOMING IN MDC ALLIANCE*
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Conflict is an inevitable element of a society and many sociologists agree that it is a normative. However, conflicts if not managed and resolved well may result in impasse and instability.

Several factors are likely to stand on the Coalition road before nomination day and if the Alliance Principals are not careful enough to manage the differences, then it will be Adios in two or less weeks.

*WHAT ARE THE OBSTACLES FACING THE MDC ALLIANCE?*
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1. BACKBITING

Partners are not open to each other and there is backbiting. Other partners are incultating a spirit of resistance in their members as a leeway to defy the *COMPOSITE POLITICAL AGREEMENT* (CPA)

2. Breach of CPA

The partners are not at all respecting the composite political agreement which is a document signed by all political parties. Conduction of primary elections in constituencies allocated to other partners without communication to the other partners reveals that the damage has been done.

3. Bullying other partners

Big brother mentality is affecting the Mdc Alliance business. Instead of giving due respect to the other parties which agreed to partner Mdct in this struggle, MdcT being the biggest party and given the Presidency should have worked together with others. Other parties refused to be part of this arrangement and instead of hailing those doing the donkey work, the price is paid through bullying

4. PRINCIPALS FORUM

From the way the alliance bussiness is going on, it seems there is only a clique overseeing Alliance business and other partners are not consulted. This has led to conspiracy

5. INSTABILITY WITHIN ALL THE POLITICAL PARTIES

Most grassroot members are no longer for this coalition arrangement because to them its unworkable. The Alliance partners leading provinces are not involving other partners in the planning of all provincial business. Some rallies are only notified at the 11th hour. Maybe this was done not to give other partners chance to mobilise their members to these rallies giving an image that other partners does not have supporters. Some leaders are disrespecting the party leaders because they claim they are not product of the Congress hence must not make binding decisions.

6. ABSENCE OF JOINT STEERING COMMITTEES

All successful alliances must have joint or co leaders at each provincial level. Alliance business can not be organized by a single partner except if there is abuse of the term “Alliance”

7. ABSENCE OF CODE OF CONDUCT

It seems the alliance does not have a code of conduct which binds party leaders. Some provincial leaders incite grassroots to protest against seats allocation or undressing other partners and nothing is done. At one of the rallies, one of the provincial leaders declared that a certain allocated seat will not be handed over to anyone except his party. Such level of disrespect shows the hand of an invisible force working tirelessly to destroy the alliance.

Due to time factor and space, i will leave these few factors and jump to another item.

*LIKELY EVENTS TO UNFOLD IN FEW WEEKS*
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1. Some partners will walk out of the alliance

2. Secret talks between PRC and other partners in Mdc Alliance taking place and about 3 to 5 parties likely to join PRC led by Dr Mujuru if the differences are not addressed

3. Infighting as the bigger party is demanding all the wards across the country in breach of CPA *(COMPOSITE POLITICAL AGREEMENT)*

4. No clear communication on Proportional Represantation seats (Provincial Council, Senate, Women Quota) and this will lead to ultimate impasse

5. Emergency of several independent candidates due to frustration with internal party processes

6. Increase in Voter Apathy as majority of members had sacrificed their lives in hope of a grand alliance and in the absence of grand alliance, general members will see it as a waste of votes

7. Double candidates on the nomination day under the Mdc Alliance banner if the agreement is not respected or revisited.

8. Confusion amongst members as the circus is likely to happen towards nomination day.

9. History will judge the Alliance Partners for their arrogance and failure to put aside their differences for the benefit of citizenry after selling votes to the enemy.

“`………to be continued…………“`

*(NYAHUNDA STRUGGLE DESIRE IS A SOCIAL AND POLITICAL COMMENTATOR, SPECIALISED IN THE FIELD OF PEACE, CONFLICT & GOVERNANCE, STUDENT RELATED MATTERS. CAN BE CONTACTED ON 0777 357 815/ 0715 742 966/0738 173 303(app). Feedback on [email protected])*