MDC confirms coalition talks

Politics
THE MDC led by Welshman Ncube says the process of forming a coalition by various opposition parties in Zimbabwe ahead of the 2018 elections is at an advanced stage.

THE MDC led by Welshman Ncube says the process of forming a coalition by various opposition parties in Zimbabwe ahead of the 2018 elections is at an advanced stage.

STAFF REPORTER

The provincial chairpersons for the main wing, women’s and youth assemblies gathered at the party offices in Harare with the management committee where members were updated about the coalition talks.

The move is believed to be the only way of empowering opposition political parties to defeat President Robert Mugabe, who has already been endorsed by his party’s women and youth leagues as their preferred presidential candidate in the 2018 elections.

MDC national spokesperson Nhlanhla Dube yesterday said members of his party were informed that talks with other like-minded opposition parties were in progress.

Dube said MDC leadership comprising Ncube and other members of the management committee received updates on the state of the party throughout the 12 provinces.

“The leadership used this opportunity to brief the provincial structures on progress made in recent political developments, which include various conversations the party is engaged in with other like-minded political parties for the purpose of forming a united democratic front,” said Dube.

“It was noted that the party remained committed and open to a collective and united effort with all like-minded, true and committed democrats in shaping a new democratically progressive narrative in our nation.”

He said it was further noted that this remained the most pragmatic way to redirect Zimbabwe and route all people’s energies towards restoration and reconstruction of the country.

The MDC’s coalition pronouncements follow similar remarks by the MDC-Renewal team that recently declared it was not possible for an individual political party to dislodge Mugabe and Zanu PF alone and called on all the country’s democratic forces to put their heads together.

Speaking at the launch of the renewal team’s agenda about a fortnight ago in Bulawayo at the Large City Hall, the renewal team’s interim chairman Samuel Sipepa Nkomo told supporters that his party could not win the struggle against Zanu PF alone and called for the joining of hands of all democratic forces.

Other parties touted for the grand coalition include Zapu and Mavambo/Kusile/Dawn led by former Finance minister Simba Makoni.