Tsvangirai, Biti in tricky talks

By Fungi Kwaramba

HARARE – MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai is engaged in tricky discussions with People’s Democratic Party (PDP) leader Tendai Biti as they seek to find common ground and lay the foundation for the formation of a coalition to confront Zanu PF at the forthcoming polls.

Tsvangirai, who suffered a humiliating loss to President Robert Mugabe at the 2013 polls, is desperate to win over other opposition leaders on his side to enhance his chances of giving the ageing Zanu PF leader a good run for his money.

He has given himself up to July 31 to consummate the coalition.

But with the clock ticking towards the deadline, Tsvangirai is frantically trying to close ranks with his erstwhile opposition leaders, including Biti.

He has since met his former secretary-general to discuss the possibility of joining forces ahead of the 2018 polls and have since assigned their respective negotiators to draft a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that would be signed in due course.

The meeting, held before Tsvangirai’s trip to South Africa for his routine medical check-up on Sunday, was separate from their usual engagements under the auspices of the National Electoral Reform Agenda (Nera) — formed in 2015 to nudge Mugabe into levelling the electoral playing field, currently skewed in favour of his governing party.

As parties to Nera, Biti and Tsvangirai meet once almost every week.

Tsvangirai chairs Nera’s diplomatic committee, while Biti heads its legal committee.

The spokesperson for the MDC leader, Luke Tamborinyoka, declined to comment yesterday, saying he could only do so at the right time.

He said: “I cannot comment on such issues in the media because we will not negotiate through the media. When the time comes we will inform you”.

MDC spokesperson Obert Gutu was, however, more forthcoming.

“Yes, I am aware of those engagements that are taking place now,” said Gutu.

Already, Tsvangirai has signed three MoUs with National People’s Party leader, Joice Mujuru; the smaller MDC formation led by Welshman Ncube and with Transform Zimbabwe, led by Jacob Ngarivhume.

Despite signing the MoUs, the signatories have struggled to go beyond symbolism since an MoU is not an agreement, but indicative of a process that is to come.

The coalition talks have been going on endlessly, without any results, amid indications that the negotiators are finding it difficult to narrow their differences.

Concern has previously been raised over Tsvangirai’s perceived big brother attitude, as well as his tendency to enter into agreements without consulting the other partners.

In 2005, Ncube was part of a group that split from Tsvangirai, citing his autocratic tendencies.

And in 2014, Biti also broke ranks with the MDC leader, saying Tsvangirai was not as democratic as he purports to be.

Even as they attempt to mend the rift, many still believe Tsvangirai’s attitude towards Biti and others might scupper the negotiations.

“Although we are arguably the largest and most popular political party in Zimbabwe, we don’t look at ourselves as a big brother. Our common enemy is the faction-infested and crumbling Zanu PF regime,” said Gutu.

PDP spokesperson Jacob Mafume confirmed to the Daily News that talks between the former allies have been on-going.

“Yes, we are engaged in talks with the MDC on two fronts. First, we have formal engagements at the Nera and also behind the scenes we are having bilateral engagements with the MDC towards coming with an MoU with them. The talks have not yet been completed but we hope to seal a deal soon,” said Mafume.

“We are not worried about who should lead the coalition. If you want to have a bus you don’t first employ a driver no; our point is that let us form a coalition and from there, everyone is allowed to jostle for a position . . . As the opposition, we are creating a platform for forming a grand coalition. The principals are aware of this and they have given the people the green-light to engage, a coalition is not optional, it is a must,” he added.

Talks between Biti and Tsvangirai comes as opposition parties have been stuttering principally on who should lead the proposed grand coalition that analysts say has the potential to defeat the ruling party, Zanu PF, come next year.

Political experts said there is need for opposition parties to humble themselves and put aside personal differences, cautioning that MoUs alone were not enough.

Eldred Masunungure, a political scientist, is doubtful if the coalition would ever materialise.

He said: “I am sceptical on the basis that the coalition talks have been going on endlessly without any results. Many are questioning whether the big tent will take off and whether it is going to fly and if it flies how high. It’s a process-driven initiative. I doubt that those two leaders (Biti and Tsvangirai) will bury their differences and those may rear their ugly heads again. Symbolically, it is a good development, but we should go for pragmatic agreements,” said Masunungure.

A former advisor to Tsvangirai when he was prime minister during the government of national unity era, Alex Magaisa, opined that time is now running out for the opposition parties, adding that it was critical to bring together parallel initiatives such as Nera and the Coalition for Democrats (Code).

“The coalition is fundamental if the opposition wants to raise its chances of success. But the different parties have to find and exercise humility. Arrogance fuelled by huge egos will scupper any chances of a coalition. By now, Code and Nera should be one alliance but the division is symptomatic of the splits within the opposition spaces,” said Magaisa. Daily News