MDC factions might unite before elections
HARARE – Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai says his Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) party may reconsider a possible reunification pact with its splinter faction led by Deputy Prime Minister Arthur Mutambara to boost its chances of winning the next elections.
Speaking during a panel discussion in Harare Thursday evening, the MDC leader described his party’s split in October 2005 as regrettable.
“Any split is regrettable. There is no objection for the MDC to come together again but it takes two to tango,” he said. The Mass Public Opinion Institute organised talk forum, also attended by the MDC top leadership, had been called to trace back the party’s 11-year struggle for democracy.
Tsvangirai added, “If there is an opportunity for an election pact, that would be considered. They are not our enemies, get me right. Those who split and formed another MDC are not our enemies.”
Tsvangirai’s pronouncement, the earliest hint of what may become his party’s strategy to upstage President Mugabe’s Zanu PF, could also be good news to the Mutambara led group, which faces political oblivion if ongoing defections and open discontent against its leadership are to continue.
Dates for the next elections have not yet been announced by the inclusive government although they are expected soon after the writing and possible adoption of a new constitution in 2011. The MDC split 2005 had been caused by strong differences on whether or not to participate in the then reintroduced senatorial elections.
Tsvangirai was adamant the poll was a sheer waste of scarce resources while his colleagues saw an opportunity to check Zanu PF’s dominance in the house. Tsvangirai also launched a veiled attack on his erstwhile colleagues saying they had been adjudged as fake by the electorate.
“When people disagree and disagree fundamentally, it’s up to the people of Zimbabwe to judge. It’s not up to the splinters to justify their split and the only way to make that judgement is to go to the people who will judge on whether Morgan Tsvangirai is genuine or fake. Don’t mistake and take people for granted.”
“You can be clever and do what you think but people can see through you. Your character would be up to question and be careful. The people will judge you.” Tsvangirai further warned against undermining the influence of Southern African Development Community (SADC) on Mugabe.
“Don’t underestimate the influence of those guys,” he said. “They may not have police powers to arrest Mugabe. Ask us when we go to those forums how influential those bodies are. But they have what is called peer influence. They don’t shout in public but they are very influential behind doors.”
Critics accuse the younger crop of SADC leaders for continuously failing to reign in Zimbabwe’s long serving leader who is accused of wilful violation of Zimbabwe’s September 15, 2008 unity pact. Daily News
