Hichilema party affirms support for opposition CCC party in Zimbabwe

Zambia’s ruling United Party for National Development (UPND) has affirmed its support for Zimbabwe’s main opposition Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) ahead of the 2023 elections.

UPND, led by President Hakainde Hichilema assumed the seventh presidency of Zambia on the 24 August 2021 after having contested five previous elections in 2006, 2008, 2011, 2015 and 2016.

Against this background, the Zambian party has maintained their stance against the Zanu-PF party, making it clear that it supports the CCC.

In his congratulatory message to CCC leader Nelson Chamisa for attaining 45 years, UPND spokesperson Joseph Kalimbwe on Thursday said his party would support the biggest Zanu-PF rival in Zimbabwe.

He also praised his personal relationship with Chamisa.

“Nelson Chamisa is one of the most kind and guileless people you must have in your circle, more so, a person you would want leading a set of people. He never thinks of himself as being too important to pick or return missed calls and reply messages even at 10pm in the night,” he said.

“We are not yet done perfecting our region in SADC. A lot still is to be done. And admittedly, we have a lot of differences between the ruling parties and the opposition in the region but there is nothing wrong with that – it’s these idealistic contests – whether here in Zambia,

“Zimbabwe, Namibia or anywhere – which will push our countries forward. With him around and should you give him a chance, I have no doubt, we will be steps closer to resolving our collective challenges. Happy birthday my senior Nelson Chamisa.”

Zimbabwe will hold harmonized general elections in less than five months time. Chamisa will face Mnangagwa in the ballot box that will decide the trajectory of the country for the next five years.