Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Zimeye
Published on 2024-03-31 10:26:22
Chamisa Aides Warm Up For Top Posts
Amidst the ongoing efforts to rejuvenate Zimbabwe’s opposition landscape, allies of Nelson Chamisa are reportedly vying for prominent positions within the yet-to-be-disclosed movement. This development comes in the wake of the destabilization caused by the contentious recall of elected representatives following the 2023 elections.
Chamisa’s departure from the CCC in January, citing alleged infiltration by Zanu PF, triggered a scramble for power within the opposition ranks. With self-imposed secretary general Sengezo Tshabangu wresting control of the party and initiating recalls of legislators and councillors, Chamisa distanced himself from any specific opposition faction or movement. Nevertheless, key figures close to Chamisa, notably Amos Chibaya and Gift Siziba, have been actively rallying support under the banner of the Blue Movement.
The mobilization efforts, particularly in selecting grassroots leaders for the movement, have led to internal divisions. According to insider sources, the selection process for grassroots leaders has encountered disputes, with some individuals imposing themselves into positions of authority. The grassroots members are demanding a more inclusive approach to selecting local leaders, highlighting tensions within the burgeoning movement.
While declining to comment on the alleged infighting, Gift Siziba emphasized the overwhelming support for Chamisa among grassroots supporters, citing a fervent desire to combat dictatorship and champion democracy. Despite the anticipation surrounding the new movement, specifics regarding its launch remain undisclosed. Siziba emphasized the focus on building a mass movement and organizing at the grassroots level to address longstanding electoral challenges in Zimbabwe.
Recent attempts to organize rallies, however, faced obstacles, with a planned event in Mukoba constituency being banned by police. Meanwhile, behind-the-scenes discussions between Chamisa and former allies Welshman Ncube and Tendai Biti have surfaced, indicating potential realignments within the opposition. Bulawayo mayor David Coltart acknowledged the disarray within the opposition, advocating for a departure from personality-driven politics and urging reconciliation among key figures to effectively challenge Zanu PF’s dominance.
He emphasized the necessity of unity in confronting Zimbabwe’s political challenges, underscoring the complexity of the current opposition landscape.
In the midst of these developments, Chamisa and his allies are gearing up for top positions within the yet-to-be-disclosed movement. The departure of Chamisa from the CCC earlier this year has triggered a power struggle within the opposition ranks, leading to the emergence of the Blue Movement spearheaded by key figures close to Chamisa such as Amos Chibaya and Gift Siziba.
Despite internal divisions over the selection process for grassroots leaders, there is overwhelming support for Chamisa among grassroots supporters who are keen on combating dictatorship and championing democracy in Zimbabwe. The focus remains on building a mass movement and organizing at the grassroots level to address the electoral challenges in the country.
While there are challenges such as the banning of rallies by the police, there are also discussions of potential realignments within the opposition as Chamisa engages with former allies Welshman Ncube and Tendai Biti. The call for unity and reconciliation among key opposition figures is growing louder, with leaders like David Coltart emphasizing the need to move away from personality-driven politics to effectively challenge Zanu PF’s dominance.
The opposition landscape in Zimbabwe is undergoing a period of transformation and reorganization, with Chamisa and his allies at the forefront of these changes. The push for top positions within the upcoming movement signals a shift in the dynamics of the opposition, as they strive to address the challenges facing the country and consolidate their support base among grassroots supporters.
Read the original article on The Zimbabwe Eye
