Opinion / Columnist
Chamisa is a danger to Zimbabwean democracy
29 Mar 2018 at 10:31hrs | Views
The ISS (Institute for Security Studies) Africa is a serious organisation, a world leader in the policy research field. In a think tank and NGO world dominated by bodies from Europe and North America, the ISS stands tall as a proudly African research body, offering high quality African policy solutions to the challenges of our continent. So when the ISS speaks, we should pay attention.
And this week the ISS has spoken, loud and clear.
In a paper entitled "MDC-T does succession the ZANU-PF way", the world respected research body explained that Nelson Chamisa's recent unashamed power-grab was both unconstitutional and damaging to the cause of democracy in Zimbabwe, a cause his party has always claimed to fight for.
As the ISS paper clearly outlines, by virtue of the MDC constitution, upon the death of Morgan Tsvangirai, as the only elected party representative, Thokozani Khupe "automatically became acting president" until an extraordinary party conference could be held to vote on a new party president.
The paper minces no words in its rebuke of Chamisa's dictatorial actions that would bring pride to a litany of dictators, from our own Robert Mugabe to Joseph Stalin.
Chamisa's first step was to hold a 'dubiously convened' national council meeting, which he chaired himself, and at which he was 'declared' acting president. Five days later, at Tsvangirai's funeral, "Chamisa inappropriately used the occasion to whip up support for his position among the thousands of party faithful present".
Following this, Chamisa supporters "set upon Khupe and others… attempting to drive her out of a village hut where she had sought refuge from the baying and violent mob, by lighting the thatch.... Chamisa then tried to persuade a sceptical public of the legality of his position", before using a doctored and fraudulent version of the party constitution to justify his claim to the throne.
The findings of this research report are stark, and should be of concern to all Zimbabweans, especially the Chamisa hero-worshippers, whose blind devotion to their master eclipses even the fervour that ZANU-PF supporters once displayed for former president Mugabe. Sadly, as anyone who has dared raise even the most innocuous of questions about Chamisa on social media would attest, the Chamisa 'base' is so blind in its reverence for their idol, that it seems he can do no wrong in their eyes.
But beyond this, there is a broad group of rational, moderate Zimbabweans, of which I count myself. A 'silent majority' that are fed up with the hero-worship, intimidation and intolerance for dissent that has been associated with Zimbabwean politics for too long. Our well trained antennae for dictatorial tendencies have been alerted to the dangers of Nelson Chamisa, and the accompanying violence of his supporters, and we will not be hoodwinked into blindly following him based on the spurious reasoning that he is not Mugabe, or that he is articulate, well dressed and has a nice smile.
As the ISS paper states, for years the MDC has combined a message of 'Mugabe must go' with a promise of economic and democratic reform. As we approach the 2018 election, Mugabe has gone, Emmerson Mnangagwa is reforming our economy, and Chamisa has shown his ambivalence to democracy.
The paper concludes that "all that now distinguishes the MDC-T and ZANU-PF as parties is what remains of the MDC-T's stated commitment to constitutionalism and non-violence. It is not lost on the electorate that the ugly succession battle and Chamisa's power grab have blurred these remaining dividing lines".
As rational and pragmatic citizens, we must listen to the warnings of the ISS and similar organisations. We must hold the MDC to account. We must demand it is true to its constitution and its much trumpeted belief in democracy. We must fight the dictatorial and violent trends that are sweeping the party before it is too late.
Let us remember the lessons of history. Our parent's generation also had a young, charismatic and dynamic leader, who promised to lead them to utopia. His name was Robert Mugabe.
We all know what happened next.
And this week the ISS has spoken, loud and clear.
In a paper entitled "MDC-T does succession the ZANU-PF way", the world respected research body explained that Nelson Chamisa's recent unashamed power-grab was both unconstitutional and damaging to the cause of democracy in Zimbabwe, a cause his party has always claimed to fight for.
As the ISS paper clearly outlines, by virtue of the MDC constitution, upon the death of Morgan Tsvangirai, as the only elected party representative, Thokozani Khupe "automatically became acting president" until an extraordinary party conference could be held to vote on a new party president.
The paper minces no words in its rebuke of Chamisa's dictatorial actions that would bring pride to a litany of dictators, from our own Robert Mugabe to Joseph Stalin.
Chamisa's first step was to hold a 'dubiously convened' national council meeting, which he chaired himself, and at which he was 'declared' acting president. Five days later, at Tsvangirai's funeral, "Chamisa inappropriately used the occasion to whip up support for his position among the thousands of party faithful present".
Following this, Chamisa supporters "set upon Khupe and others… attempting to drive her out of a village hut where she had sought refuge from the baying and violent mob, by lighting the thatch.... Chamisa then tried to persuade a sceptical public of the legality of his position", before using a doctored and fraudulent version of the party constitution to justify his claim to the throne.
The findings of this research report are stark, and should be of concern to all Zimbabweans, especially the Chamisa hero-worshippers, whose blind devotion to their master eclipses even the fervour that ZANU-PF supporters once displayed for former president Mugabe. Sadly, as anyone who has dared raise even the most innocuous of questions about Chamisa on social media would attest, the Chamisa 'base' is so blind in its reverence for their idol, that it seems he can do no wrong in their eyes.
But beyond this, there is a broad group of rational, moderate Zimbabweans, of which I count myself. A 'silent majority' that are fed up with the hero-worship, intimidation and intolerance for dissent that has been associated with Zimbabwean politics for too long. Our well trained antennae for dictatorial tendencies have been alerted to the dangers of Nelson Chamisa, and the accompanying violence of his supporters, and we will not be hoodwinked into blindly following him based on the spurious reasoning that he is not Mugabe, or that he is articulate, well dressed and has a nice smile.
As the ISS paper states, for years the MDC has combined a message of 'Mugabe must go' with a promise of economic and democratic reform. As we approach the 2018 election, Mugabe has gone, Emmerson Mnangagwa is reforming our economy, and Chamisa has shown his ambivalence to democracy.
The paper concludes that "all that now distinguishes the MDC-T and ZANU-PF as parties is what remains of the MDC-T's stated commitment to constitutionalism and non-violence. It is not lost on the electorate that the ugly succession battle and Chamisa's power grab have blurred these remaining dividing lines".
As rational and pragmatic citizens, we must listen to the warnings of the ISS and similar organisations. We must hold the MDC to account. We must demand it is true to its constitution and its much trumpeted belief in democracy. We must fight the dictatorial and violent trends that are sweeping the party before it is too late.
Let us remember the lessons of history. Our parent's generation also had a young, charismatic and dynamic leader, who promised to lead them to utopia. His name was Robert Mugabe.
We all know what happened next.
Source - Charles, Student
All articles and letters published on Bulawayo24 have been independently written by members of Bulawayo24's community. The views of users published on Bulawayo24 are therefore their own and do not necessarily represent the views of Bulawayo24. Bulawayo24 editors also reserve the right to edit or delete any and all comments received.
