Coalition talks, a sum of zeros

Contradictory sentiments and statements emanating from the MDC-T party in the past few weeks clearly prove that there are sharp differences between officials in that party over the possibility of an opposition coalition.

It is now hard to pin-point where the MDC-T really stands over coalition talks. MDC-T leader, Morgan Tsvangirai, continues to spew ambiguous statements, with his officials similarly indicating left while turning right.

When he appeared before the Bulawayo Press Club recently, Tsvangirai told journalists that his National Executive Council had given him the go-ahead to enter into a coalition with other opposition parties in preparation of the 2018 harmonised elections.

However, that position was later disputed by the MDC-T Secretary for Local Government, Eddie Cross, who told the NewsDay that the majority of members in the National Executive Council were opposed to the idea of the MDC-T joining a coalition of opposition groups. Cross told the paper that, "Yes, the majority of the party leadership feels that a coalition will not help. The president (Tsvangirai) is naturally bound by the feelings of the majority." However, given Tsvangirai's penchant for unilateralism, there is no guarantee that the majority decision will hold sway. Ask Welshman Ncube, Tendai Biti and Elton Mangoma.

To bring more confusion to the topic, Tsvangirai told The Standard that forming a coalition of opposition parties is not a priority to his party.

He said, "The question of a coalition is neither here nor there. We know that there are people that are putting the coalition discussions first, but we believe what is important is to fight for good electoral conditions. It will not help to have 10-15 parties uniting but going into elections under conditions which will provide the same result. That's why for us, the priority is conditions first and positions later."

In a contrasting tone, the MDC-T Women's Assembly pronounced that it fully supports the idea of a coalition of opposition parties.

That Assembly's Chairperson, Lynette Karenyi, recently told the NewsDay that, "There is need from the likes of Joice Mujuru to join hands with us so that we can fight this ruthless regime."

Interestingly, this sentiment also ran counter to what the MDC-T Secretary General, Douglas Mwonzora, had previously told the media.

Mwonzora announced that his party had shelved coalition plans, saying, "I can confirm that the party has decided to shelve any coalition plans. We have carefully analysed the situation and realised that other opposition parties do not have much to give to the coalition in terms of following. They do not have any significant following and so we have said let us concentrate on rebuilding our party and strengthening it."

These are some of the glaring contradictions blighting that party. Despite clouding the people's understanding of the MDC-T's position over coalitions, the contradictions expose that party as a directionless, equivocating political entity that cannot give a clear-cut statement on such a simple matter.

Surely, if the MDC-T cannot pronounce itself on such a peripheral political issue, how else would it be expected to grapple with complex and energy sapping issues of governance and policy-making when it comes to power, if ever it will?

Obviously, the party has no ideological gravitas or political acumen to deserve a place in Government.

Furthermore, the entangled coalition submissions by senior MDC-T officials have also exhibited their deep-seated contempt for their opposition colleagues.

Tsvangirai condemned other opposition parties as only interested in coalition positions instead of fighting for better electoral conditions.

He said, "We know that there are people that are putting the coalition discussions first, but we believe what is important is to fight for good electoral conditions."

Mwonzora also slated the parties for lacking grassroot support.

He said, "Other opposition parties do not have much to give to the coalition in terms of following. They do not have any significant following and so we have said let us concentrate on rebuilding our party and strengthening it."

Eddie Cross reserved the most scornful attack on his opposition compatriots, describing them as fully lacking the patriotic spirit to be incorporated into a coalition.

He told the NewsDay that, "As far as we are concerned, a coalition should be built on two things: the interests of the country and the will of the people. In the majority of cases, we do not see this in our colleagues in the opposition movement."

With such revilement, which party would ever like to partner the MDC-T in a coalition? With this ‘Big Brother' mentality and conflicting signals on coalitions, the MDC-T has squandered the trust and opportunity to be in a coalition.

Compounded by the fact that all opposition parties are actually political nonentities, the talk on coalitions remains a sum of zeros.