Mwonzora says Zimbabwe opposition unity is a 'myth'

MDC president Douglas Mwonzora has rejected the idea that bringing all Zimbabwean opposition parties together would automatically provide a solution to defeating ZANU PF, instead calling for unity among what he described as "progressive forces."

Speaking in an interview with Black Empowerment Television, Mwonzora questioned whether all politicians regarded as opposition leaders were genuinely opposed to the Government.

"Unity of the opposition per se is not the answer," Mwonzora said.

"What is the answer is to have an opposition party that is consistent, that is well organized because some of the people you may call opposition leaders may not be opposition really. They may be people working for and on behalf of the state."

Mwonzora did not name the politicians he was referring to, but said their actions could reveal their alleged links to state interests.

"I don't mention names here but I do know that there are certain elements who by their actions will show you that they are working to advance the interest of the state," he said.

He nevertheless said political forces genuinely committed to democratic progress should be able to work together.

"Having said that, it still stands to reason that all the progressive forces, not everyone, forces who have demonstrated that they are for progress must come together," Mwonzora said.

He pointed to cooperation among different political groups in challenging Constitutional Amendment No. 3 as an example of how opposition forces could pursue a common objective without necessarily forming a single political party.

Mwonzora said meaningful opposition cooperation would require political leaders to reduce internal conflict, respect one another and establish common values.

"So in order to have genuine opposition unity, you need to make sure that you deescalate conflict among the opposition leaders. You have mutual respect. You have the same values," he said.

He also criticised the quality of dialogue among opposition leaders, saying political differences had often prevented them from listening to one another.

"The opposition must be able to listen to one another. The conversation of opposition leaders in Zimbabwe is a typical conversation of the deaf. Nobody listens to the other," Mwonzora said.

He argued that previous attempts to unite opposition parties had demonstrated that bringing together groups under a broad coalition was not, by itself, sufficient to challenge ZANU PF.

"So unity of the opposition as a panacea is a myth. What we need is the unity of progressive forces within the opposition," Mwonzora said.

His comments come amid renewed debate within Zimbabwe's opposition over how to build an effective political alternative to ZANU PF, with divisions, leadership disputes and mistrust continuing to complicate efforts to establish a united front.