MDC-T not threatened

THE Movement for Democratic Change (MDC-T) led by former Prime Minister, Morgan Tsvangirai currently preparing for an elective congress slated for month end says it is not threatened by the ongoing unity talks between its two former secretaries-general Welshman Ncube and Tendai Biti. Ncube leads the MDC formation which parted ways with Tsvangirai in 2005 over the decision on whether or not to participate in the senate elections, while Biti heads the MDC Renewal Team which broke away from the MDC-T in April.

The MDC Renewal Team has since April said it was open to any coalition with progressive political parties ahead of the next polls in 2018. Recently the Ncube-led MDC and the MDC Renewal Team signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) as talks for a broader grand coalition gather momentum. The agreement was signed by the two secretaries-general of the MDC and the MDC-Renewal Team, Priscilla Misihairabwi-Mushonga and Biti, respectively.

"The two secretaries-general of the MDC and the MDC-Renewal Team, Priscilla Misihairabwi-Mushonga and Tendai Biti, with their negotiation teams, respectively met today (October 8, 2014) in Harare as mandated by their political parties and signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to officially commence talks on reunification," the parties said in a joint statement.

The two MDC formations said they believed unity was the only way to defeat President Robert Mugabe, who has already been endorsed by his party's women and youth leagues as their preferred presidential candidate in the 2018 elections. In recent weeks, both parties declared that it was not possible for one political party to dislodge President Mugabe and called on all the country's "democratic forces" to put their heads together.

The two parties explained the objective of the reunification as based on a common history, bond and the origins of the MDC, as formed in 1999. "The talks will be guided by the shared values and principles of the MDC, which include tolerance, the rule of law, peace, democracy, gender equality and a servant leadership," the statement said.

"The two formations are convinced of the necessity and imperative of the reunification as an important step towards achieving national progress and achievement of the ultimate goal of a democratic and prosperous Zimbabwe." The Ncube and Biti-led parties said they "will continue to be part of the grand coalition talks and consultations in which the two parties have been involved in and are fully committed".

Other parties touted for the grand coalition which excludes Tsvangirai's formation include ZAPU and Mavambo/Kusile/Dawn led by former finance minister Simba Makoni. But Douglas Mwonzora, MDC-T spokesperson this week said they were not threatened by Ncube and Biti whom he said did not have the grassroots support.
"Firstly, the so-called alliance is predicated upon the politics of exclusion; they have made a determined effort to exclude other political parties," Mwonzora said.

He said such an alliance was doomed to fail in that it is elitist in nature, adding as a result it would not attract supporters. Mwonzora said his party had always wanted to forge alliances with other opposition parties ahead of the 2018 ballot but said the challenge has been that proponents of the grand coalition have openly called for their exclusion. "We cannot join hands with people who do not want us," he emphasised.

Political analyst, Dumisani Mpofu, said the touted union between Ncube and Biti led MDC formation stands a better chance of succeeding compared to the Tsvangirai group. "The Renewal Team is yet to establish its popularity, the MDC-T could have an edge over it in 2018, notwithstanding the efficacy of other political parties, ZANU-PF included," observed Lawton Hikwa, another political analyst. Hikwa was, however, quick to observe that the MDC-T's support in its Bulawayo stronghold was also fast waning. "The MDC-T seems to be losing its stronghold in Bulawayo Metropolitan Province, owing to its internal structural fragmentation and problems. This might affect its efficacy in the following elections in 2018," added Hikwa.

During the 2008 harmonised polls, Ncube's party won 10 House of Assembly seats. But the party then dismally failed to garner a single seat in last year's elections even in its perceived strongholds of Matabeleland and Midlands. Despite repeated calls from supporters for the MDC parties to unite ahead of the 2013 elections, the political parties participated as a separate entities something that gave ZANU-PF an overwhelming victory of over two thirds parliamentary majority. Dissatisfied with the performance of the MDC-T in the past elections, Biti and others broke ranks with Tsvangirai, rebranding themselves into what is today known as the MDC Renewal Team.