Opinion / Columnist
Whose interests is Charamba serving?
20 Aug 2021 at 07:28hrs | Views
IN response to 'Military won't hand over power', TAKUNDA MOSA says: President Emmerson Mnangagwa's spokesperson George Charamba's tweet reveals that the military is working to ensure stability in the ruling party Zanu-PF. He is telling the nation that the military is a Zanu-PF affiliate.
This is not new though. Military chiefs have in the past declared that they will not salute anyone without liberation war credentials.
Charamba's statement implies that the country was liberated by Zanu-PF and it solely belongs to Zanu-PF and that holding the 2023 elections is a waste of time and resources because it is a foregone conclusion.
The remarks also indicate where the centre of power lies and that the army decides who rules Zimbabwe regardless of the election result, which is exactly what happened in 2008 when Zanu-PF refused to hand over power and reluctantly shared it with MDC.
It is, therefore, not clear, whether it makes sense to hold elections in 2023 considering that people like Charamba openly tell the nation that our vote does not matter.
MDC Alliance leader Nelson Chamisa is fighting for democracy, like what the late former President Robert Mugabe fought for (although he deviated from the ethos of the struggle) against the Rhodesian regime. Therefore, Charamba should not instil fear in Chamisa's backers.
Social media is awash with jokes about the Zambian elections where the ruling party led by President Edgar Lungu lost and is claiming rigging and intimidation.
Because of his position, Charamba must not make such reckless statements.
On the other hand, the opposition and civic society organisations should use Charamba's remarks to demand security sector reforms.
The military should stay in the barracks and stop interfering in civilian matters.
Its duty is to protect the country from foreign aggressors.
This is not new though. Military chiefs have in the past declared that they will not salute anyone without liberation war credentials.
Charamba's statement implies that the country was liberated by Zanu-PF and it solely belongs to Zanu-PF and that holding the 2023 elections is a waste of time and resources because it is a foregone conclusion.
The remarks also indicate where the centre of power lies and that the army decides who rules Zimbabwe regardless of the election result, which is exactly what happened in 2008 when Zanu-PF refused to hand over power and reluctantly shared it with MDC.
It is, therefore, not clear, whether it makes sense to hold elections in 2023 considering that people like Charamba openly tell the nation that our vote does not matter.
MDC Alliance leader Nelson Chamisa is fighting for democracy, like what the late former President Robert Mugabe fought for (although he deviated from the ethos of the struggle) against the Rhodesian regime. Therefore, Charamba should not instil fear in Chamisa's backers.
Social media is awash with jokes about the Zambian elections where the ruling party led by President Edgar Lungu lost and is claiming rigging and intimidation.
Because of his position, Charamba must not make such reckless statements.
On the other hand, the opposition and civic society organisations should use Charamba's remarks to demand security sector reforms.
The military should stay in the barracks and stop interfering in civilian matters.
Its duty is to protect the country from foreign aggressors.
Source - newsday
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