THE opposition Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) says Zimbabwe remains on the agenda of the Southern African Development Community (Sadc) extra-ordinary summit set for Angola on Saturday.
CCC leader Nelson Chamisa on September 26 wrote to Sadc executive secretary Elias Magosi requesting the regional body to mediate dialogue among the “main political players” to address the political crisis bedevilling the country following the disputed August 23 and 24 harmonised polls.
Foreign Affairs and International Trade minister Feredrick Shava also confirmed that the regional grouping’s chairman, Angolan President João Lourenço and the secretariat wanted Zimbabwe’s crisis to be discussed as a matter of urgency.
He, however, revealed that government had objected to the item being included on the meeting’s agenda although the leaders are expected in Luanda, Angola, this Saturday for further discussions on the matter.
The weekend meeting follows Tuesday’s failed virtual discussion.
Meanwhile, according to the CCC letter to Sadc dated September 26, 2023 seen by NewsDay, Chamisa said Zimbabweans were restraining themselves because they were confident that Sadc would resolve the political challenges they were facing.
The letter was copied to Lourenço, chairperson of the Sadc Organ on Politics, Defence and Security and Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema and Troika director Kula Ishmael Theletsane.
“Your Excellency, I write to you in my capacity as a presidential candidate in the recently held disputed elections in Zimbabwe requesting the facilitation of Sadc to resolve the deteriorating situation, deepening political challenges and inevitable unprecedented crisis.
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“The crisis in Zimbabwe does not only affect local Zimbabweans. It is having terrible consequences for the region, as Zimbabwe lies at the heart of southern Africa,” Chamisa’s letter read.
“Your Excellency, there is extreme and increasing pressure from the citizens of Zimbabwe who are seeking justice and a peaceful resolution and settlement of the disputed election.
“The citizens of Zimbabwe are exercising restraint based on the confidence that we have in Sadc and its institutions for a resolution.”
Chamisa insisted in his letter to Magosi that the electoral dispute in Zimbabwe would only be addressed through fresh elections.
He added: “In this regard, it is our position that a flawed election can only be cured by a proper, fresh, credible, transparent, lawful, free and fair election.
“We are, therefore, appealing to Sadc to assist the Zimbabwean citizens to break the vicious cycle of disputed elections and return the country to legitimacy and normalcy by facilitating three interrelated processes, namely assisting Zimbabwe’s stakeholders and major political actors to dialogue, facilitating and mediating on the finding of a new national consensus and mechanism to institute political, electoral and economic reforms before credible elections are held.”
However, in his opening remarks during a Sadc extraordinary virtual summit on Tuesday, Lourenço instead congratulated Mnangagwa on his victory, saying the polls “constituted a major victory for democracy”.
The CCC accuses the ruling Zanu PF party of blocking discussion on the August elections at Sadc.
“Sadc must be able to mediate a political settlement. Zimbabwe is on the agenda of the next Sadc convening because we have raised various issues that need to be addressed. The congratulatory message does not mean that our issues have been ignored,” CCC deputy spokesperson Gift Siziba said.
Zanu PF acting director for information Farai Marapira said there was “nothing to discuss” on Zimbabwe’s elections since Sadc had already congratulated Mnangagwa on the elections.
“The opposition is not only misguided but quite delusional in its stance. Yesterday (Tuesday), the entirety of Sadc congratulated Zanu PF and the President on the successfully and democratically held elections,” he said.
“In the face of these congratulations, what else should Sadc be discussing? If there was any issue within Sadc, they should have highlighted that instead of congratulating.
“By congratulating, Sadc has said the election is over so elections are no longer a topic. We do not expect Sadc to discuss the issue of election in the next meeting but if it does, I do not see how it continues to be a topic when it has already congratulated us.”
