“I have prepared this brief statement to update you on the efforts around the resolution
of the disputed outcome of the August 2023 general elections that did not produce a
credible and legitimate government chosen by the citizens of Zimbabwe” – Nelson Chamisa (27.05.2024).
Today, Nelson Chamisa, the vastly important opposition leader in Zimbabwe published a three pages update on the resolution in regards to the August 2023 Elections. The elections that ensured legitimacy for a second term for President Mnangagwa. It has also given more power to ZANU-PF and briefcase opposition leaders who has dismantled the CCC, piece by piece. Just like it was done in the previous term with the MDC-Alliance.
Chamisa seems to be futile and lack proper choices for his movement. There isn’t much meat or anything digestible from the update. It just shows that it’s all thoughts and prayers. We know there is a lack of proper resolutions or built up on your own…
When Chamisa says this: “On the 29th of April, however, since considerable time has passed, yet we had sought to resolve this issue much earlier, we delivered our follow-up to SADC for which we await a response to determine a clear path forward to resolve the governance crisis and leadership dispute. Our request to SADC was and remains very simple, that, as the regional body which
Zimbabwe has signed up for membership and vested some authority in the supranational
intergovernmental organization, we require their facilitation to peacefully resolve the
issues around the irregular and disputed elections” (Chamisa, 27.05.2024).
He has petitioned the SADC, but that regional body won’t touch or deal with the August 2023 Elections. That is well known and isn’t news. The only thing Chamisa can get is sympathy and advice for the authorities and the electoral bodies. Alas, the actions and the laws will be implemented by the Zimbabwean government itself. We have seen this movie before… and it isn’t funny. SADC can be called upon, but it won’t save you and has no interest in doing so. It serves the “elected” leadership and won’t challenge that.
Chamisa continues: “We reiterate this point to SADC, the AU and indeed to the international community, that it is untidy and untenable to sanitize or fertilize theft of elections and electoral
malpractices by turning a deaf ear and casting a blind eye to matters of gigantic electoral fraud. Such is an afront to “the Africa we want”. As you are aware, elections are the highest level through which a mandate is attained or ascertained as a contract between the governing and the governed. No government can justly claim authority to govern unless it is based on the will and consent of the people” (Chamisa, 27.05.2024).
Chamisa isn’t wrong with what he writes or says. We are several who has written the same. But he should know that the SADC and AU won’t come with salvation or hope. They will only condemn and move on. There is nothing they will bring to the table or change anything. That has to happen from within. This is why Chamisa is on a fool’s errand in this regard. The ideals and the words he writes are the truth, but they don’t carry weight when there is no internal resolve.
He continues: “Our beautiful country can never progress on the back of disunity and successive disputed national processes including contested elections. We are acutely aware of the urgency
of this matter and more importantly that there can never be any talk of 2028 or a viable and stable future for this country without resolving August 2023, the broken past, and disputed politics. It remains our hope and indeed your hope that all these concerns will be addressed with urgency and seriousness” (Chamisa, 27.05.2024).
As we see, he himself just petitions and asks for outside entities to bring remedies. While now striking a cord that there is a need for change within. There is only talk of creating a new election and making it credible. However, ZANU-PF and Mnangagwa won’t risk that or deliver this. That isn’t in their interests and Chamisa knows this. That’s why he has lost MDC-Alliance and the CCC. This is what ZANU-PF has created and Chamisa has nowhere to hide. Neither is it creating any uprising or will to revolt. There is no signs of that… and distrust of government is natural when you live on a lie, but that won’t make the citizens spark in fury over night.
It is so unique that he ends like this: “I therefore urge you to take an active role in peacefully determining the destiny of our country. I exhort you, fellow citizens, the intercessors, and the church, to continue to pray for a smooth and peaceful transition in our country. Stay the course, hold the fort, hold fast and stand involved. Stand ready. Change is upon us” (Chamisa, 27.05.2024).
It is hard reading this paragraph after publishing an update calling upon SADC and the AU. That’s who he called upon and wanted some resolve from, but isn’t getting. Alas, after all of that he asks for people or the citizens to participate, but he himself haven’t talked about or directed where they should act upon it. Neither is there a guidelines or memorandum that shows where he wants people to go. There is a need for what he says…
We know the ZANU-PF won’t fear this update or Chamisa. Neither will they be worried about SADC or AU. They will not touch the leaders of Harare. No they are shielded and safe. Chamisa should focus on building momentum and a movement that cannot be hijacked by the ZANU-PF. That’s what he needs to build and an organization that cannot be touched or used by puppets of regime. This is where his energy should go… unless he wants to be a voice of a revolution. Because, right now… his to moderate and seems to bewildered about the situation his in. Peace.
MinBane 