In an interview with NewsDay reporter Obey Manayiti (ND), MDC Alliance leader Nelson Chamisa (NC)said President Mnangagwa has not responded to his request for dialogue.
Chamisa said Mnangagwa’s tweet saying he was ready for dialogue was just a public relations stunt. He said Mnangagwa must not ignore his calls for a dialogue. Chamisa added that it is not possible to move on without resolving the legitimacy issues. He however said he is not asking for a Government of National Unity (GNU). Below is an excerpt of the interview:
ND: You spoke about resolving the legitimacy problem through dialogue. Are you ready to dialogue with Zanu PF?
NC: We offered dialogue as an answer to resolve the legitimacy issue and there hasn’t been a response from Mr Mnangagwa. Perhaps he feels it is not necessary but he will discover that it is necessary. Like I said, you cannot govern without the consent of the governed. Government is a contract and it is early advice to Mr Mnangagwa not to ignore citizens particularly the over 2,6 million who voted for me. It is really unfortunate and it cannot be sustained…
ND: Are you ready for a GNU?
NC: Dialogue doesn’t mean that there will be a Government of National Unity or inclusive government, but dialogue is a gesture of moving the nation forward. This country is divided and it requires a united front. Without unity of purpose and singularity of the national objectives and common vision, it is difficult to have answers to people’s problems. It is impossible. Going to the international community with a divided view will not help us because there are questions that need to be resolved.
ND: So, it is not you who refused dialogue?
NC: You must emphasize that because a lot of people think that it is me who is refusing to dialogue. His (Mnangagwa’s) tweet was just a PR (public relations) tweet and on the ground there is nothing, he hasn’t shown any interest.
More: NewsDay
The president had publicly stretched his hand to Chamisa and now Chamisa is now accusing him. If Chamisa is serious that he wants a dialogue with the president thus good for the country, all we want is peace and unity.
Kumba kwenyu kana uchida kutaurirana ne mumwe wawa pesana naye unoenda pamusoro pe churu here and say, ….”i want to have dialogue with my brother, see, my hands are open…lets talk for the good of the family!” and then you stop there. Is that how sincere you are? Vanhu vane mwoyo we kutaurirana are humble and do not play political games. So why is he refusing the dialogue that he shouted over the mountain top? That shows you that ED is not sincere…he wants people especially the international community to think that he has changed yet he still uses the draconian POSA selectively on opposition supporters.
The question Chamisa and his followers must ask themselves is, is it fair for all Zimbabweans to suffer because he did not make it to state house? He should know when to quit he cannot even be part of a GNU unless he understands that he is not the president. As time goes on he will find that he is actually working against the people not for the people. Those who have time to waste cheering him on must remember not to force other people into pointless demostrations. I was actually disapointed when Chamisa denied that the people who died on the street were not his supporters on SABC.
Can someone advice him that he is actually running against the wind.