MDC president Nelson Chamisa has decided to change tact in seeking for dialogue with President Emmerson Mnangagwa, according to reports.
Chamisa is now calling for the churches to lead the dialogue while Mnangagwa is thought to be sceptical about involving the Church which he feels is funded by countries he considers to be unfriendly towards Zimbabwe.
Addressing his supporters recently, Chamisa said:
The only way forward is a comprehensive reform programme upon nation-building and peace-building to facilitate national healing and national engagement and international realignment, in order for us to deal with the crisis there must be genuine dialogue.
We have shouted our voices hoarse inviting Mnangagwa to a table of national dialogue to resolve these issues because nations are built on a foundation of dialogue, but engagement the ostrich way will not resolve our issues.
The arrogant mindset will not resolve our issues, the dog-eat-dog will not resolve our crisis, we need a credible dialogue, the churches could be a consideration, or maybe former heads of States but it must be underwritten by the international community.
This is the only answer to the cries of the people, this is the only credible answer to the rural and urban people who are suffering, we need to have a conducive environment for business, we cannot be focussing on politics all the time, the business cycle should be longer than that of politics.
Meanwhile, Mnangagwa has insisted on continuing to dialogue with fringe opposition political parties, with most visible ones having pulled out of the talks.
The issue of dialogue is fast becoming a fading song.Before this dialogue is held both parties,Mnangagwa and Chamisa should drastically work on their pride and make sacrificial compromises to have a meaningful dialogue.You may even call the Pope and all the Bishops of the world to the dialogue but if there is no sincere respect for each other no progress will be made.Chamisa will have to live with the fact that he is not president and will not be, for at least the next five years.So for now he has to recognise Mnangagwa as the president of Zimbabwe.What is done is done and Chamisa must stop dreaming that Mnangagwa will at any given time relinguish his job for him.People with the nation at heart will make the most difficult sacrifices.That is what defines a true leader.A sacrifice is most painful but if you succeed in offering it then the people will be most indebted to you.People are not stupid.As for Mnangagwa he must consider the circumstances through which he ascended the throne, that it was not all glorious.As a result he must soften his stance and continue to open his arms for sincere dialogue the same way he said Zimbabwe is open for business.He should also consider new parties since they have also become stakeholders.After all we are all Zimbabweans who want to reclaim our dignity as a unique country.