Coltart Urges Chamisa & ED To Meet Halfway

Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) treasurer-general, David Coltart said that party president, Nelson Chamisa, and President Emmerson Mnangagwa should compromise on their hardline positions for dialogue to take place.

Chamisa has rejected to accept Mnangagwa’s legitimacy, while at the same time demanding that talks be mediated by a neutral convenor.

On his part, Mnangagwa has rejected calls for a neutral mediator, preferring the local NPRC convenors. He has also insisted that Chamisa should recognise his legitimacy first, then join the other losing presidential candidates in the 2018 elections in the Political Actors Dialogue platform.

Speaking during the platform, In Conversation with Trevor, Coltart said:

I think both leaders have to park that issue. In other words, Emmerson Mnangagwa mustn’t be insisting that he be recognised.

Nelson Chamisa must say okay, I dispute that, but I am going to park this issue for the national interest so that we can get to the substantive issue because if both stand on their respective positions, it’s going to be difficult for dialogue to be pursued.

The former Education Minister said that dialogue should be primarily between Mnangagwa and Chamisa as they represent the two major political parties from last year’s elections. Said Coltart:

That’s not to say other players can’t have a seat at the table, but in reality, they are not the powerful political players, they don’t deliver the massive constituencies.

So the dialogue has to be primarily between those two parties and two leaders.

But it cannot be a walk-down. Both of the protagonists need a neutral interlocutor who can ensure that there is fair play. A neutral referee or umpire.

More: The Standard