Financial Gazette
Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) leader Morgan Tsvangirai has poured cold water on prospects of a speedy reunification with a splinter faction of the party despite a congress resolution that the fractious party works “for the unity of all genuine cadres to the struggle.”
The former trade unionist, who was reinvigorated by the support of over 15 800 delegates who attended his camp’s congress and reaffirmed his leadership at the weekend, appears eager to lead the MDC in a war of attrition against his former colleagues now led by polished academic Arthur Mutambara. But analysts have warned that only a united opposition can dislodge the ruling party from government. ZANU PF, which has remained intact despite being driven by factionalism, has further consolidated its grip on power since the MDC’s October 12 split. Former University of Zimbabwe student leader Mutambara has made overtures for the reunification of the party, which split right down the middle following the emergence of sharp differences over participation in the November 2005 senate elections. Hopes for a détente were raised last Sunday when resolutions read out by newly elected party secretary general Tendai Biti did not include the expulsion of Gibson Sibanda, Welshman Ncube, Gift Chimanikire, Gertrude Stevenson, Paul Themba Nyathi and a host of MDC Members of Parliament who have thrown their weight behind the splinter faction. It had been speculated that the omission of the expulsion resolutions had left the door open for re-engagement between the two factions. The party had, prior to the reading of the resolutions, passed a resolution to expel Sibanda, Ncube, Stevenson and Chimanikire, while giving a 14-day ultimatum to all ‘rebel’ MPs to submit themselves to the party’s disciplinary process. Failure to do so would lead to expulsion, the congress resolved. “What I know is congress resolved that they were dismissed from the MDC. We wish them well wherever they are. In fact I prefer not to talk about them,” declared Tsvangirai as he categorically ruled out unity between the two factions. The opposition leader, President Robert Mugabe’s most serious challenger since independence in 1980, has, however, sent conflicting signals over the contentious subject. In his opening remarks on Saturday, a conciliatory Tsvangirai magnanimously acknowledged the pioneering work of his estranged colleagues. “Allow me, congress, to note the work done by my colleagues who have chosen not to be with us today, but who pioneered and contributed to the growth of the MDC and this democracy project together with us for years. We say to you all: Thank you for your contribution to this struggle. Thank you for your courage. Thank you for risking life and limb to try and rebuild Zimbabwe. We have not forgotten that contribution. You taught us valuable lessons.” If Tsvangirai sounded valedictory in his message to his former comrades, it is perhaps because he believes the party’s split was, as he said in the same speech, a “temporary diversion.” He seems to view his rivals in the other MDC camp as inconsequential comrades who have fallen by the wayside and can be packed off nonchalantly. “I am happy to note that we have dealt with this temporary diversion by surrendering the party back to you today. You are the rightful owners of the MDC. The choice is up to you. “You have to take corrective measures and sort out the leadership squabbles at the top,” Tsvangirai thundered to applause. However, when he stood up to make his acceptance speech and formally introduce the new leadership after Sunday’s elections, Tsvangirai said the new leadership was tasked with establishing unity within the party, saying: “These men and women have the responsibility to reunite the MDC.” Political commentator John Makumbe said Tsvangirai’s attitude towards his rivals had clearly hardened after the weekend congress. “The attitude seems to have hardened. Tsvangirai’s camp has demonstrated that they may not have money, but they have the support of the membership. “It could be a bit difficult to reconcile the two, unless Mutambara gets off his high horse and admits that Morgan is the president of the MDC. Mutambara will have to work with Morgan as a regular member of the party,” Makumbe said. Takura Zhangazha of the Media Institute of Southern Africa said the fact that the weekend congress had strengthened Tsvangirai’s hand meant prospects for reunification with the Mutambara faction were dimmer. “Tsvangirai’s faction feels triumphant. Any potential for reunification might arise if the other faction succumbs to the dictates of the Tsvangirai faction, but they are still defiant and have resolved to go it alone. “The differences are too sharp and they are personal, not based on principle,” Zhangazha said. “They are going to fight each other, but that’s more like lofty politics and we will see legal challenges which, however, will play into ZANU PF’s hands.” Dave Coltart, the legal brains behind the MDC over the past six years, has proposed an amicable divorce to avoid a protracted court process. “What deeply concerns me at present is the attitude, which appears to be adopted by both sides that only their faction is the legitimate MDC. I have also been concerned by the intolerance displayed by both sides towards each other; it appears that both sides refuse to recognise that the other side has the right to exist. “If the vying claims to legitimacy are not settled by mediation they will have to be settled in the courts. If the Zimbabwean courts are entrusted with the role of settling these issues that in itself will play directly into the hands of the Mugabe regime,” Coltart wrote in letters to Tsvangirai and Sibanda last month. He has also warned against the expulsion of the MDC’s MPs by either faction, saying this would precipitate by-elections each camp could scarcely afford.