ElectionsZW: Suspend elections, let’s put GNU, says Chikanga
Rebuild Zimbabwe Party leader Everisto Chikanga, says his party has no energy for elections as they are only serving to bring more suffering to the people of Zimbabwe. He says he favours a government of national unity (GNU)
Zimbabwe is due to go for by-elections any time soon to fill the vacancies in both Parliament and local authorities.
The by-elections are due to party recalls and the death of legislators and councillors.
Besides the by-elections, the country is preparing for the 2023 general elections.
ZEC has already set the ball rolling in terms of election preparation as it is meeting with stakeholders on the issue of delimitation.
However, in an interview, Chikanga said he foresees a disputed outcome in 2023 and massive violence and he will not endorse such polls.
‘’Honestly, as it stands as of now, we have no energy for the 2023 elections and even by-elections. My team is seeing a disputed electoral outcome come 2023.
‘’Judging by the most recent engagements between the MDC Alliance led by Advocate (Nelson) Chamisa and Zanu PF, we are seeing that violence will be unavoidable thereby resulting in further hurt and divided Zimbabwe.
‘’And unavoidably, we will most likely experience worse suffering as more sanctions will likely be imposed and tightened against Zimbabwe, and we have also assessed that there is a possibility of civil unrest due to economic distresses and frustrations if elections are held under the current conditions.
‘’Therefore, my party does not want to endorse an election that continues the suffering of the people of Zimbabwe by participating in the 2023 elections,’’ he said.
Let’s build bridges with dialogue first
According to Chikanga, there is a need to build bridges first and unite people before there can be talk of elections.
He said his party is supporting efforts towards dialogue as the only vehicle that can move the country forward.
‘’So, our way forward (1) right now our position is supporting dialogue. As Zimbabweans, we need to find each other first. We need to close the chasm that divides. We need to build bridges, we need to do the work of bringing harmony among us.
‘’We need to defuse the sources of our differences and agree on a framework and conditions which universally protect our right of self-determination, and most importantly, establish agreed means and ways of preserving and protecting our sovereignty and national interest.
‘’At the core of our political disputation in Zimbabwe are these issues, issues to do with the right of self-determination, preserving and protecting our sovereignty and national interest. Only through Dialogue will these issues be clarified and understood.
‘’Without dialogue, Zimbabwe will continue to move backwards. 2) Based on the above position, our party is actually advocating for the suspension of elections. In place of having a government by the elections, we are advocating for the formation of a government of national unity so as to give dialogue time to iron out our differences.
‘’Elections in Zimbabwe are not producing good results for all of us. Only conflict and disputation are the outcomes. So what purpose is there in having elections that are no good for the country?
ElectionsZW: Suspend elections, let’s put GNU, says Chikanga
