Battle lines have been drawn, as National Democratic Working Group (NDWG) leader, Job Sikhala forges an alliance with with MDC ‘s Morgan Komichi, to ensure that embattled former Citizens Coalition for Change, Nelson Chamisa’s envisaged political party, New Citizens Movement, faces a stillbirth, the HararePost can report.
Recently, a member of the CCC coordinating committee, who spoke on condition of anonymity following a constituency coordinating meeting in Harare, revealed to this publication that Sikhala had forged a strategic alliance to establish a rival political outfit in order to counter Chamisa’s plans.
“Chamisa is said to have approached Sikhala seeking to work with him to revive a strong comeback. However, we hear that Sikhala has since forged an alliance with Komichi to establish a rival political outfit to counter Chamisa’s plans.
“The move is aimed at consolidating their influence within the opposition and mobilising veteran MDC loyalists and grassroots supporters to resist Chamisa’s political initiative,” he said.
The committee member said Sikhala did not trust Chamisa and blamed him for the collapse of the opposition, adding that the alleged differences could complicate efforts to build a united political movement around the former Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) leader.
He added that Sikhala and Komichi were seeking to rally former MDC supporters against the proposed New Citizens Movement, potentially weakening Chamisa’s efforts to secure support from established opposition networks before launching the party.
“This will definitely weaken Chamisa’s efforts to secure the backing of established opposition networks before launching the party,” he said.
The reported manoeuvres point to renewed contestation over the direction of Zimbabwe’s opposition, with competing political initiatives and leadership disagreements threatening efforts to rebuild cohesive structures following the fragmentation of the CCC.
Chamisa’s proposed party could therefore face an uphill task in securing grassroots support and winning the backing of influential opposition figures.
