Categories: Stories

Biti says proposed Zimbabwe opposition coalition has no leader yet

Former Finance Minister and People’s Democratic Party leader Tendai Biti says the proposed coalition of Zimbabwe’s opposition parties has not agreed on a leader yet and any one of the leaders of the 15 “serious” parties involved in the talks can become a leader.

According to The Herald, he told the Bulawayo Press Club that the parties were serious about the talks because “everyone understands that none of us can defeat ZANU-PF on our own, we have to create a team”.

Biti broke away from Morgan Tsvangirai’s Movement for Democratic Change in 2014 over leadership differences after Tsvangirai had lost the presidential elections for the second time having pulled out of the second round of the 2008 elections which he had won in the first round.

Tsvangirai’s MDC-T insists that he should lead any coalition because he has the necessary support.

His supporters too feel Tsvangirai should lead any coalition. Some even argue that there is no need for a coalition. Other parties should just join MDC-T.

Zimbabwe is holding elections next year with opinion polls showing that Mugabe is likely to win despite squabbles within his party.

Biti said though a leader had not yet been decided, opposition parties were serious about the coalition talks.

“People are finding each other. There is sincerity in the discussions that have been taking place,” he said.

As for the leader, he said:  “I’m very hopeful and I think when every leader goes into that room, they should accept that the next leader can be the leader. Any candidate in the coalition is a saleable candidate.

“Morgan Tsvangirai is a saleable candidate, Joice Mujuru is a saleable candidate, Welshman Ncube (MDC) is a saleable candidate, Tendai Biti is a saleable candidate and can lead the coalition.

“We are going to choose, we are going to have discussions around leadership and I don’t think that the leadership is going to bog us down.”

(60 VIEWS)

This post was last modified on %s = human-readable time difference 7:10 am

Charles Rukuni

The Insider is a political and business bulletin about Zimbabwe, edited by Charles Rukuni. Founded in 1990, it was a printed 12-page subscription only newsletter until 2003 when Zimbabwe's hyper-inflation made it impossible to continue printing.

Recent Posts

ZiG loses steam, falls against US dollar for five consecutive days

The Zimbabwe Gold fell against the United States dollar for five consecutive days from Monday…

November 22, 2024

Indian think tank says Starlink is a wolf in sheep’s clothing

An Indian think tank has described Starlink, a satellite internet service provider which recently entered…

November 18, 2024

ZiG firms against US dollar for 10 days running but people still do not have confidence in the currency

Zimbabwe’s new currency, the Zimbabwe Gold (ZiG), firmed against the United States dollars for 10…

November 16, 2024

Zimbabwe among the top countries with the widest gap between the rich and poor

Zimbabwe is among the top 30 countries in the world with the widest gap between…

November 14, 2024

Can the ZiG sustain its rally against the US dollar?

Zimbabwe’s battered currency, the Zimbabwe Gold, which was under attack until the central bank devalued…

November 10, 2024

Will Mnangagwa go against the trend in the region?

Plans by the ruling Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front to push President Emmerson Mnangagwa to…

October 22, 2024