Chamisa in a fix as ZANU-PF says he must recognise Mnangagwa before any talks

Movement for Democratic Change leader Nelson Chamisa is in a fix. The world wants him to negotiate with President Emmerson Mnangagwa to help end the crisis in the country but his supporters don’t.

Mnangagwa, genuinely or not, has told the world that he intends to formally recognise the leader of the opposition in Parliament but there is a condition.

Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front Secretary for Legal Affairs Paul Mangwana says, Chamisa has to recognise Mnangagwa first before any talks.

“We are trying to start meetings once Chamisa clears the confusion in his head,” Mangwana told Newsday.

“The confusion relates to accepting parliamentary results and not accepting Presidential results when elections were happening at the same time. His Members of Parliament have been sworn in as MPs and taken up their seats in Parliament and he continues to say he doesn’t recognise the presidential elections.”

Chamisa has refused to recognise Mnangagwa’s victory despite losing the case at the Constitutional Court. He refused to attend Mnangagwa’s inauguration or the official opening of Parliament.

His more than 110 legislators who include his top lieutenants- Elias Mudzuri, Morgen Komichi, Happymore Chidziva, Douglas Mwonzora, Thabitha Khumalo, Prosper Mutseyami and Paurina Mpariwa- were sworn in.

Although they walked out of Parliament when Mnangagwa officially opened the ninth session and presented his State of the Nation Address, they have been attending parliamentary sessions in both houses- the National Assembly and the Senate.

Because of his continued argument that he won the elections on 30 July, Chamisa will find it difficult to back out as this will be viewed by his supporters as selling out because Mnangagwa has already announced to the world that the Leader of the Opposition in Parliament will receive a salary and perks.

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