Zimbabwe Council of Churches calls on MDC-T leaders to unite for the good of the people

4. Consistent with our policy, in September of 2017, the ZCC issued a statement calling for the ruling party and the party in charge of government to address the damaging effects of factional infighting. What happened when amicable ways to resolve these internal disagreements were not found is now part of our national historical record.

5. The existence in our democratic order of vibrant opposition parties like the MDC-T and indeed all other opposition political parties, can help ensure that Zimbabwe remains a true democracy by demonstrating that different ideas can co-exist and that disagreements can be democratically resolved through due internal processes. In the absence of strong democratic parties, Zimbabwe risks sliding into a one-party-state, a situation in which there will be weak checks and balances against possible abuse of power by those in authority. For this reason, leaders in the MDC-T owe it to the nation and its supporters to be guided by the democratic values upon which it was founded. Without recovering this democratic vision, citizens will have limited choices upon which to exercise their right to choose leaders and representatives.

6. The current leadership crisis in the MDC-T can, in fact, be an opportunity to demonstrate values of peaceful co-existence and shared leadership in which leaders collaborate on a win-win basis rather than aiming for individual success above the rest. Unity in the MDC-T and indeed the generality of the opposition politics must transcend ethnic, tribal, racial, sexist, and class distinctions. Our call is indeed in keeping with the Christian tenets that in Christ there is "neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither male nor female" (Galatians 3 verse 28). For the good of the national in this volatile time, opposition parties must send the right signals and play their part in promoting national unity and social cohesion.

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