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MDC name confusion anathema to democracy
By Crisford
Chogugudza
WHEN the MDC was formed in 1999 there was pomp and fanfare in Zimbabwe
and many people were convinced that the Zanu PF monster machinery was
breathing its last.
Initially, many change-loving Zimbabweans were happy for real opposition to Zanu PF for the very first time with due respect to PF Zapu.
Although there were misgivings as to whether the new party had the wherewithal to unseat Zanu PF from power and set the people free from what many see as post colonial bondage and impoverishment, there was political catharsis at last.
However, events in the past few months unfolded a new era of instability and uncertainty in the MDC ranks following a decision by a group of so called democrats to participate in the widely discredited Senate elections.
Whether participation in the senate elections, or a boycott of them was at the core of the argument only the belligerents know better. The failure by the MDC leadership to resolve the Senate issue led to the breakaway of the powerful "Bulawayo" faction of the party. Suspension and counter suspensions did very little to resolve the stand off and this marked a sad era of not only opposition politics but national politics of peaceful resistance as well.
King Arthur Mutambara's flamboyant entry into the political arena and his timely ascendancy to power in the other MDC faction further complicated the situation of the opposition. The overwhelming consensus of expert opinion was that the two MDC factions needed to sit down, build bridges and move ahead to fight the common enemy.
On the contrary the feuding between the two parties continued much to the disappointment of ordinary cadres who fought hard to build a formidable party which is now facing possible political irrelevance if there is no immediate rescue strategy. Some have now branded the once vibrant opposition party as having been reduced to a talk show -- a stay away party or a mere debating society.
The MDC name confusion is putting more strains to democracy and placing further away any hopes of reclaiming the country for democracy. The same could not be said about six months or so ago when the party was still intact under the leadership of an assertive and buoyant Morgan Tsvangirai. Today the party is operating like Siamese twins whose separation may be done at the expense of the life of the other.
The much talked about congresses did not resolve anything as the best brains of the opposition project are still separated by differences in ideologies, strategy, personality clashes and vision for a future Zimbabwe. It is sad that the congresses gave powerful posts to some less humorous and uninspiring opportunists who may feel threatened by any attempts to merge the two parties. It is not in the best interests of these people to see a united MDC for obvious reasons.
This is a very sad situation and the future looks even grimmer and more ghastly. For those in the Diaspora, a united MDC was at the heart of their political pride and now these people are getting disillusioned although there are some who are still committed but even them choosing which side to support has not been easy. I know some frustrated Zimbabweans here in the UK who have decided to join the labour party instead. By the way as an ethnic minority member of labour, there are a lot of advantages than being part of the current mess and rigmarole of the MDC.
The continued name share in the MDC is very confusing and unnecessary. Conventional wisdom requires the two entities or parties should swallow their pride and unite forces in the face of increasing adversity from a relentless albeit moribund Zanu PF regime. The awkward nature of this name share creates despondency amongst party members some of whom have divided loyalties. The dividends of this name share are increased chaos, leadership denigration and the death of the redemption project. If the two opposition forces can not work together as events in the last couple of weeks seem to suggest, then a formal divorce of the two parties needs to take place as been famously advocated by Bulawayo MDC legislator David Coltart whose loyalty is still not a resolved matter.
I am sure if neutral mediators are found to try and bring the two sides together, the better. It is true to say that a united MDC with King Arthur's largely intellectual wing on one hand and Morgan Tsvangirai's experienced, tried and tested crew on the other would create a formidable opposition almost guaranteed of winning the next elections in Zimbabwe under any circumstances. The big question is whether these two equally powerful leaders, once close allies during the student uprisings of the late eighties, would be able to work together as subordinate or super ordinate to each other. This is the question which needs resolving first.
Failure to agree on a merger as all the indications seem to suggest, it is only logical that one of the two parties stop using the name MDC and assume another name which distinguishes it from the other and start operating as different but complementary forces as was the case with Zanu PF and PF Zapu.
Some wild suggestions of names would include MDC PF, United MDC, MDC Mwenje or Front for Democratic Change (FDC) there is a plethora of names which can be assumed by either of the parties. The longer the confusion takes the better for Zanu PF which even has the luxury of forgiving the Tsholotsho "coup plotters" and recycle them into active politics. The damage that has been caused by this name confusion is enormous irrespective of what some ambitious spokespersons make of the politics of numbers in MDC rallies. Both parties have a chance to establish a strong own identity given the fact that a general election is still 18 to 22 months away even longer should the Zanu PF parliamentary rubberstamp machinery is utilised again to push elections to 2010.
The MDC parties should take lessons from the nationalist parties such as Zanu PF, PF Zapu, ANC, PAC of South Africa and MPLA, UNITA of Angola. These parties had serious ideological and leadership differences and decided to split and the splinter groups became autonomous vibrant parties with an identifiable support base. These parties except PF Zapu are still huge political contenders in their respective countries. The truth of democracy is that it becomes stronger with multiplicity of forces. The more parties they are the better. The most important thing is to coordinate each other's efforts and work towards fighting the common enemy, this may require forming coalitions during and after elections.
The people of Zimbabwe now want the captains of the two opposition parties to show leadership and move their parties in the right direction. Lessons from other budding democracies such as Kenya and Zambia will prove the point that a divided opposition does not work against the seasoned and experienced parties such as Zanu PF who are prepared to use every election gimmickry in the book to retain power even if it requires them to infiltrate the opposition and cause further mayhem.
The next few months are crucial to both leaders of MDC parties to either formally divorce from each other, move towards a formidable merger or hand Zanu PF another controversial presidential term that will almost relegate opposition politics to political Siberia and render their existence only a mere academic expression.
My last advice to the two leaders and their spokesmen who make miscalculated statements sometimes is to desist from the politics of character assassinations but respect one another irrespective of differences of opinion. Time and again we have seen in other African countries that those who set out to liberate their people end up fighting among themselves claiming innocent victims, sowing seeds of confusion and sending mixed messages to the people.
George Ayittey, the acclaimed Ghanaian writer once said "if we African liberators cannot get our acts together, then let the oppressors stay". As for the MDC supporters patience pays, give your leaders time to resolve the impasse, push them to act if you need to. For those cynical of opposition leadership, rise and participate in the peaceful struggle for it is the only way you can be counted when redemption comes. Like what one Greek philosopher once said, "the penalty of not participating in active politics is that you get ruled by your inferiors".
Above all, people need to be careful, peaceful in their approach and avoid politics of hero worshipping or personality cult. This has a danger of replacing tyranny with despotism if left unchecked.
Food for thought.
Crisford Chogugudza
is a political commentator based in North London, England. He can be
contacted at crisford02@yahoo.co.uk
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