Mutambara launches charm offensive

Mutambara launches charm offensive

• Statement by Prof Arthur Mutambara

• MDC receives $8 billion from government

• Mutambara 'not for turning'

• Mutambara set to be new MDC leader

By Staff Reporter

PROFESSOR Arthur Mutambara, the man tipped to take over as leader of Zimbabwe's main opposition Movement for Democratic Change launched a charm offensive Monday by urging all opposition forces to unite.

In his first public statement since returning to Zimbabwe at the weekend to contest for MDC leadership, Mutambara placed economic revival at the centre of his message.

"As Zimbabwean citizens," Mutambara said, "it is part of our civic duty and obligation to develop political and economic solutions to the country’s current problems."

The MDC has plit into two opposing factions, with one led by Morgan Tsvangirai and the other by Gibson Sibanda. Both claim legiticimacy and have set up parallel structures.

In a carefully crafted statement, Mutambara -- who has settled on Sibanda's faction -- outlined his vision, inviting those who agree with his ideas to join him.

He said: "There are three critical success factors that define the way forward, (namely) reunification of all democratic forces fighting for change in the country, the need to refocus and energize the vision, values and strategy of these forces (and) the development of a comprehensive macro-economic blueprint that resolves the economic crisis."

Mutambara, a scientist and professor of robotics and mechatronics, said Zimbabweans had "witnessed with distress" the split in the MDC.

He added: "For the past four months, the party top leadership has failed to unite the ranks of the movement. As the party goes towards two separate congresses, the infusion of new leadership, untainted by current disagreements, is imperative to facilitate the reunification process.

"It is in this context that I define the framework of my entry into Zimbabwean politics. As a member of the MDC, I am prepared to work with anybody who shares the above terms of reference."

Also on Monday, the faction led by Sibanda moved swiftly to reject claims that Mutambara's arrival was causing rifts within its ranks. This followed comments by the party's deputy secretary general Gift Chimanikire, claiming Mutambara was an "outsider". Chimanikire has been prodding his colleagues to back him as leader.

A statement issued by Professor Welshman Ncube, the party's secretary general following a meeting of the MDC’s Management Committee and attended by Chimanikire, denied there was a crisis.

Said Ncube: "The Management Committee noted the media reports on the supposed divisions within the party in connection with the party’s Presidential candidates. The Management Committee unanimously acknowledged and noted that article 4.6 B of the party constitution guarantees every member of the party a right to stand for and, “if elected hold any office" in the party.

"In view of this provision, the Management Committee noted the right of all members of the party including the Deputy Secretary General, Gift Chimanikre and Professor Arthur Mutambara to present themselves to Congress for election.

"In the circumstances, the Management Committee reiterated and reaffirmed the right of all members of the party to present themselves for nomination for election to the office of the President."

Tsvangirai's group plans to hold its own congress later in March.
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