Zimbabwe’s Opposition MDC Rejects Mnangagwa Talks, Seeks External Mediator – Reuters

By MacDonald Dzirutwe

HARARE – Zimbabwe’s main opposition party has declined an invitation to engage in talks with President Emmerson Mnangagwa aimed at addressing the ongoing political and economic crisis. The opposition insists that any dialogue with the president must be facilitated by an independent external mediator.

Under pressure due to the worsening economy and recent crackdowns on anti-government demonstrations, Mnangagwa extended invitations to 23 opposition leaders to convene and establish terms for national dialogue.

The Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) stated that its participation in the discussions hinges on the involvement of either the United Nations, the African Union, or the Southern African Development Community as mediators. In a letter responding to Mnangagwa’s invitation, the MDC emphasized that the dialogue should be orchestrated by a neutral party, rather than one of the conflicting sides.

The MDC argues that the root of Zimbabwe’s issues lies in the presidential elections of the previous year. Despite Mnangagwa’s victory, the MDC has accused his party of electoral manipulation, a claim he firmly denies.

Joice Mujuru, a prominent opposition figure and former vice president under Robert Mugabe, also opted not to attend the meeting, although representatives from smaller parties were present at the state house in Harare.

In an address prior to the talks, Mnangagwa urged his opponents to recognize his election victory and called for the lifting of U.S. sanctions imposed on ruling party members and government officials. He stated, "Peace can never be imposed from outside but must emerge from our own society," referring to the MDC’s call for an external mediator.

Zimbabwe has faced disputed elections since 2000, coinciding with an economic downturn. However, in 2009, a unity government formed by the ruling ZANU-PF and the MDC brought some stability to the country.

Last July’s election, the first since Mugabe’s resignation following a coup in 2017, was seen as a chance for Zimbabwe to break free from international isolation and stimulate economic recovery. Instead, the results further divided the nation.

Human rights organizations have reported ongoing harassment of opposition activists, including nighttime raids by armed individuals in police and military uniforms. Security forces have denied these allegations.

Recent footage emerged showing a soldier assaulting women in a neighborhood while another individual threatened young men with a firearm.

The army’s Major General Nyikayaramba defended the military’s actions, stating that they employed appropriate force against demonstrators and that no one had reported any abuses by the military.

The Zimbabwe Human Rights NGO Forum noted that at least 17 people have died since the protests in mid-January, despite police reports claiming only three fatalities.

In Harare, a strike initiated by public sector teachers for better pay entered its second day, with some teachers refusing to work while others reported to school but abstained from teaching. Union representatives accused security agents of using intimidation tactics against them.