Mutambara calls for democratic forces to cooperate

By Violet Gonda
10 January 2007

Arthur Mutambara, leader of one faction of the opposition MDC, has called on progressive forces in Zimbabwe to work together to fight the Mugabe regime. The opposition leader said people are suffering and conditions have become so unbearable that the democratic movement must find ways that are effective in terms of fighting Robert Mugabe.

Mutambara said Mugabe is very strong and there is no way one political party or civic organisation can succeed in effectively challenging him. He explained that Mugabe is planning to extend his misrule from 2008 to 2010, which will provide a unique opportunity for opposition groups to build a national consensus of revolution in Zimbabwe. The opposition leader said this can only be done if people worked together.

We were unable to get a comment from the other MDC faction but the Star newspaper in South Africa quotes Nelson Chamisa, spokesperson for the Tsvangirai MDC saying; "Mutambara is part of the problem in this country, yet he talks of unity." Chamisa was also reported saying; “His call for unity is flawed and misplaced.”

Mutambara responded; “I think I should leave the people of Zimbabwe to judge the wisdom of those remarks. Right now people have no money to send their kids to school. There is no mealie-meal, there is no bread and there is no fuel. There is a national economic crisis. I think all Zimbabweans agree the problem in Zimbabwe is Robert Mugabe and Zanu Pf and any efforts that are spent fighting other people who are trying to bring about a difference in our country are to be condemned.”