Political analysts have advised MDC Alliance leader Nelson Chamisa to change the party’s strategy to avoid walloping at the hands of Zanu PF in 2023.
Respected University of Zimbabwe Political Science lecturer, Eldred Masunungure, told Daily News that Chamisa should abandon his confrontational tactics as Zanu PF are masters of the dark arts. He said:
The MDC Alliance leader should search for a viable solution through non-combative means given the nature of the ruling party.
Confrontational battles are its area of specialisation and one does not walk into a lion’s den and expect to come out unscathed.
There is a need for a serious paradigm shift in the opposition’s approach because they cannot afford to be blind to the reality of a vicious response to confrontation by Zanu PF.
If he hopes for an all-inclusive dialogue, it is only possible if he (Chamisa) discards the strategy of confrontation and uses persuasion by dropping the legitimacy demand as a sign of goodwill.
Renowned Professor of World Politics at the University of London’s School of Oriental and African Studies, Stephen Chan, urged Chamisa to rebrand the MDC Alliance. Said Chan:
You cannot confront Zanu PF and at the same time confront the other MDC, complaining that you are the real MDC … a situation of circular futility arises.
He (Chamisa) needs to rebrand his party, ensure that there is national dialogue along with the issue of reforms by engaging Zanu PF without necessarily being combative.
I hate to say this, especially as many people think I am overly critical of him but, in fact, I extend my admiration to him, for he has great courage.
However, it seems he uses exactly the same confrontational strategy that he used as a student leader.
Above all, he needs to concentrate on fighting for by-elections for those seats lost by his followers and setting out alternative detailed policies, not just visions and sound-bites…