Zimbabwe’s largest opposition party, the Citizens Coalitions for Change (CCC), has called for a peace pledge that should be adhered to by all stakeholders before the country holds elections next year.
This follows a resurgence in cases of politically motivated violence across the country since the 26 March by-elections.
CCC deputy spokesperson Gift “Ostallos” Siziba on Monday told NewsDay that the peace pledge will go a long way in creating a peaceful environment during the general elections. Siziba said:
Our president Nelson Chamisa is proposing a national peace pledge targeting different stakeholders who will be involved in electoral processes. We are targeting everyone including observers and electoral watchdogs.
However, ZANU PF spokesperson Christopher Mutsvangwa said CCC must first concede defeat in the 2018 presidential election before talking about peace pledges. He said:
As ZANU PF, we have always loved peace. On CCC’s suggestions of a national peace pledge, I don’t think we will be part of it unless they concede defeat in the 2018 Presidential elections — that is the only sticking point. They should just concede defeat.
CCC leader Nelson Chamisa, who was the MDC Alliance presidential candidate in the 2018 elections, has steadfastly refused to accept his defeat, claiming that the election was rigged in ZANU PF’s favour.
Even after the Constitutional Court bench unanimously ruled there was no evidence of rigging, Chamisa has refused to recognise President Emmerson Mnangagwa as legitimate.