By Staff Writer
The MDC President has responded to the invitation by President Emmerson Mnangagwa to all candidates who participated in the Presidential Election of 30 July 2018 to a meeting to discuss a framework for dialogue and interaction.
Posting on his microblogging site Twitter MDC President Nelson Chamisa dismissed the dialogue invitation as a mere game.
“DIALOGUE NOT GAMES. We have a political crisis arising out of a disputed and rigged Presidential election result in Zimbabwe. The Presidency is disputed. We need genuine dialogue under a credible Convener and mediator to solve this crisis. Stop citizens’ abuses, beatings and arrest,” said Chamisa.
Another 2018 election Presidential candidate Dr. Noah Manyika of Build Zimbabwe Party downplayed the invitation as he sets preconditions for a meaningful dialogue to take place.
“In my view, real and meaningful dialogue that will lead to change we desperately need in our country can only happen if the people wrongly detained have been released and the army is withdrawn completely from the streets and from manning roadblocks,” Dr Manyika responded.
“I don’t think the President has created the right conditions for dialogue, something that is his power to do so. I will attend this meeting to hear if he is now prepared to do so and will only be prepared and will only be prepared to joining any continuing dialogue if this is clearly the case,” he added.
Political analysts have dismissed the invitation as a public relations stunt ahead of SADC and AU summit. One such analyst Dr. Pedzisayi Ruhanya said, “There’s the AU meeting coming next week and ED wants to use the dialogue gathering to hoodwink SADC and AU that there’s at least some talks to sort out the mess”
Majority of the political parties that ED invited to his FACEPOWDER DIALOGUE have endorsed him as leader, see nothing wrong with rights violations, or their members are violated. It is Adv. Nelson Chamisa and MDCA that matters more in the dispute, 2.4million followers is no joke” he added.
Permanent Secretary for Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Nick Mangwana said, “Zimbabweans are expecting selfless leadership from all those at the front of political parties. There is an expectation by the people that political leadership and people centredness will prevail over any benefits that may be derived from posturing and grandstanding”
King Collins a Twitter blogger said, “ZANU should be the last ones talking of people centeredness after weeks of unwarranted citizens’ abuse and senseless mass arrests. Any leader would prioritize the release of political prisoners and the return of soldiers to their barracks. You can’t have “talks” with that looming”
