Chamisa, Biti, Sikhala: Mwonzora Urges Forgiveness for United Opposition

MDC leader Douglas Mwonzora says he wants to hold talks with key opposition figures, including former Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) leaders Nelson Chamisa, Tendai Biti and Job Sikhala, as part of efforts to form a formidable political force ahead of the 2028 general elections. Other opposition figures Mwonzora said he intends to engage include Linda Masarira, Welshman Ncube, Elias Mudzuri and Morgen Komichi. However, Mwonzora’s call for forgiveness and unity is likely to be met with scepticism from some opposition leaders and supporters who accuse him of contributing to the destruction of a once formidable opposition under the MDC. Addressing a press conference in Harare on Tuesday, Mwonzora stated that he would arrange a meeting with Chamisa and other former MDC leaders and activists as part of a broader project to rebuild a strong opposition. “We want to build a formidable opposition, and for that to happen, we cannot have small political parties. We must be able to forgive one another,” Mwonzora said. “If we could sit down with Zanu PF in 2008 after it had murdered more than 300 of our finest youngsters, why can we not meet with Biti, Komichi or Chamisa?” Mwonzora also announced that the MDC was declaring a “general amnesty” for former members and supporters who wish to return to the party. “We have decided to open the doors for every person who wants to come back to the MDC. However, we will not allow a hostile takeover of our party,” he said. Mwonzora presided over the recall of dozens of opposition Members of Parliament and councillors from Parliament and local authorities, a move widely viewed as having benefited Zanu PF by weakening the opposition in key institutions. The recalls plunged the once-powerful MDC into a prolonged crisis and ultimately forced Chamisa to abandon the party brand, leading to the formation of the Citizens Coalition for Change in early 2022. While CCC went on to dominate opposition politics, Mwonzora’s MDC struggled to regain public support and electoral traction. The party that once mobilised millions of voters under the late Morgan Tsvangirai has since been reduced to a marginal political force.