Freeman Chari confirm why SADC and AU did not deny Zanu PF political legitimacy irrespective of damning election reports.

 Freeman Chari, a prominent United States-based Zimbabwean opposition activist, has voiced his concerns over the direction of the Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC), particularly criticizing former leader Nelson Chamisa for personalizing the movement through his doctrine of "Strategic Ambiguity."

Chari, who was involved in the formation of the opposition party, claims that when CCC was established, there was a consensus on the necessity for a clear constitution and organizational structures. However, he argues that Chamisa's focus on Strategic Ambiguity undermined these initial agreements, leading to internal turmoil and ultimately contributing to the party's challenges.

In a series of posts on X (formerly Twitter), Chari shared his perspective, reflecting on the early days of the movement and the disappointments that followed.

"When CCC was formed in my conversations with NC [Nelson Chamisa], a number of us said to him, we will defend you with our lives out there, but in private, we will tell you the things that need to be fixed so we don't fall into the same predicament we did with MDC-Alliance," Chari wrote.

He continued, "Top was the need for a clear constitution with clearly articulated roles. I believe a draft constitution was made. Secondly, it was about structure, and I remember giving him a document that had an alternative structure which I worked on with Dr. Magaisa. Lastly, it was about branding, etc."

Despite these initial agreements, Chari lamented that the principle of Strategic Ambiguity—essentially leaving key aspects of the movement's operation unclear or open to interpretation—took precedence. This, he claims, left the party vulnerable to exploitation by opportunists, particularly among the Harare crew, who ultimately distanced themselves from Chamisa after the election.

He also expressed frustration over how the party handled elections and candidate selection, referring to some of the decisions made, such as the controversial "bereka mwana" incident, as mistakes that should have been avoided.

"What pained me more was that we had worked so hard for two years to build this, but we had no way or leg to defend ourselves. Anyone could see our potential flaws, but they were overlooked," Chari remarked.

Chari also criticized Chamisa's leadership after the election, noting the failure to manage the party's MPs effectively. "When NC failed to reign in the few MPs we had, I could see we were sitting ducks," he said, reflecting on the internal weakness that became apparent after the elections.

He concluded with a warning about the future of the CCC, expressing fear that without self-reflection and a willingness to address past mistakes, the party would continue to repeat the same cycles of disappointment and failure.

"I fear without the willingness to retrospect and introspect, we will go round and round in circles with multiple heartbreaks. I am not willing to go through that again!" Chari asserted.

Chari's comments have added fuel to the ongoing debate about leadership within opposition circles in Zimbabwe, particularly regarding the leadership style of Nelson Chamisa and the effectiveness of the CCC in presenting a united front to challenge the ruling party. His concerns reflect a deeper internal struggle within opposition politics in the country, as activists and supporters continue to seek a way forward.

Let me say, I for one am impressed by Freeman Chari’s courage and willingness to talk openly about what went wrong in CCC. In a country where the norm is to sweep everything under the carpet and join the rat race for position being candid is a very rare quality indeed. 

I was disappoint that Team Pachedu failed to produce their own report on the 2023 elections some after the results were declared last year. Chari and company only declared their findings this year, a years after the election was done and dusted. I home some day soon they will explain why they did not release their report earlier.

Many people have failed to understand why SADC and AU had not denied Zanu PF political legitimacy as they did in 2008 although they had both condemned the 2023 election process as flawed and illegal. The willingness by the winning CCC candidates to take up their gravy train seats in parliament, senate and local authority even in the light of the damning SADC and AU election reports pulled the rug from under the regional and continental bodies to deny Zanu PF legitimacy. 

"When NC failed to reign in the few MPs we had, I could see we were sitting ducks,” remarked Chari. He was not the only to pick this, Margaret Dongo did the same in an interview with Blessing Mhlanga on HStv FreeTalk. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t4rJ08hYJHk&list=LL

Some people loath looking at themselves in the mirror and so have repeated the same mistakes over and over again. 

Indeed, real quality leaders welcome the opportunity to retrospect and introspect, buffoon hate it because they have nothing of substance to offer.