No easing of opposition's crisis

Divisions within Zimbabwe's opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) appeared to deepen this week after the party's management committee, known as the 'Top Six', failed to overcome their differences. The two factions - split over the issue of participating in senate elections later this month - gave very divergent statements after the meeting. MDC president Morgan Tsvangirai's spokesman, William Bango, told IRIN the party leadership had called for a meeting of its supreme national council this Saturday, where Tsvangirai would report on the state of the party, preparations for an up-coming congress, and propose steps out of the crisis. MDC deputy secretary general, Gift Chimanikire, gave a different reflection of the talks, and called for a boycott of Saturday's meeting. "Tsvangirai does not have powers to unilaterally convene a meeting. If this illegal meeting takes place, the MDC will not recognise any resolution that is agreed upon. Any resolution emerging from such a fraudulent process will be totally lacking in legitimacy," Chimanikire told IRIN. The crisis in the opposition followed Tsvangirai overruling a national council decision to participate in the senate election. He argued the MDC's position had been to ignore the 26 November poll on the grounds that it would be a waste of tax-payers money, and the senior chamber would be dominated by the ruling party. "By refusing to accept the council's resolution on participation in senate elections, the president violated the party's constitution, he placed himself above, not just the council but the constitution," said Chimanikire. When asked how the dispute could be resolved, Chimanikire said: "In the circumstances, all organs of the party remain bound by the national council's resolution to participate in the senate elections." That decision was based on the arguement that a boycott would hand over MDC-controlled constituencies to the ruling ZANU-PF. Divisions in the MDC continued this week after Tsvangirai suspended controversial Member of Parliament (MP), Job Sikhala. Sikhala made sensational claims last week that differences within the party's leadership was a result of a squabble over US $2.5 million allegedly donated by the governments of Ghana, Nigeria and Taiwan. The accusation was made in the state-controlled newspaper, The Herald, and were immediately dismissed by the three governments. The maverick politician subsequently retracted his allegations. Under Zimbabwean law, it is illegal for political parties to receive foreign funding, and despite Sikhala's retraction, the police have said they will investigate his claims. Police spokesman, Wayne Bvudzijena told IRIN: "The fact that the MP has withdrawn his statements will not change the fact that the allegations have to be investigated." In his letter suspending Sikhala, Tsvangirai said: "Your unsubstantiated allegations in the press have left the party's integrity severely damaged. The allegations have caused unnecessary diplomatic anxiety and no doubt bring the name of the party into disrepute." The party's national council is to make a decision on the MP's political future.