Breakdown of peace leaves us all losers: Chamisa

OPPOSITION politician  Nelson Chamisa has reiterated his commitment to a peaceful solution to Zimbabwe’s political stalemate including engaging President Emmerson Mnangagwa as meaningful progress was impossible on the back of disunity and successive disputed national processes including contested elections.

Chamisa said Zimbabwe was too beautiful and precious to be destroyed by flames of political disputes under his watch.

“Our beautiful country can never progress on the back of disunity and successive disputed national processes including contested elections.

We are acutely aware of the urgency of this matter and more importantly that there can never be any talk of 2028 or a viable and stable future for this country without resolving August 2023, the broken past, and disputed politics.

Chamisa said that there can never be any talk of future elections or a viable and stable future for this country without resolving the disputed August 2023 poll.

“It remains our hope and indeed your hope that all these concerns will be addressed with urgency and seriousness.

He said the peaceful route he had taken to seek all available remedies to resolve national issues was not a sign of weakness or a lack of other ideas and means but a strict commitment to amicably resolve the conflict.

“We have committed to a peaceful resolution of disputes and intend to exhaust all available peaceful remedies. As you are all aware, millions of you agree with this approach.

“On my part I am doing everything necessary, to the extent of God’s Will, to seek a lasting solution to the perennial challenges affecting our beloved country.”

He said has engaged all the stakeholders including the traditional and business leadership, civil society, political parties and the diplomatic community.

“In particular, I have also sought the mediatory role of the church leadership to help resolve the disputed elections and contested national processes, albeit, with handicapped progress.

 I have even numerously efforted engagement with the other presidential contender and he is aware of our point of dispute and the proposed way forward. We have also developed and shared our roadmap with all key stakeholders, which paper we are ready to make public in due course. 

“I therefore urge you to take an active role in peacefully determining the destiny of our country. I exhort you, fellow citizens, the intercessors, and the church, to continue to pray for a smooth and peaceful transition in our country. Stay the course, hold the fort, hold fast and stand involved. Stand ready. Change is upon us.”