By Rungano Dzikira

The Movement for Democratic Change (MDC-A) frontman, Nelson Chamisa lost his guard in Mutare yesterday, telling an excitable paltry crowd that he sees a power sharing deal with the ruling Zanu PF to pave way for a second Government of National Unity (GNU) as the only solution to the country’s economic problems.

Chamisa and his MDC had previously refuted concerted efforts to join Polad – an inclusive negotiations forum for all political parties – claiming that they had won the 2018 elections.

However, the youthful leader has changed his stance.

“I have opened doors for dialogue in the interests of the people. If Zanu PF doesn’t respond in time, I will close the doors.

“I have told European countries not to assist Zimbabwe until the Mnangagwa Government and we (MDC-A) agree on a number of reforms as conditions for negotiations,” he said.

The MDC leader’s latest comment to insist on reforms as conditions for negotiations comes as an unnecessary complication to further delay a process that should have happened earlier.

Speaking on a telephone interview, political analyst Conwell Muzhanye said Nelson Chamisa’s u-turn on negotiations was self-serving.

“It is beyond doubt that Chamisa’s relevance is waning as Government continues to find ways to stimulate production.

“He could have been waiting for a situation where the economy could have gotten worse such that he could force another GNU. But he is fast realising that it may not happen if he does not push for it.”

Muzhanye said Chamisa’s actions were self-serving and the MDC-A leader was seeking political relevance at the expense of the ordinary Zimbabweans.

A Namibian based political scientist, John Murehwa said Chamisa wanted to ride on the recovering economy.

“In shona, they say kuita mucheka dzafa. The economy is slowly coming out of the doldrums and Chamisa now wants to jump into the ship just to claim credibility ahead of the 2023 polls.

“Iam sure you are aware of the claim that is always made by the likes of (Tendai) Biti that they brought economic stability in 2009 after they joined Zanu PF in governing. They credit themselves for dollarization yet the multi-currency system was introduced by Patrick Chinamasa before GNU,” said Murehwa.

He added: “This is the strategy that Chamisa wants to re-employ. He is already making a campaign trump card ahead of the 2023 plebiscites.”