Chamisa ready for 2023 elections as CCC celebrates anniversary

HARARE – Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) leader Nelson Chamisa claims that despite frequent arrests of its lawmakers and supporters, the party will still take part in the general elections that will take place later this year.

Chamisa said that the CCC had “moved mountains” in its first year of existence in a message delivered Tuesday to mark the party’s anniversary.

“In one year, you have excelled. Change champions, you moved mountains. Because God is in it you won 19 out of 28 parliamentary seats, and 89 out of 149 councillors in by-elections. Thank you for your solidarity and support for believing. You have supported us against all odds. A new Great Zimbabwe.”

– Nelson Chamisa (Citizens Coalition for Change, President)

Chamisa added that CCC wants to “seal the presidency” in the upcoming elections while obtaining two-thirds in parliament and choose both Speaker of Parliament and President of the Senate will be a priority.

“We must attain a majority in local authorities. Citizens, let’s do it again,” he added.

In the past, the CCC leader had declared that his party would not take part in the elections in the absence of real electoral reforms, but it now appears that he has changed his stance.

On January 24 of last year, the young opposition leader established the CCC after months of conflict with Douglas Mwonzora over leadership of the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC).

Mwonzora had taken over the party after teaming up with other MDC members to oppose Chamisa‘s rise to the position following the passing of the party’s founding leader Morgan Tsvangirai in February 2018.

In the end, Chamisa lost the MDC Alliance name to Mwonzora as well as the party’s Morgan Richard Tsvangirai House headquarters, party money under the Political Parties Finances Act.

Later, he united with his unhappy MDC comrades under the CCC banner, which has adopted the color yellow as its logo.