Jameson Timba, acting as the de facto administrator for the Citizens’ Coalition for Change (CCC), has issued a challenge to leaders of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) to address the contested outcome of Zimbabwe’s 2023 general elections decisively.
Timba’s call comes ahead of SADC’s annual summit scheduled for August, to be held in Zimbabwe.
The CCC faction aligned with former leader Nelson Chamisa maintains that last year’s elections were manipulated in favor of the ruling Zanu-PF party, a sentiment echoed by both local and international observer missions.
Speaking to journalists after the conclusion of a CCC National Assembly meeting in Harare last week, Timba labeled the election outcome a “farce” and “illegitimate,” urging SADC to address the matter during the upcoming summit.
“The election outcome, condemned by the global community and our region alike, did not reflect the will of the Zimbabwean people. It was a sham, and its legitimacy is in question.
“The assembly also unanimously agreed, considering the upcoming SADC summit in August, that SADC should take a clear stance on the outcome of the August 2023 elections,” Timba asserted.
He accused state institutions, particularly the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC), of obstructing citizens’ rights to elect their leaders freely.
“From August 23, it was evident that the regime had no intention of allowing a fair competition to determine the country’s leadership.
“State institutions, notably the ZEC, employed various tactics to deprive Zimbabweans of their right to a free and fair election. Despite these challenges, Zimbabweans persevered, queuing until early hours to exercise their right to choose their leaders,” Timba remarked.
He emphasized the Zimbabwean people’s demand for accountability from SADC and their expectation for a response to their concerns regarding the 2023 elections.
Meanwhile, Chamisa has been pressuring SADC to annul the election results, but efforts to engage with the regional bloc on this matter appear to have encountered obstacles.
President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s government, which is preparing to host the upcoming SADC summit, remains steadfast in denying allegations of election rigging, asserting that the polls were conducted fairly and transparently.
Mnangagwa is poised to assume the rotational SADC chairmanship during the August summit.
