It is often said that when the cat is away, the mice will play. Yes, in Zimbabwe, Morgan Tsvangirai, the leader of the main opposition party, Movement for Democratic Change, MDC, is hospitalized outside the country. But the power play is ravaging the party months before the election.
Three deputies are vying to act as MDC-T party leader in Mr. Tsvangirai’s absence. A spokesman for the MDC, Luke Tambo, described those struggling to succeed Mr. Tsvangirai as “political vultures.” The 65-year-old Tsvangirai has dominated opposition politics for close to two decades as the leading voice against former President Robert Mugabe, who resigned under pressure in November.
The upcoming election will be the first without Mugabe, who led the southern African country for 37 years. The opposition is scrambling to counter new President Emmerson Mnangagwa, a longtime Mugabe ally who has vowed that the election will be free and fair as he seeks to re-engage the international community after years of sanctions over alleged human rights abuses.
Last Friday, Mr. Tambo announced that Mr. Tsvangirai had appointed his deputy, Nelson Chamisa, to act as party leader until his return. But other party members are disputing that, arguing that deputy Elias Mudzuri, who was acting leader before the announcement, or deputy Thokozani Khupe is acting leader or rightful heir. But Tambo described the disputes as “needless furore.”
An opposition alliance had endorsed Mr. Tsvangirai as its presidential candidate. His condition appeared to have deteriorated when he met interim President, Ernest Mnangagwa, in January.
The opposition infighting could work to the advantage of Mr. Mnangagwa as he seeks to contest the election and become the substantive leader.
