Coalition of Democrats
| Coalition of Democrats | |
|---|---|
| Leader | Elton Mangoma |
| President | Elton Mangoma |
| Founded | May 2016 [1] |
| Ideology | Pan-Africanism 'Modern Nationalism, Social Democracy |
The Coalition of Democrats (CODE) are an opposition coaltion in Zimbabwe formed in May 2016 to contest in the 2018 Harmonised Elections. The group endorsed Elton Mangoma as their presidential candidate for the 2018 General Election.
The coalition also included the Dumiso Dabengwa led ZAPU. Dabengwa was the Chair of the group's Supreme Council. ZAPU, however, pulled out of the coalition on 18 April 2018 citing a lack of respect for ZAPU's liberation war values.[2]. Two other coalition members had left CODE in March 2018.
2018 Elections Manifesto
Code 2018 Elections Manifesto Download
Formation
On 31 May 2016, five opposition parties came together to form a coalition with the objective of challenging President Robert Mugabe and his Zanu PF party in the 2018 Harmonised Elections.[1]
The five parties were:
- Mavambo/Kusile/Dawn led by Simba Makoni
- Movement for Democratic Change led by Welshman Ncube
- Renewal Democrats of Zimbabwe led by Elton Mangoma
- Democratic Assembly for Restoration and Empowerment - led by Gilbert Dzikiti
- Zimbabweans United for Democracy - led by Farai Mbira
The members said that they were inviting other parties and at the time, Tendai Biti said his political party People’s Democratic Party would join the coalition executive committee approved. Gilbert Dzikiti, was appointed the first chairman of CODE.[1]
Current Coalition Partners
CODE is a group made up of five political parties which include:
- Renewal Democrats of Zimbabwe
- Zimbabweans United for Democracy - led by Farai Mbira
- Democratic Assembly for Restoration and Empowerment - led by Gilbert Dzikiti
- African Democratic Party - led by Marceline Chikasha
- Mavambo/Kusile/Dawn led by Simba Makoni
Ideology
The Coalition of Democrats officially follows 3 ideologies:
- Pan-Africanism,
- Social Democracy
- Modern Nationalism.
It actively endorses the African Union's vision 2063.
Modern Nationalism
CODE defines modern nationalism as using and exploiting Zimbabwe's national resources to benefit all of the population. The coalition wishes to fulfill the aspirations of the Founding Zimbabwean Nationalists by ensuring that all Zimbabweans are treated equally.
Exit of Partners
MDC (Welshman Ncube)
In August 2017, MDC national spokesperson, Kurauone Chihwai, issued a statement announcing that MDC had left the CODE. The party said that it had resolved to join a newly formed coalition, MDC Alliance.[3]
ZimFirst and PDZ
In March 2018, ZimFirst and Progressive Democrats of Zimbabwe (PDZ) announced that they were leaving CODE citing incompetence by Mangoma.[4]
ZAPU
In April 2018, ZAPU left the Coalition of Democrats. Speaking to NewsDay, Zapu spokesperson, Iphithule Maphosa confirmed that Dumiso Dabengwa was running for president in the 2018 polls after cutting ties with the Coalition of Democrats.[2]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 5 Zimbabwe Opposition Parties Form Coalition Ahead of 2018 Elections, VOA, Published: 31 May 2016, Retrieved: 24 April 2018
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 NQOBANI NDLOVU, Zapu cuts ties with Code, NewsDay, Published:18 April 2018, Retrieved: 24 April 2018
- ↑ Welshman Ncube’s MDC quits CODE, Pindula News, Published:10 Aug 2018 , Retrieved: 24 April 2018
- ↑ Elton Mangoma’s Coalition of Democrats Collapsing As Parties Abandon Project Over “Incompetency”, Pindula News, Published: 7 March 2018 , Retrieved: 24 April 2018
