Zimbabwe’s main opposition leader quits, claiming his party was hijacked by president’s ruling party

By FARAI MUTSAKA
Associated Press

HARARE, Zimbabwe (AP) — Zimbabwe’s main opposition leader has announced that he has quit his party, accusing the country’s ruling party of hijacking the organization and causing the axing of his members of parliament and councilors. Nelson Chamisa, 45, who was leader of the Citizens Coalition for Change party, was President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s main rival in the 2018 and 2023 disputed elections. On Thursday, he accused Mnangagwa of decimating the opposition. In a 13-page statement on his social media platforms and on the party’s page on X, formerly Twitter, Chamisa criticized the economically and politically troubled southern African country’s record of authoritarianism. Chamisa said he would remain active in public service.