Citizens Coalition for Change
Political party in Zimbabwe
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) is a Zimbabwean political party. It was established by former members of the Movement for Democratic Change Alliance.[14][15]
Jameson Timba[3]
Citizens Coalition for Change | |
|---|---|
| Secretary-General | Sengezo Tshabangu |
| President (Disputed) | Welshman Ncube[1][2] Jameson Timba[3] |
| Founder | Nelson Chamisa |
| Founded | 22 January 2022 |
| Split from | Movement for Democratic Change Alliance |
| Headquarters | Harare |
| Ideology | Social democracy[4] Christian democracy[5] Liberal democracy[6][7][8] Civic nationalism[9][10] Left-wing nationalism[11] Social conservatism[12] Anti-corruption[13] |
| Political position | Centre-left[citation needed] |
| International affiliation | Progressive Alliance |
| Colours | Yellow |
| National Assembly | 86 / 280 |
| Senate | 27 / 80 |
| Pan-African Parliament | 0 / 5 |
| Website | |
| www | |
Background
Nelson Chamisa formed Citizens Coalition for Change after losing[16] the squabbles over party name "MDC Alliance" against Douglas Mwonzora, leader of the Movement for Democratic Change - Tsvangiri (MDC-T).[17] Chamisa presented yellow as the new color and raising the index finger as the new symbol.[18] CCC has no constitution. A way to avoid being bound by its supremacy as it was in MDC.[citation needed] Following the CCCs formation, MDC Alliance members of parliament and councilors accused of showing allegiance to Chamisa were recalled from parliament by Mwonzora, who took over the MDC Alliance. This, alongside the deaths of some officials,[citation needed] left a number of vacancies in parliamentary seats,[19] called for by-elections under Zimbabwean constitutional law. Elections in 28 seats were conducted on 26 March 2022 in which the newly formed CCC won 19 and ZANU–PF won 9 seats.[20] Notably, the ZANU-PF gained 9 more parliamentary seats since 2018.[citation needed] Mwonzora's rump MDC Alliance did not secure any seats. The weeks preceeding the by-election saw some government-sponsored violence against CCC (including violence at a CCC rally in Kwekwe which led to the stabbing and death of a party supporter, Mboneni Ncube, by suspected ZANU-PF supporters).[21]
2023 recall of Members of Parliament
At its inception in 2022, the CCC party had the president of the CCC party Nelson Chamisa as the sole office holder. Chamisa refused to craft an interim constitution and party structures as interim leader. During this period of disorganization, Sengezo Tshabangu, another party member, begun his campaign to claim the title and role of the interim secretary general of the party.[22] His claim is rejected by Chamisa.[23] It has been suggested that he represents an agitated group of the old generation of the MDC Alliance who were sidelined by Chamisa, most notably Tendai Biti and Welshman Ncube, two VPs of the former MDC Alliance. However, evidence to support these claims has been insufficient to date. Some have suggested that Tshabangu represents a shadowy group called FAZ that runs shady electorals tasks for the ruling ZANU–PF,[citation needed] though this also remains a subject of conjecture.
On 3 October 2022, Tshabangu wrote letters to the speaker of the parliament, president of the senate, and minister of local government recalling MPs, senators and councillors who were elected on the CCC ticket. He submitted his own credentials and interim constitution to the parliament and ZEC, which essentially meant he was now the bona fide leader of the party.[citation needed] The letters were accepted and the MPs, senators and councillors were recalled. The recalled MPs, Senators and Councillors approached the high court of Zimbabwe claiming that Tshabangu was not a member of the CCC party, moreso the secretary general. However, this could not be proven due to the party's of constitution, party member list, and minutes of its meetings. Tshabangu thus took control of the CCC party following the high court's decision. The recalled MPs, senators and councillors approached the Supreme Court of Zimbabwe to counter Tshabangu's claim.[citation needed][when?] The CCC party also approached the high court interdicting Tshabangu from using its party name, symbols and claiming to be the secretary general. Instead, Sengezo Tshabangu has submitted an interim constitution of the party which means he is now the bona fide leader of the party.[citation needed]
Chamisa resigned on 27 January 2024, citing government interference had "contaminated" and "hijacked" the CCC.[24]
Post-Chamisa era
After Nelson Chamisa resigned as party president and member of the CCC in 2024, other members who were loyal to him also left the party. Among the notable departures were Rusty Markham and Fadzayi Mahere.[25] In February 2024 it was announced that Welshman Ncube will serve as interim party leader on a 90-day rotational arrangement with Tendai Biti and Lynette Karenyi-Kore until the party holds its elective congress.[26]
Electoral history
Presidential elections
| Election | Party candidate | Votes | Percentage | Votes | Percentage | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| First Round | Second Round | |||||
| 2023 | Nelson Chamisa | 1,967,243 | 44.03% | — | — | Lost |
House of Assembly elections
| Election | Party leader | Votes | % | Seats | +/– | Position | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 (by-election) | Nelson Chamisa | 19 / 28 |
Opposition | ||||
| 2023 | 1,856,393 | 41.46% | 103 / 280 |
Opposition | |||
| 2023 (by-election) | 2 / 10 |
||||||
| 2024 (by-election) | Unknown | 0 / 6 |
Senate elections
| Election | Party leader | Seats | +/– | Position | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Nelson Chamisa | 27 / 80 |
Opposition |