The MDC remains hopeful that the broadest possible coalition can be built before the 2018 elections.

Following recent press reports suggesting that the MDC was somehow at the centre of some discord in CODE, the MDC wishes to set the record straight.

Firstly, we reiterate the MDC’s unwavering commitment to the building of an all - inclusive coalition of all national and democratic opposition political parties which share the desire to see the end of the painful and ruinous rule of ZANU PF.

This commitment is underscored and underpinned by several resolutions taken by the organs of the MDC including those of the Standing Committee of 6 February 2016 and 3 September 2016 and those of the National Council of 16 April 2016 and 22 December 2016.

Collectively these resolutions instructed the leadership to take all necessary steps to engage all national political parties willing to engage on the tasks of building an all- inclusive coalition.

In compliance with these resolutions the MDC leadership has been and continues to be engaged in bilateral and multilateral conversations within all political parties willing to engage.

At its meeting of 22 December 2016 referred to above, the National Council, the party’s highest organ in between congresses, reviewed progress made in coalition building and noting that time was of the essence given that the 2018 elections were slightly over a year away, instructed the Standing Committee to continue to work within the auspices of CODE and also to engage in bilateral engagements with those parties outside CODE to expedite conversations and discussions which would result in urgent conclusions to all multilateral and bilateral discussions over coalition building.

The MDC remains hopeful that the broadest possible coalition can be built before the 2018 elections. If we fail in these endeavours it would not be out of not trying. We have responded proactively to the strong public sentiment to work with others notwithstanding historical and current differences and disagreements.

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