LONDON – A senior politician within Nelson Chamisa’s Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) has disclosed that the British Labour government is providing robust support to the opposition leader, ensuring his group wields significant influence over the UK’s foreign policy towards Zimbabwe.
Speaking on condition of anonymity, the politician revealed that Chamisa’s camp “literally controls UK policy on Zimbabwe,” citing its sway over key issues such as the country’s bid to rejoin the Commonwealth and the ongoing sanctions regime.
The politician further stated that a senior official from the UK Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office (FCDO) is expected to visit Zimbabwe in the coming weeks. The visit, they claim, is strategically designed to engage Chamisa and select government officials, while conveying a clear ultimatum: Zimbabwe will not regain Commonwealth membership without initiating direct talks with Chamisa and agreeing to a Government of National Unity (GNU) that installs him as Vice President.
According to the source, the FCDO official’s visit has multiple objectives, including assuaging pressure from Commonwealth members advocating for Zimbabwe’s re-admission by portraying the UK as actively engaging with the Zimbabwean government. It is also intended to offer what was described as a “fake carrot” to Zimbabwe’s government, creating the appearance of openness to dialogue while maintaining a firm stance. Furthermore, the visit will reaffirm the UK’s unwavering support for Chamisa and his political agenda, while also exploring economic opportunities for British investors in Zimbabwe.
The CCC politician noted that the group has garnered influential allies within the British Labour Party, including Baroness Kate Hoey, a vocal advocate for Zimbabwean democracy. “We have strong backers in Westminster who are committed to ensuring Chamisa plays a central role in Zimbabwe’s political future,” the source said.
The issue of Zimbabwe’s Commonwealth re-admission remains contentious. While the majority of African, Caribbean, Middle Eastern, and Asian member states reportedly support Zimbabwe’s return, a bloc led by the UK, Canada, New Zealand, and Australia remains opposed. An African diplomat, who provided insight into the dynamics within the Commonwealth, dismissed claims that the powerful bloc’s opposition was rooted in racism or imperialism. “It’s not about race; it’s about shared values and geopolitical interests,” the diplomat explained. However, they were critical of the pretext that Zimbabwe’s exclusion is due to a lack of democracy. “Many Commonwealth states cannot claim to have higher democratic or human rights standards than Zimbabwe,” they added.
This development underscores Chamisa’s growing prominence on the international stage, particularly in the UK’s foreign policy calculus. Analysts believe the CCC leader’s alignment with British interests has positioned him as a pivotal figure in shaping Zimbabwe’s engagement with the West.
