(TALKZIMBABWE) MDCs in unity talks: Coltart

MDCs in unity talks: Coltart
By: RadioVop-TZG
Posted: Friday, September 17, 2010 4:15 pm

THE two Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) factions are engaged in informal reunification talks following their 2005 acrimonious split, David Coltart, the legal secretary of the smaller formation has said.

Coltart who emphasised that he was speaking in his personal capacity told participants at a lecture series organised by the Students Solidarity Trust (SST) that he regretted the split and the two factions’ failure to form an electoral pact ahead of the 2008 elections.

A fortnight ago Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai said he was not opposed to calls for the two factions to reunite ahead of elections expected next year.

The MDC split into two following differences over participation in senatorial elections.

Arthur Mutambara was brought in to lead the smaller faction that also had the late Gibson Sibanda and Welshman Ncube.

Coltart who stuck with the smaller faction and is also the Minister of Education, Sport and Culture said strong leadership would be needed if the two groups were to reconcile.

He said a united front was necessary to challenge Zanu-PF's leadership.

Earlier, Coltart had delivered a lecture on the state of Zimbabwe’s education sector.

Other panelists included former education minister Fay Chung and Raymond Majongwe, the secretary general of the Progressive Teachers of Zimbabwe.