Stephen Chan @DrStephenChan Twitter profile

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Stephen Chan

@DrStephenChan

2 years

With Nelson Chamisa this afternoon. We had a very cordial but also very open and frank conversation, in which I outlined my critical views while also expressing my deep hopes for a better Zimbabwean future.

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Stephen Chan

@DrStephenChan

2 years

With the heroic Zimbabwean journalist this afternoon, Hopewell Chin'ono. The exposer of corruption & survivor of Zimbabwean prisons. His harsh treatment only persuaded greater numbers of people to believe his reportage. 'Why would they treat him like this if it were not true?'

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Stephen Chan

@DrStephenChan

1 year

Well, you would have known well before I got back to Lusaka. I'm told it's all over Sthn African media. Yes, I was deported on arrival in Zimbabwe. The insurgency story was clearly a cover. They just don't want people to see an election that is not fully proper.

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Stephen Chan

@DrStephenChan

2 years

Whoever becomes the new UK PM will appoint a new Foreign Secretary & new Minister for Africa, so I shall seek to pay courtesy calls to both to share with them my impressions from this visit, ending today, to Zimbabwe.

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Stephen Chan

@DrStephenChan

1 year

And ZANU-PF can't say the observers were stooges of the West. The African Union? SADC? A former African President? A former African Vice President? They were stooges? ZANU-PF just got it all wrong.

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Stephen Chan

@DrStephenChan

1 year

I've said this a dozen times: the biggest danger to ZANU-PF's chances will come if ZANU-PF overplays its hand. When you paly dirty in a game of poker, everyone knows.

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Stephen Chan

@DrStephenChan

4 years

Does ANYone coordinate policy in the Zimbabwean President's office? "We're open for business," is the mantra. "Give us a signal of good faith about stamping out corruption," is the international reply. "OK, we'll arrest Hopewell Chin'ono who revealed corruption." Who will invest?

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Stephen Chan

@DrStephenChan

2 years

Many have asked how I react to being attacked by Jonathan Moyo. I don't mind at all. Part of the territory. But I do wish Zimbabwe could mature into debate on the issues, leave politics by character assassination. Leave personality politics. But I've been saying that for years.

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Stephen Chan

@DrStephenChan

2 years

President Mnangagwa couldn't go on as planned to Cuba. A huge hurricane has hit the country, leading to a total national blackout. Back home, Zimbabwe has managed to do the same thing without any assistance from a hurricane...

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Stephen Chan

@DrStephenChan

3 years

OK, it seems the young man has done it. Forget anyone else. he is THE opposition now.

Chamisa Draws Bumper Crowd In Maiden Rally - NewZimbabwe.com

Spread This NewsBy Leopold Munhende, Chief Reporter TENS of thousands of Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) supporters braved the scorching heat of the afternoon Harare sun and a State-stirred...

www.newzimbabwe.com

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Stephen Chan

@DrStephenChan

4 years

Minister Moyo was recently complaining about lack of foreign investment, when Zimbabwe was "open for business" But this type of intimidation deters investors. Someone who exposes corruption is arrested. But it is precisely corruption that investors fear.

Hopewell Chin'ono: Whistle-blowing Zimbabwean journalist arrested

Hopewell Chin'ono recently exposed alleged high-level corruption in the Zimbabwean government.

www.bbc.co.uk

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Stephen Chan

@DrStephenChan

3 years

As we see sanctions being applied against Russia it is well to realise these are REAL sanctions. What was applied to Zimbabwe was child's play by comparison, was largely symbolic, but well used by the ZANU-PF government to cover its own lapses, elite greed & lack of planning.

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Stephen Chan

@DrStephenChan

1 year

Zambia's President Hichilema up close with King Charles at Buckingham Palace.

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Stephen Chan

@DrStephenChan

1 year

Well, Zimbabwe wants to be readmitted to the Commonwealth. I used to be a member of the Commonwealth Secretariat. One of my first calls back in London will be to the Commonwealth Secretary-General, Baroness Scotland. Doesn't the security apparatus in Zimbabwe do ANY homework?

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Stephen Chan

@DrStephenChan

1 year

As predicted, ZANU-PF has attacked Nevers Mumba as an agent of the West. The former Zambian Deputy President has hit back strongly, saying that Africa must uphold key principles for the sake of Africa. (In a nutshell: No principles, no Africa.)

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Stephen Chan

@DrStephenChan

3 years

In Zambia Hichilema's UNDP also defeated Lungu's PF party, making it a Presidential AND Parliamentary victory. The quality of the party counts. In Zimbabwe, the MDC remains in disarray. A Presidential candidate can't be a lone ranger. If he can't run a party, can he run a nation?

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Stephen Chan

@DrStephenChan

2 years

What are my most worrying aspects of Zimbabwean political life? 1. The relentless quest for power without a plan to benefit others. 2. The use of corruption simply for acquisition without a thought for circulation. 3. The constant recourse to blaming others for one's own mistakes

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Stephen Chan

@DrStephenChan

1 year

So what did ZANU-PF gain by throwing me out? When African leaders much more powerful than I could ever be speak out against the integrity of the elections much more powerfully than ever I could.

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Stephen Chan

@DrStephenChan

1 year

As promised, I will post reflections after the polls close tonight. But all the fake posters, late openings, wrong ballots & slow internet issues are signs of last minute panic. The nakedness of these tactics has been noticed by all observer groups.

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Stephen Chan

@DrStephenChan

4 years

BBC News - Rappers and actors push Zimbabwe hashtag viral I'm not sure how well ZANU-PF understands or appreciates this. The ruling class seems not cyber-literate. But it should not be read as supporting the MDC. It's against repression. For freedom.

Rappers and actors push Zimbabwe hashtag viral

The social media campaign tapping into the anger of the global #BlackLivesMatter phenomenon.

www.bbc.co.uk

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Stephen Chan

@DrStephenChan

2 years

News of Dangarembga's sentence even in Gahuza (Rwandan language). The news has spread around the world in dozens of languages. It really is an example of the Zimbabwean regime again shooting itself in the foot.

Zimbabwe: Umwanditsi Tsitsi Dangarembga yahamijwe ‘gukangurira rubanda urugomo’ - BBC News Gahuza

Tsitsi Dangarembga n’inshuti ye bagaragaye mu muhanda i Harare, bafite ibyapa byanditseho ko bifuza amavugurura ya politike no kurekura abanyamakuru bafunze.

www.bbc.com

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Stephen Chan

@DrStephenChan

2 years

I see I have created a small furore in my visit to Zimbabwe. All I did was to speak honestly. I certainly didn't mean to offend anyone, as has been related to me. But I had forgotten how very sensitive Zimbabwean political feelings are. I still however want debate on the issues.

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Stephen Chan

@DrStephenChan

1 year

Some second rank SADC observers have left. But the big observer groups have told me they'll stay at the remaining open polling stations all night if need be. And EVERY English-speaking SADC nation has run better elections than this one.

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Stephen Chan

@DrStephenChan

2 years

I am slowly getting the sense that everyday cash dollarisation is one thing. Full dollarisation would ruin the carefully constructed transactional culture of benefits and corruption in the exchange system as practised at high levels. In short, corruption NEEDS two currencies.

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Stephen Chan

@DrStephenChan

2 years

I was invited to take dinner tonight in Harare at a seriously elite restaurant. It would put many London restaurants to shame. It was very pleasant. But the contrast to what I've recently seen in the high density areas is astounding, sobering. There should not be these 2 extremes

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Stephen Chan

@DrStephenChan

2 years

To maintain fairness I did, through trusted intermediaries, request a discussion with President Mnangagwa. That was tentatively scheduled for tomorrow late morning before I set off for the airport. That, I am told, will not now be possible.

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Stephen Chan

@DrStephenChan

5 years

The real problem with re-engagement with Zimbabwe is that no one will invest in a non-transparent economy. No industrial investment is possible without guaranteed electricity. And no major firm will take the public relations risk of investing in a country with poor human rights.

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Stephen Chan

@DrStephenChan

6 years

Not sure how they can be so completely over-the-top clumsy and BAD. ZANU-PF must have been smugly congratulating themselves for 'managing' the election and projecting a new image - and then, in one fell swoop, killing protesters in front of world observers. Same old ZANU-PF.

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Stephen Chan

@DrStephenChan

5 years

21 African leaders are in London right now. SOAS, for instance, hosts the President of Malawi tonight. The news is not that Mnangagwa was not invited. The news is that not a single African President complained that he was not invited. The silent judgement of peers is damning.

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Stephen Chan

@DrStephenChan

4 years

There is a well-known adage: when you realise you're in a hole, stop digging. To take on the might of the Catholic church is very daring but it runs in the face of another adage: choose the fights you can win.

Zimbabwe: Govt Summons Vatican Envoy to Explain Mnangagwa 'Insult'

Government has moved to escalate its widely publicised row with Catholic priests through a planned meeting with the Vatican Representative to Zimbabwe ostensibly to seek explanation over 'insults'...

allafrica.com

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Stephen Chan

@DrStephenChan

2 years

Indeed, early in my recent visit to Zimbabwe I worked out that with an initial US $100, using something like Mutambara's methodology, I could have muliplied its value 10 times over by the time I left not quite two weeks later. The entire exchange rate system is a swindle.

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Stephen Chan

@DrStephenChan

2 years

This came out 5 years ago today. I hope to be back next year at the time of the elections. Flying on the very long overnighter plus to London today. It's been a most interesting visit.

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Stephen Chan

@DrStephenChan

1 year

I am told that former Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan, who heads the AU Observers, is also being briefed on my expulsion from Zimbabwe.

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Stephen Chan

@DrStephenChan

2 years

I'm labouring a point - obviously. But if Ramaphosa & Malema pretend, & Tsvangirai & Mugabe could pretend, why cannot there be the courtesy of pretence between Mnangagwa & Chamisa? If some civility starts at the top perhaps there might be less violence below.

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Stephen Chan

@DrStephenChan

4 years

The basic rule of law internationally is that an accused is entitled to a lawyer of his or her choice. The grounds used by the magistrate are jurisprudentially fallacious. Bishops, writers, lawyers - who will be next?

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Stephen Chan

@DrStephenChan

2 years

TRUSS AT LEAST ADMITTED SHE HAD MADE MISTAKES, APOLOGISED & HAS NOW FALLEN ON HER OWN SWORD. SOME LEADERS MAKE HUGE MISTAKES YEAR AFTER YEAR AFTER YEAR, & ABSOLUTELY REFUSE TO GO.

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Stephen Chan

@DrStephenChan

2 years

Mbappe's father in 2018: “At first, I wanted my son to play for Cameroon but someone at the Cameroon Football Federation charged a sum of money that I didn’t have to make him play. The French didn’t charge anything.” ◾Can you now see how terrible corruption has affected Africa!

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Stephen Chan

@DrStephenChan

1 year

But a last thought for the night. If you want to rule forever, why hold elections? Because you want the respect & legitimacy an election confers. Then why run an election no one respects and all consider illegitimate?

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Stephen Chan

@DrStephenChan

5 years

I came across this shot of the youthful Rex Nhongo & Dumiso Dabengwa. It reminded me that some really fought the fight, while others talked the fight.

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Stephen Chan

@DrStephenChan

2 years

He needs to take the plunge and just say it. This is a shadow cabinet in all but name. And the members are the names with which foreign governments would wish to liaise in the event of a CCC victory. The outside world wants some certainty about such things

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Stephen Chan

@DrStephenChan

1 year

I actually can't think of any election anywhere else in the world that received such uniform criticism from all official observer groups. But if armed police are already being deployed, the fear is that violence will be the next step to hang onto power.

Zimbabweans anxiously wait for election results as African observer missions note voter intimidation

Zimbabweans are waiting anxiously for the outcome of general elections as dozens of armed police with water cannons guard the national results center, the scene of deadly violence after the previous...

apnews.com

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Stephen Chan

@DrStephenChan

3 years

China's Huayou buys lithium mine in Zimbabwe for $422 mln Lithium, one of the world's most important resources. You'd have thought this was one of the key enterprises that the Zimbabwean Govt would have fought tooth & nail to ensure it kept full control.

China's Huayou buys lithium mine in Zimbabwe for $422 mln

China's Zhejiang Huayou Cobalt said on Wednesday it would pay a total $422 million to acquire the Arcadia hard-rock lithium mine in Zimbabwe.

www.reuters.com

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Stephen Chan

@DrStephenChan

4 years

2 new hospitals in Zimbabwe to treat COVID19 cases, one fee-paying with 2000 beds, one open to all with 700 beds. This is surely a distortion of public health care. It should surely be the other way around, especially with so much equipment being DONATED by international sources.

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Stephen Chan

@DrStephenChan

1 year

Just back from a memorial service in Lusaka today, with many highly placed Zambian political and diplomatic figures - from different political parties. To the last person they adamantly supported Nevers Mumba and his stand and his response to the insults from Zimbabwean critics.

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Stephen Chan

@DrStephenChan

1 year

For if Chamisa appeals to the regional leaders they will say: Yes, it is reasonable to see the hand of ZANU-PF behind all this. But how did you fall into all these traps they set for you? The regional leaders will ask questions about foresight, strategy, and leadership. Basically

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Stephen Chan

@DrStephenChan

1 year

Even if tired voters go home at he late-opening stations, those seat will stay the CCC's. The aim is influence the presidential vote, so that Chamisa loses crucial numbers.

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Stephen Chan

@DrStephenChan

4 years

She's probably Zimbabwe's greatest world acclaimed living author. She was protesting in the ultra polite upper-middle-class suburb of Borrowdale. The securitised response of the government to even polite dissent has one guaranteed result: no investment.

Booker prize-longlisted author Tsitsi Dangarembga arrested in Zimbabwe

Author of This Mournable Body detained as part of sweeping crackdown by security agencies

www.theguardian.com

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Stephen Chan

@DrStephenChan

1 year

It's 7pm and polls were meant to close now. But many will open probably late into the night because of delays in their opening. The first thing to say is that this has been the most ineptly organised (deliberately or just plain ineptly) election in the 21st century. What Dr Jega

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Stephen Chan

@DrStephenChan

3 years

Whereas in Zimbabwe I haven't heard any of the splintering parties and factions discuss energy policy, or indeed anything much by way of policies. It's all a politics of plotting and not a politics of policies.

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Stephen Chan

@DrStephenChan

2 years

May I thank the very many Zimbabweans who have written to me expressing support. Even in the London streets, complete strangers stop me, say they are Zimbabweans & tell me to continue my commentaries. "The problem in our country is that no one, on either side, likes criticism."

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Stephen Chan

@DrStephenChan

1 year

Zimbabwe president re-elected after irregularities The sense is that Mnangagwa will be accepted by his presidential peers in Africa, but with sideways glances. It must be hard for him attending summits when everyone has a limited view of his legitimacy,

Zimbabwe president re-elected after vote criticised for irregularities

Incumbent Emmerson Mnangagwa declared victor but opposition vows to contest result

www.ft.com

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Stephen Chan

@DrStephenChan

1 year

From Johannesburg it seems a hasty inauguration, and scratching the bottom of the barrel for guests. Edgar Lungu? Grace Mugabe? In the end CCC didn't have to do anything. Ramaphosa had to go. Zim is his northern neighbour. But this was not a popular inauguration among leaders.

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Stephen Chan

@DrStephenChan

11 months

Abducted Zimbabwe opposition activist found dead via @BBCNews The impunity & contempt for electoral processes now encompasses murder & assassination. I don't think ZANU-PF understands (or cares) how much damage this does to their 'democratic' credibility.

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Stephen Chan

@DrStephenChan

1 year

Ah, this is why the Herald tried to dirty Nevers Mumba. I owe him a glass of whatever he wants to make up for previous criticisms: Just now in - SADC CASTS DOUBTS OVER CREDIBILITY OF ELECTORAL PROCESS Dr Nevers Mumba, former Vice President of Zambia and head of the SADC election

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Stephen Chan

@DrStephenChan

2 years

A prophet is without honour in his own country. In fact they are often imprisoned. But they are recognised and honoured abroad.

Chin'ono gets Qatar anti-corruption award; dedicates it to a Zimbabwe struggling due to 'unpreced...

Spread This NewsBy Jazeera The winners of the sixth edition of Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani’s International Anti-Corruption Excellence Award have been announced in Doha. Seven organi...

www.newzimbabwe.com

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Stephen Chan

@DrStephenChan

4 years

Zimbabwe VP named health minister after Covid-19 scandal via @BBCNews Well, it was the VP who earlier thought he could order health workers as if they were soldiers, & fire nurses. Might it not be a good idea to have a medical doctor as Minister of Health?

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Stephen Chan

@DrStephenChan

2 years

The news of Dangarembga's conviction in German. She is highly regarded in Germany, Europe's financial powerhouse. German investors will not consider Zimbabwe open for business simply because it is not open. The Zim Govt doesn't seem to understand that

Tsitsi Dangarembga in Simbabwe schuldig gesprochen

Das Korruptionsgericht von Simbabwe hat die Schriftstellerin Tsitsi Dangarembga wegen Aufruf zur Gewalt schuldig gesprochen. Das groteske Urteil zeigt auch, wie realitätsnah ihre Bücher sind.

www.faz.net

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Stephen Chan

@DrStephenChan

2 years

I am very happy he has done this. During our meeting, and in some of my media interviews while in Zimbabwe, I stressed the need for the West to know with whom it would be dealing, portfolio by portfolio, in the event of a 2023 CCC electoral victory.

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Stephen Chan

@DrStephenChan

4 years

The new lockdown in Zimbabwe can only work as part of a national medical strategy for COVID. There isn't one. The economy will be further wrecked, but there is hardly any economy. If it is for political expediency, then control is more important to ZANU-PF than health and finance

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Stephen Chan

@DrStephenChan

1 year

The 3rd thing to say is related to the 2nd. I imagine a group of ZANU-PF strategists chortling around a table, Castles in hand, congratulating themselves on the ingenuity of their tricks, not understanding that experienced observers see them as completely transparent & childish.

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Stephen Chan

@DrStephenChan

1 year

The EU Observers got in before the AU. Pretty forthright: ZIM ELECTIONS FALL SHORT OF REGIONAL STANDARDS -EU The EU’s Election Observation Mission has released its preliminary statement regarding the elections. Titled “Curtailed Rights and Lack of Level Playing Field Compounded

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Stephen Chan

@DrStephenChan

2 years

But, as one clear sign of policy direction for South Africa, the Chinese Ambassador was invited to attend and address the ANC Congress. In spite of the recent US-Africa Summit, not the US Ambassador.

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Stephen Chan

@DrStephenChan

11 months

"Schoolboy politics" has cost CCC - Chin'ono via @bmusonza Well, I agree with Chinono. It's too late now to field candidates as independents. The enemy out-thinks the CCC. The question is why, in ALL this saga, the CCC has never out-thought the enemy.

“Schoolboy politics” has cost Chamisa CCC – Chin’ono

Journalist and Government critic Hopewell Chin’ono said that the Citizens’ Coalition for Change (CCC) led by Nelson Chamisa blundered in fielding its recall

www.thezimbabwemail.com

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Stephen Chan

@DrStephenChan

4 years

The Zimbabwe Government seems to have paused its hard line against the Catholic church. Perhaps someone has finally looked at the numbers: 1 million Catholics in Zimbabwe, 3.8 million in SA, 160 million in Africa as a whole. But it depends how isolated you want to be.

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Stephen Chan

@DrStephenChan

5 years

ZANU-PF was once the party of liberation but is now the party of acquisition. It acquires while others suffer. It fires doctors while the Foreign Minister flies to SAfrica for treatment. It has overseen TWO dramatic collapses in the economy without learning any fiscal lessons.

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Stephen Chan

@DrStephenChan

3 years

Delivered today as the sunrise gave way to full morning 😁The pre-release reviews have been extremely positive.

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Stephen Chan

@DrStephenChan

3 years

To reiterate: there was not any 'meeting' between Presidents Biden & Mnangagwa. They encountered each other at the cocktail reception for the visiting presidents & prime ministers. They basically exchanged greetings & brief polite words in accordance with required good manners.

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Stephen Chan

@DrStephenChan

5 years

It takes a Chinese billionaire to provide millions of test kits for Coronavirus to Africa. In Zimbabwe it takes a local millionaire to pay the doctors. What exactly have governments done with all the money that should have been put into the heath sector?

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Stephen Chan

@DrStephenChan

11 months

Stubborness is not thought. Can we have some dexterity and flexibility in the Zimbabwean opposition, please?

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Stephen Chan

@DrStephenChan

4 years

Zimbabwe's Government seems determined to isolate itself further. Behind the scenes, the Catholic Church has been trying hard to facilitate dialogue. The repudiation of their letter on corruption is basically also a repudiation of their call for dialogue.

Zimbabwe rejects Catholic bishops' criticism of corruption and abuse

A government minister accuses the Church leaders of joining groups seeking "to manufacture crises".

www.bbc.co.uk

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Stephen Chan

@DrStephenChan

1 year

Setting off on the long trip home now: Luska to Johannesburg, long layover, overnighter to London. It's been an odd trip, somewhat unplanned🙃but still trying to make sense as to what good my deportation from Zimbabwe achieved for ZANU-PF. Few tweets today.

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Stephen Chan

@DrStephenChan

4 years

Zimbabwe is now one of the world's 4 most food-insecure nations alongside Yemen, Somalia and South Sudan. More than 60% of Zimbabwe’s 15.6-million people may soon be food insecure. Food must come from the same foreign donors castigated by the government, & come up from S Africa.

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Stephen Chan

@DrStephenChan

1 year

The thing is that all the recalled MPs and the Mayor threatened with recall were democratically elected. What is at stake here is not just an attack on Chamisa's CCC but an attack on electoral democracy.

Harare mayor Ian Makone latest target in Zimbabwe opposition CCC row

Mayor Ian Makone faces the sack in a wrangle that has already seen the ousting of 15 MPs.

www.bbc.com

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Stephen Chan

@DrStephenChan

2 years

I understand Jonathan Moyo did indeed seek to join the CCC. Thankfully that fell through as his record is hardly one of loyalty. But he has made astute comments on the need for party structure. Certainly the West NEEDS to know WHO is in the front bench...

Exiled Jonathan Moyo digs in, explains recent Chamisa and CCC onslaught - NewZimbabwe.com

EXILED former cabinet minister Jonathan Moyo has explained why he has over the past months been laying into opposition Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC).

www.newzimbabwe.com

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Stephen Chan

@DrStephenChan

1 year

It seems they are trying to destabilise parallel vote tabulations conducted by NGOs. When this clear pattern emerges it seems clear there may be an operation afoot to 'massage' the results.

Zimbabwe election: Poll monitors arrested amid election

Police confirm 41 people have been detained for allegedly trying to disrupt the voting process.

www.bbc.com

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Stephen Chan

@DrStephenChan

6 years

Well, I did say Ramaphosa would not bail out Zimbabwe. The question is why anyone even thought he might. Begging is not workable policy. The oligarchs don't want economic reform because they do not want to give up even a fraction of what they have acquired. But reform must come.

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Stephen Chan

@DrStephenChan

6 years

Yesterday I disagreed in Parliament with the UK Minister for Africa on increased sanctions. I wanted all sanctions to be lifted. They are used as an excuse for the Zimbabwe Government's mishandling of the economy.

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Stephen Chan

@DrStephenChan

1 year

Meanwhile, many speculated on rumours coming up from Harare of great tension & disagreements at the top of ZANU-PF as to best ways forward in the face of so much international criticism. An almost solid wall of criticism.

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Stephen Chan

@DrStephenChan

1 year

Mnangagwa’s presidency of Zimbabwe falls short of low bar set by Mugabe It almost makes one nostalgic for Mugabe. He asked me for a signed copy of my book on him, despite my (balanced) criticism of his presidency. Today's ZANU-PF has none of that class. I

Mnangagwa’s presidency of Zimbabwe falls short of low bar set by Mugabe

A worsening climate of fear and repression grips the country as the incumbent leader seeks a second term

www.ft.com

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Stephen Chan

@DrStephenChan

2 years

Auxillia Mnangagwa says she is at home in Belarus via @bmusonza Well, if I may make the obvious point that she feels at home in Europe's most backward & repressive country...

Auxillia Mnangagwa says she is at home in Belarus

MINSK, (BelTA) - The First Lady of Zimbabwe Auxillia Mnangagwa shared the details of her meeting with Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko as she spoke to

www.thezimbabwemail.com

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Stephen Chan

@DrStephenChan

4 years

When the Vatican's Ambassador personally visits the Archbishop after he was attacked by the Government, it represents the Vatican itself criticising the Government - in effect, withdrawing God's respect.

Apostolic Nuncio to Zimbabwe’ solidarity visit to Archbishop Ndlovu - Vatican News

Following a blistering attack on the Archbishop of Harare by the Zimbabwe Government, the Apostolic Nuncio in Zimbabwe has visited Archbishop Ndlovu ...

www.vaticannews.va

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Stephen Chan

@DrStephenChan

1 year

I've been asked by several interviewers today as to options left to Chamisa. At this stage, very few. The SADC presidents are likely, even if grudgingly, to attend the inauguration; the courts won't work and he is in any case short of formal evidence. He has to dig in and work

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Stephen Chan

@DrStephenChan

1 year

Ugandan Bobi Wine condemns Zim's Patriotic Bill Bobi Wine on the new Zimbabwean Patriotic Bill. Some African presidents might envy the bill but won't say so in public. Even those with authoritarian tendencies understand good international public relations.

Ugandan opposition leader Bobi Wine condemns Zim's Patriotic Bill; says it undermines democracy -...

Spread This NewsBy Staff Reporter UGANDAN opposition leader Bobi Wine has castigated the Zimbabwean Parliament for passing the Patriotic Bill in what he described as ‘another chapter of persecution’...

www.newzimbabwe.com

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Stephen Chan

@DrStephenChan

4 years

When I said in my earlier tweet today that the Zimbabwean Minister of Health should be a doctor, I should have pointed out that Obadiah Moyo had no recognised medical qualifications apart from those of a medical technician. It's a pretty situation when Presidents appoint fakes.

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Stephen Chan

@DrStephenChan

11 months

ZANU-PF (of course) won 9 of the 9 by-elections over the weekend. Chamisa needs to be consulting with all the senior members of the CCC. He can't seek to strategise alone. He also needs to reach out to other opposition figures who are not members of the CCC. In the meantime, the

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Stephen Chan

@DrStephenChan

4 years

In this amazing rant against the ANC's concern, despite the fact that SA hosts 5 million Zimbabweans, the ZANU-PF spokesman once again seeks to isolate Zimbabwe further. If SA sent 5 million Zimbabweans home, Mnangagwa's government would not survive.

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Stephen Chan

@DrStephenChan

1 year

But a mid-day observation related to 'dirty tricks', from fake posters distributed overnight in a coordinated operation - to terrifyingly degraded internet speed to hinder coordination, communication and reportage. This shot of the fake poster sent to me by official observers.

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Stephen Chan

@DrStephenChan

6 months

Nelson Chamisa dramatically left the CCC on 25 January. 5 months later his new 'blue' vehicle has achieved no traction, he himself makes no meaningful comment on Zimbabwean policy changes such as the ZiG, there are now several CCCs, Biti has retired from politics, ZANU-PF has

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Stephen Chan

@DrStephenChan

4 years

Zimbabwe declares nationwide curfew to curb virus via @BBCNews The problem for the government is that it needs to declare how this fits into an overall well-articulated COVID strategy. Right now there is no such strategy: with no facilities & no equipment

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Stephen Chan

@DrStephenChan

1 year

It seems ZEC hopes to announce the Presidential results tonight. This suggests ZEC needed no time to 'tailor' the results, so its seems a likely disappointment for the CCC, but in the face of an awful election in terms of freeness and fairness.

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Stephen Chan

@DrStephenChan

2 years

With my PhD student, Dr Joonwha Cho, who graduated today. He is on the way to becoming South Korea's leading expert on African affairs.

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Stephen Chan

@DrStephenChan

4 years

The protests planned for today in Zimbabwe were successfully stifled by battalions of soldiers & police with helicopters overhead. With 700% inflation, one of the highest rates in the world, how much money did all this cost? Is this the spending priority?

Scores of Zimbabwe protesters arrested, military in streets

HARARE, Zimbabwe (AP) — Scores of people were arrested Friday in Zimbabwe as hundreds of military troops as well as police attempted to thwart an anti-government protest, with streets empty and many...

apnews.com

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Stephen Chan

@DrStephenChan

2 years

I hasten to add that the image I posted earlier on 'Chan's Command for Change' was not my creation. Some witty, ironic, or plain cheeky person in Zimbabwe tried for a bit of satire. With reasonable success. I smiled but do disown being its creator.

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Stephen Chan

@DrStephenChan

2 years

Drove to Mbare tonight. The horrific traffic jams, made worse by nobody obeying traffic rules, was one thing; the potholed roads reminded me of Accra in 1981, when I trashed a LANDROVER (!). I thought Accra was the worst in Africa... Draw your own conclusions...

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Stephen Chan

@DrStephenChan

1 year

The fuller story of the disqualification of the 12 CCC candidates in Bulawayo. 'Strategic ambiguity' didn't work. And you don't need ambiguity in a situation where 12 seats were in your lap & all you had to do was file early.

Zimbabwe election: Court setback for main opposition | News24

The Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) was dealt a heavy blow in Bulawayo, one of its strongholds, after the court nullified the candidature of 12 of its parliamentary contestants ahead of the...

www.news24.com

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Stephen Chan

@DrStephenChan

3 years

In Zimbabwe, will Khupe leave Mwonzora? Will Chamisa finally change his party name? ZANU-PF doesn't have to do a thing, rumours of its hand behind the scene notwithstanding. The opposition needs no help in tearing itself apart. ZANU-PF can just sit back and smile.

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Stephen Chan

@DrStephenChan

1 year

This press conference was broken up by a truck load of ZANU-PF thugs. There seems no brake on bullying activities. In any case, the press briefing was to state the CCC view of the result trends to date, which the CCC suggests is running favourably for them.

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Stephen Chan

@DrStephenChan

1 year

I do hasten to add there is no truth whatsoever in this report. Pure fantasy. And I think Mr Chamisa is not at all anxious to listen to my views. But I have never trained an 'insurgent' in my life.

Chan on mission to train insurgents

www.herald.co.zw

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Stephen Chan

@DrStephenChan

2 years

My first shopping trip on this visit to Harare: to an OK supermarket. All prices marked in $ Zim. I asked to pay in $ US. No problem. The cashier's till had $ US in all denominations, getting change was done on the spot. I'm not sure how long the pretence of a $ Zim can last.

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Stephen Chan

@DrStephenChan

4 years

Zimbabwe minister accuses opposition of gun smuggling via @BBCNews This is ridiculous. It would take more than a few guns & militias. No one wants to take over Zimbabwe. For what reason? To pick up the huge cost of restoring a country that ruined itself?

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