Nelson Chamisa Launches UK Diaspora Consultation Tour Under Agenda 2026
By Southerton Business Times Reporter | HARARE
Former Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) leader Nelson Chamisa is set to begin a Diaspora Citizens Consultation, Engagement and Listening Tour in the United Kingdom this week as he expands consultations on his proposed political movement, Agenda 2026. The tour will take Chamisa to London on Thursday, Manchester on Friday and Corby on Sunday, where he is expected to meet Zimbabweans living in the UK to gather views on the country's political and economic future. Chamisa resigned as CCC leader in January 2024, alleging that the opposition party had been infiltrated. Since then, he has been consulting citizens inside and outside Zimbabwe on what he describes as a new political platform under the banner Agenda 2026.
In a statement issued on 22 July, Chamisa said the UK engagement is part of a broader consultation process aimed at ensuring Zimbabweans play a central role in shaping the country's future.
"The tour is intended to listen, engage and hear directly from Zimbabweans in the diaspora on the challenges, opportunities and future of our nation," the statement said.
His office said the proposed movement would be built through extensive public consultations rather than being imposed from the top down.
"The New must be, and is, the product of broad-based citizen consultation. Born out of listening. Born out of engagement. Born out of the conviction that citizens define the future of their nation."
Chamisa's office said the consultations recognise the important contribution made by Zimbabweans living abroad.
"With close to five million citizens living beyond our borders, the diaspora is not a peripheral constituency. It is an integral part of our nation."
The statement also renewed calls for Zimbabweans in the diaspora to be granted the right to vote in national elections.
"For too long, the old order has welcomed billions in diaspora remittances while denying those same citizens the fundamental democratic right to vote."
It added:
"The New rejects that contradiction. It affirms the diaspora's rightful place in shaping Zimbabwe's future. Every citizen matters. Every citizen has a voice. No border should bar any citizen from The New."
The UK meetings form part of Chamisa's ongoing consultations with Zimbabweans both at home and abroad following his departure from the CCC. He has not yet formally launched a new political party but has repeatedly said the consultation process will determine the structure, values and direction of the proposed movement. Political analysts say engaging the Zimbabwean diaspora could strengthen support for any future political formation, given the community's significant economic contribution through remittances and its continued interest in Zimbabwe's governance and development.
Nelson Chamisa UK tour
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