22 June 2008

Morgan Tsvangirai pulls out of Zimbabwean election

The BBC reports that Zimbabwe's opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai is pulling out of Friday's presidential run-off, thus handing victory to Mugabe. Mr Tsvangirai said there was no point running when elections would not be free and fair and "the outcome is determined by... Mugabe himself". He called on the global community to step in to protect Zimbabweans.

The MDC says at least 70 supporters have been killed in recent months. At a press conference on Sunday, Mr Tsvangirai said: "It is for the world to see there is no need to proceed with this so-called election if the outcome is determined by President Mugabe himself. We will not play the game of Mugabe."

On Sunday, the opposition was due to stage a rally in the capital but supporters of Mr Mugabe's Zanu-PF occupied the stadium venue and roads leading up to it. Witnesses reported seeing hundreds of youths around the venue wielding sticks, some chanting slogans, and others circling the stadium crammed onto the backs of trucks. They reportedly set upon opposition activists, leaving a number badly injured.

Mr Mugabe has said he will never accept a Zimbabwe run by the MDC. On Saturday, South Africa sent two mediators to Harare, just days after its President, Thabo Mbeki, went to Zimbabwe himself, for separate talks with Mr Mugabe and Mr Tsvangirai, possibly a final effort to persuade Mr Mugabe to cancel the election run-off, and to persuade both sides to begin negotiations on a government of national unity.

Well it seems that Mugabe got his victory. May he choke on it.

14 comments:

CherryPie said...

Yes and the President and General Secretary of the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions are due in court tomorrow facing charges of spreading falsehoods prejudicial to the state.

jams o donnell said...

That is an utter disgrace Cherie

beakerkin said...

I had no doubt about this whatsoever.
The left glossed over the tyranical
nature of Mugabe when it ditched apartheid.

He needs to go and be placed on trial
for crimes against humanity.

jams o donnell said...

I'm not sure that's going to happen. I think the Grim Reaper will get him before he was ever to see a judge.

CherryPie said...

I agree it is is terrible!

If you are interested more details are on the PCS Website.

Sean Jeating said...

Trying to keep contenance I shall rather retire.
The peace of the night.

jams o donnell said...

Thanks for the link Cherie. I suppose it shows how often I go to teh union website....

Probably the best action Sean!

Nunyaa said...

Saddam Hussein was dealt with, whether you agree on his punishment or not, it amazes me that the leaders of the world don't do something about this tyrant.

jams o donnell said...

The cynical answer is no oil of course Nunyaa. Mugabe still has support ofmany of his neighbours. He is seen as a revolutionary leader. I think Mbeki should have leant on him though.

James Higham said...

Quite astounding how these despots get into power and then cling on to it to the tune of untold misery.

By the way, Jams, you realize it's now so difficult to get into your site. It buggers up the settings on the computer too. I suspect it is too much java [I moved my blogrolls to a separate site] but it might be all the graphics on the front page.

If you cut down the posts to 8 on the front page, it would speed things up.

Welshcakes and I have both noticed the problem.

CherryPie said...

I get emails from the PCS regional office that alert me to current campaigns ;-)

jams o donnell said...

THanks James. I'll try and do something about that.

Ah Cherie I will have to sign up!

MC Fanon said...

Jams, I apologize for not visiting your blog more in the last few months. My time has been scarce and it looks like I've missed out on some good work.

I too was saddened at hearing about Tsvangirai ending his campaign. On one hand, I understand the enormous political pressure and intimidation his movement faced. That they remained in the race this long is a testament to their bravery in the face of utter tyranny. Nevertheless, I feel as though he should have remained in the election to the bitter end, if for no other reason than to remove all doubt that electoral means had failed in Zimbabwe.

Unfortunately, I don't see any other means of Mugabe and the Zanu-PF giving up power beyond a violent struggle. Given what appears to be popular sentiment in the African nation, I think the revolutionaries would have support on their side.

jams o donnell said...

Well it does seem that Mugabe will relinquish power when it is clawed out of his cold dead hands I daresay his cronies will do what they can to maintain the power structure. A reviolution may topple them but what then? I just don;t have an answer. Sadly the people of Zim will be facing a lot more anguish before things get better.