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Zimbabwe: Tsvangirai Sets Terms for Run-Off
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Zimbabwe Standard (Harare)
10 May 2008
Posted to the web 11 May 2008
Walter Marwizi
MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai yesterday set down conditions for taking part in the Presidential election run-off as the African Union (AU) piled pressure on President Robert Mugabe to ensure this second round of voting was held in accordance with the electoral laws.
Tsvangirai announced in Pretoria he was ready for the run-off, despite widespread concerns it would not be free and fair.
He said he would only participate in the poll, to be held "no later than 24 May", if conditions guaranteeing free and fair election were in place.
To forestall an escalation of violence in the run-up to voting, MDC sources disclosed the party would press for a peacekeeping force from the Southern Africa Development Community (Sadc) and African Union that would ensure the election was held in peace.
According to the Electoral Act, a run-off has to be held within 21 days from the date of the announcement of results.
Tsvangirai said the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC), heavily criticised for delaying the announcement of results of the 29 March election, should be reconstituted.
He made the announcement after chairing a two-day meeting with top officials of both factions of the MDC, who have formed a parliamentary coalition.
Trade union representatives and civil society organisations attended the meeting, called to consult on whether or not Tsvangirai should participate in a run-off in the wake of mounting violence on opposition supporters.
Sources at the Pretoria meeting said it was felt if Tsvangirai did not enter the run-off, it would be a betrayal of those "who have died, were maimed, suffered or lost their property in the violence perpetrated by soldiers, militias and war veterans".
Tsvangirai is expected to announce this week a special fund to assist the victims, mostly in the farming and rural communities.
The Standard understands that Tsvangirai left for Angola yesterday afternoon, where he was scheduled to meet President Eduardo dos Santos and ask for the peace keeping mission.
Dos Santos is the chairman of the SADC troika on Politics, Defence and Security.
Aides expected Tsvangirai back in SA yesterday. They said he would "in a day or two" return to Zimbabwe to be with party members who have borne the brunt of the violence.
Tsvangirai has been staying in Botswana for the past few weeks, hosted by the government there. He used his base to ratchet up pressure against Mugabe.
Partly as a result of Tsvangirai's diplomatic efforts, Mugabe has started to come under pressure from his traditional backers -- African leaders -- to stop violence and allow for a free and fair run-off.
While the African Union (AU) had supported Mugabe in the past, sources in Addis Ababa said the continental body had shifted its stance against the veteran politician in recent weeks, alarmed by the delay in announcing the Presidential election results and the violence that followed.
AU officials said the body would no longer sit idly by and watch Mugabe continue his "dangerous circus", but would play an active role in finding a solution to the crisis.
The AU would leave room for SA President Thabo Mbeki, who held talks with Mugabe on Friday, to play the key role assigned to him by the regional grouping.
Emmerson Mnangagwa has said Zanu PF wanted electoral rules changed to ensure Mugabe would not be "prejudiced" by non-government organisations and some ZEC officials.
But Jean Ping, the chairperson of the AU Commission (AUC) was forthright about the AU's desire to see the run-off "undertaken as provided for in the Electoral Act".
Ping, who met Mugabe on Monday, stressed the need for the "best possible conditions" for Zimbabweans to exercise their democratic right to choose their leader, adding the AU would not accept a change in electoral conditions.
"In the run-up to the second round of the Presidential Poll, the AU emphasizes the need for Zimbabwe to implement the conditions set out in the Declaration on the Principles Governing Democratic Elections in Africa," he said, adding the AU "urges agreements reached and the conditions prevailing prior to the 29 March polls be upheld; appeals to all the Zimbabwe political actors to conduct their activities in a free, transparent, tolerant and non-violent manner to enable Zimbabweans exercise their democratic rights".
Patrick Chinamasa, the Minister of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs could not be reached for comment yesterday.
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Asked to comment on Tsvangirai's demands, Mnangagwa said yesterday: "We follow the laws of the country", before referring questions to Chinamasa.
Mugabe should set realistic requirements for taking part in a run-off: 1) No one laughs at me in public, 2) I will get a plane ticket to anywhere that will take me when I lose again, and 3) outside observers will be welcomed to observe the election because, (this time at least), I will be honest, and by losing will have a politically honourable way out of the disgusting economic mess I have created through my tribalism and kleptocracy.
Seems to this Canadian that these three requirements would be a start. And I pray that some other African leader will... [Read Full Text]
Martin, you are a classical fool and idiot, who still believe that you have the right stuff. I read a lot of bitterness because most likely you are a former disgraced “Rhodesian” or South African. I bet your life is not that easy out there in Canada. Most White Africans have had a hard time finding employment abroad. Most are relegated to toilet cleaning. At least you have to do you own gardening and toilet cleaning in Canada.
Dear Phiri:
It would be so easy if you were right, but alas! Not so. I observe, I travel, I see, inside and outside Africa. Mugabe is an internationally-derided kleptomaniac who once had a wonderful idea, and worked hard to make it come true. Now he's in the way of justice, of peace, of truth, of advancement; all the things he said he believed in. He should leave Zim now before he does more damage. It is time for others, with a better vision for Zim NOW, to lead. He is yesterday's... [Read Full Text]
Well Said Martin!
we are just tired of people who are just saying things like the UN without giving the solutins. If they cannot help through action they can as well not say nothing about it. it is naked truth that the people rae suffering what is required now is assistance, those in power cannot give out their power easily but who is suffering the general populace. if an international body can afford to let the politicians to make people suffer this much then l dont their relevance.
we are just tired of people who are just saying things like the UN without giving the solutins. If they cannot help through action they can as well say nothing about it. it is naked truth that the people are suffering what is required now is assistance, those in power cannot give out their power easily but who is suffering the general populace. if an international body can afford to let the politicians to make people suffer this much then l dont their relevance. HELP US GET RID OF THIS VIMPIRE ___MUGABE
... [Read Full Text]
we are just tired of people who are just saying things like the UN without giving the solutions. If they cannot help through action they can as well say nothing about it. it is naked truth that the people are suffering what is required now is assistance, those in power cannot give out their power easily but who is suffering the general populace. if an international body can afford to let the politicians to make people suffer this much then l dont their relevance. HELP US GET RID OF THIS VIMPIRE ___MUGABE
... [Read Full Text]
Bee Free, do you notice that if you do not praise Mugabe for killing his own people, driving his country to the ground and everything else Mugabe is notorious for, Phiri does not like you. He calls you idiot,racist, Rhodesian or South African. What Martin In Canada said is what he has observed and I too say kudos. Phiri, what is wrong about ANY person cleaning toilets? Is it so beneath you? I presume Phiri is an African last name and if I am not mistaken a Malawian name - very humble people.If you are of their stock - what... [Read Full Text]
Phiri yet again you post complete nonsense with no facts to back up your claims. I know hundreds of white Zimbos living in the UK, none of them are "toilet cleaners". Zimbabweans, black or white, usually find it quite easy to find jobs here because they are hard workers.
You know, you should go and live in the UK for a few years and learn what it's really all about. Clearly you know almost nothing about what Britain is like. There is more mix of races and cultures here than you could imagine, and the human rights are some of... [Read Full Text]
mindpower; It appears like what you call fact is what only comes from your list, which would be quite unfortunate. Having no white Zimbo "toilet cleaners" from your list does not mean there are no white Zimbos cleaning toilets as part of their jobs in UK. In any case if, UK citizens could work in such jobs, why not any other UK resident? I am glad most who do realy matter in shaping events that would change Zimbabwe do not get to read most of these comments, otherwise some of these comments lack real substance and are just pathetic. Lets... [Read Full Text]
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