THE SMART NEWS SOURCE | Feb 09 2010 14:43 | LAST UPDATED Feb 09 2010 14:43 |
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President Robert Mugabe has "declared war" in Zimbabwe, said opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai on Wednesday from inside the Dutch embassy in the capital, Harare. "It is not an election, that is what we keep on saying," Tsvangirai, who has withdrawn from Friday's presidential run-off and sought diplomatic protection, told Australia's Dateline television news programme. "This is not an election, it is war. Mugabe has declared war and we don't want to be part of it," Tsvangirai told the Special Broadcasting Service programme via telephone. Armed police cordoned off and raided a regional office of Tsvangirai's Movement for Democratic Change in the east of the country on Wednesday, a party spokesperson said. Call to isolate Mugabe Tsvangirai has urged the United Nations to isolate Mugabe and called for a peacekeeping force in Zimbabwe, where Mugabe supporters have carried out violent attacks on political opponents. Tsvangirai said on Sunday he was withdrawing from the presidential run-off race against Mugabe because his supporters would risk their lives by voting. The opposition leader won a first round in March but apparently did not get the absolute majority needed to avoid a run-off. Mugabe, who has held power for 28 years, has refused to call off the vote, shrugging off mounting international pressure including an unprecedented United Nations Security Council condemnation of violence. It said a free run-off election was impossible. Southern African leaders will hold an emergency meeting on Wednesday to discuss Zimbabwe's crisis. The leaders of Tanzania, Angola and Swaziland would attend the meeting in their capacity as the Southern African Development Community's troika organ on politics, defence and security, the Tanzanian government said in a statement. Mbeki said he would not attend. "We are not going to Swaziland. We have had no invitation to go to any meeting, especially Swaziland," said Mbeki's spokesperson Mukoni Ratshitanga. Tsvangirai told Dateline that it was impossible to contest the election as his party could not safely man polling booths in three quarters of the country. "The army, the militia, the war veterans have made it almost inaccessible to go anywhere in the country," he said. Tsvangirai said he sought diplomatic protection because of the constant threats against him, despite Mugabe's assurances that he was safe. "This is no joke, over the last three or so weeks I've been arrested, I've been harassed, I've been totally treated like a criminal, when I'm the leading contender in this election," he said. The opposition leader said he hoped mediation and negotiations could take place between all parties and that he would possibly consider a government of national unity. "You see an election is not a solution. Only a negotiated position would actually see this country come out of this crisis," said Tsvangirai. "If it [a government of national unity] is on the cards we will look at it, we will look at the merits," he said. "So whether Robert Mugabe is there or not, we are open to any negotiation but it has not been put to us. We will see what role he can play, but I think that one of the fundamental issues is that the March election result must be respected." No need for military intervention South Africa said on Thursday it does not believe there is a need for military intervention in Zimbabwe. "In our experience it is easy to talk about military action but putting it into effect is much more difficult," said Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister Aziz Pahad. "We do not believe there is any need for it in Zimbabwe. It is not realistic -- not possible." - Reuters, AFP TOPICS IN THIS ARTICLE
Comments
Joeman Makushu on June 25, 2008, 2:47 pm
As much as i believe there are problems in zim, i think Morgan is taking advantage of the situation to further his political ambitions. His call for sanctions and trade restrictions scare me. Simply because they are against the same people who he wants to rule. Sanctions do not affect Mr. Mugabe per se, when the pope died Mugabe even travelled to Rome regardless of sanctions. But the masses of Zimbabwe are the ones who suffer, they suffer the burden of an issolated economy. Regardless of whatever becomes the resolution in Zim i must warn Morgan that he must never forget that those who can do it for you can do it against you. His reliance on western nations is defeaning and makes me wonder if he is the right man for Zim. His solutions to Zim as reflected by his speeches and alliance with western nations, are not the best for the people of Zim and to a certain point are going to compromise the indipendence of the people of Zim.
Taban Matibe on June 25, 2008, 2:50 pm
I cannot believe the inability of Mbeki and ANC to lambaste/sanction and even threaten the likes of Mugabe. Does he not represent everything and more that the Apartheid regime did? The very fight that made Nelson Mandela the unbelievable human being he is? On principal they should take a stand and not allow him to detract from the region of Africa that ONCE offered a ray of light! South Africa's inactions and Mugabe's actions (Not forgetting those in Kenya of late) are the very fuel of Afro-pessimism. Where will South Africa be 20 years after it was freed? The same place as Zim?? I hope not but show me empirical evidence that supports otherwise?? I didn't think so, hence my decision to leave and add to a country that does not need it (UK). What a shame it is, and a traitor some may see me as, but what choice do I have, when at best I have a generation's time-frame, to make my mark in life? What is the self destructive force within Africa?
Duncan Jefferson on June 25, 2008, 2:56 pm
With A full respect I have for Mr. Tsvangirai, I think his decision not to contest for the election was wrong. At the same time I do fully respect his freedom of choice. I strongly believe that the people like Mr. Mugabe and many more others former dictators, understand only one language, the rebelion. I know it is not a good thing, but I beleive that for the time being and the right thing to do for Mr. Tsvangirai to go out of zimbabwe and to prepare for a rebellion somewhere. I beleive they are many foreing countries that does not like Mr. Mugabe and will be ready to see him out. For my own conscience I know very well it is not a right thing to do, but unfortunately is the only language the dictators like Idris Daby in Tchad they understand.
For my respectfull SADC leaders, I think it is too late for you to react. One african saying says " protection is better than cure". Mr. Mugabe has rubbish our region for a long time and you were not able to stop him. What makes you sure that you will do this time? You have let the whole region of southern africa down. To Mr Mbeki, thanks for the game you are playing. Let me warn you; The history will come after you up to your grave for letting the whole region down and especially the people of zimbabwe. I regret that my country south africa and many more generations to come will be reminded of your "quite diplomcay". To African Union, I have no words to express my dissapointments. Looking at you, I realise that we are lacking leadership in africa.Let the spirits of Nkuruma, Nyadru,Lumumba etc turns aganist you. I believe that you will send the likes of Mr Nelson Mandela to the early grave, because of your lack of leadership. Those who are ready to fight for the falling african hero Mr. Mugabe, I am very shamefull of calling you my fellow african. Mr. Tsvangirai and to all zimbabwean against to Mugabelogy,the histiry is in your side, just let it to do the work for you.
Kedebone Magoma on June 25, 2008, 3:02 pm
We South Africans should be truly ashamed of our government's paralysis in dealing with destruction caused by Mugabe in Zim. Mbeki is the leader of the most powerful nation on the continent. Yet, his shuttles off to Harare have returned zero. But I guess we should not be surprised considering how incompetent our government is at managing our country.
Planet Earth on June 26, 2008, 6:39 am
Comments from people like Joeman Makushu who castigated Tsvangirai for saying Mugabe declares War should not go unchalleged because they send wrong messages to people.I beg to differ with his school of thought .He fails to recognise that people in zimbabwe are suffering in in the hands of a murderous butcher.HE even says that the situation in zim can not be likened to War.Thats utter rubbish because u can justify opposition killings by the mugabe regime as not war becuase there aren;t mass killings.U dont need a rocket scientist to see that Mugabe is a ruthless dictator who rules by the sword.All dictors are afraid of free and fair elections we hve seen that from one party state from Iddi Amin and ruthlessness killings.We hve seen opponent killings from Hitler and we see it from Mugabe.U say Tsvangirai wanrs to appease his masters States.But u dont even have empirical evidence to substintiate your massive generalisation not backed by evidenvce.I would not be surprised if you Quote Mugabe as your evidence because from your comments we can come to a conclusion that you are indeed a Mugabe's puppert.
Tumi Modise on June 26, 2008, 2:07 pm
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There is nothing that his influencers will help Africa to solve it's challenges, as long as they are eyeing the precious wealth in Africa.
We will continue to be slave of our former master, unless if they could stop to pretend as if they want to help us solving our challenges.
I also don't see a reason for him to run to Netherlans Embassy,why does he want to tell the world that he lost hope to Africa.
The war that he want to engage and call for millitary is what he wanted to see early in the election. But because they were dissappointed that's why they think war to them is solution.
War will do no justice to Africa, i think the first solution to Zimbabwe problem is for US and Britain to step back and keep quite about Zimbabwe.
Because what they do best is to kill, they kill in Iraq and Afganistan, today i ask myself did their intervene help.
Thanks to Simba Makoni, he play his politics with african perception.
Sure