Opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai pulled out of Zimbabwe's violence-wracked presidential runoff on Sunday, declaring that the election was no longer credible and the loss of life among his supporters was simply too high. The announcement cleared the way for President Robert Mugabe to continue his 28-year rule, despite mounting condemnation from even loyal African allies that the former independence hero has become a despot who has bankrupted the country's once thriving economy.
Tsvangirai addressed a news conference on Sunday in Zimbabwe's capital after thousands of militants loyal to Mugabe prevented opposition supporters from gathering for its main campaign rally. Tsvangirai called on the United Nations, the European Union and the Southern African regional bloc to intervene. He said he would put forward new proposals by Wednesday on how take the country forward. The opposition has repeatedly said it would welcome a government of "national healing" including ruling ZANU-PF party members but not Mugabe himself. Despite him dropping out of the race, Friday's runoff would go ahead in accordance with the constitution according to Zimbabwean Information Minister, to prove Zimbabweans' support for Mugabe, who has held power since independence from Britain in 1980.
Tsvangirai won the first round of the presidential election on March 29, but did not gain an outright majority against 84-year-old Mugabe. That campaign was generally peaceful, but the runoff has been overshadowed by violence and intimidation, especially in rural areas. Independent human rights groups say 85 people have died and tens of thousands have been displaced from their homes, most of them opposition supporters. Today, world powers have voiced out their concern over the issue. Both London and Washington said they were prepared to raise their concerns in the United Nations Security Council on Monday while UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon thought Tsvangirai's decision was a "deeply distressing development" that did not bode well for the future of democracy in Zimbabwe, his spokesman said. Meanwhile, the European Union's foreign policy chief Javier Solana called the election a "travesty of democracy." [End of report]
When I heard the news that Tsvangirai was dropping out of the race yesterday, I was very disappointed but not the least surprise. I don't think he has any choice but to quit not because he thinks he will not stand a chance against Mugabe in the presidential runoff later, but because he was worried that more and more supporters of him and his party will be kill if he stayed on even though it is only a few more days till the runoff. There is no doubt in my mind that the people behind the killings and violence has links with Mugabe himself even though he rejects the opposition claims that he was responsible for it. He even said recently that 'only God' can remove him from power which clearly shows what kind of man he is. I think by saying that, Mugabe is trying to say that he is willing to do everything in his power to ensure that he will still be the president of the country after the runoff, even if it means using measures of violence and as long as the violence continues, there is no chance that the election will be free and fair. I don't think democracy still exist in the country. It is either Mugabe's way or no other way.
Zimbabwe used to be one of the countries in Africa that prosper and it's people living happily and peacefully. Other African nation used to look upon Zimbabwe as the country they should be like but right now, most of its people are living in extreme poverty and basic supplies of food and other necessities are lacking. Anyone who dares to go up against Mugabe is either being imprison or attack and that is what we are seeing now in Zimbabwe. I don't know what is the point of still having the runoff when Tsvangirai has quit. World powers need to do more to restore democracy and stability in the country. The situation in Zimbabwe is unacceptable. I don't mind if Mugabe wins the presidential runoff but it has to be done in a free and fair manner, not through violence and fear. The only thing that is clear now is that the situation there is going to get much more complicated and the only thing that could bring peace and stability back in the country is I think, intervention from the world major powers. It's high time that they stop the condemning and take some actions.
Whatever it is, I just hope the violence and killing will be put to a stop immediately and that the situation in the country will change for the better whatever the outcome will be. Till next time, see ya.
*The report was taken from Associated Press and AFP.
No comments:
Post a Comment