Morgan Tsvangirai to compete in run-off
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Saturday, May 10, 2008
- 9 July 2008: G8 members release statement on Zimbabwe
- 7 July 2008: 2008 G8 summit launched in Hokkaido, Japan
- 2 July 2008: Zimbabwean opposition leader rejects calls for power sharing talks
- 1 July 2008: Mugabe spokeperson tells critics to 'go hang'
- 30 June 2008: Kenyan Prime Minister calls for suspension of Mugabe from African Union
Morgan Tsvangirai, leader of Zimbabwe's main opposition party, the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC), has said today that he will be standing for the presidential run-off election against incumbent Robert Mugabe.
"The MDC has decided that we will contest the run-off election," he told reporters at a conference in Pretoria, South Africa, where he has been staying for the last month. He said his supporters would feel "betrayed" if he didn't stand and that the people are "ready for the final round".
Despite the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission's (ZEC) official declaration that Mr. Tsvangirai won 47.9% against Mr. Mugabe's 43.2% in the first round, the MDC claims that they won it outright, gaining over 50%. They are sure that Mugabe's Zanu-PF party have used the time since the first round to rig votes and intimidate the electorate.
The MDC has also called for "unfettered access of all international observers," eventhough Mr. Mugabe has imposed bans on journalists from outside Zimbabwe reporting within the country.
The ZEC has yet to announce when the run-off will take place, but Mr. Tsvangirai said it should take place by 23 May.
Sources
- "Tsvangirai to contest presidential run-off". News24, May 10, 2008
- "Tsvangirai to run in second round". BBC News Online, May 10, 2008
- Phumza Macanda "Zimbabwe's MDC to contest run-off against Mugabe". Reuters, May 10, 2008
