23.6.2008
Mr
Tsvangirai has been repeatedly arrested in the run-up
to the presidential ballot. (AFP Photo: Alexander Joe)
Zimbabwean
opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai has
pulled out of a run-off election against President Robert
Mugabe, saying a free and fair poll was impossible in
the current climate of violence.
Speaking
only hours after his opposition Movement for Democratic
Change (MDC) reported its rally had been broken up by
pro-Mugabe youth militia, Mr Tsvangirai called on the
United Nations and the African Union to intervene to stop
"genocide" in the former British colony.
"We
in the MDC have resolved that we will no longer participate
in this violent, illegitimate sham of an election process,"
he told reporters in Harare.
The
MDC and Mr Tsvangirai, who beat Mr Mugabe in a March 29
vote but failed to win the absolute majority needed to
avoid a second ballot, have repeatedly accused government
security forces and militia of intimidation and strong-arm
tactics to ensure a Mugabe victory in the June 27 poll.
Mr
Tsvangirai repeated this on Sunday, saying there was a
state-sponsored plot to keep the 84-year-old Mr Mugabe
in power.
"We
in the MDC cannot ask them (the voters) to cast their
vote on June 27, when that vote could cost them their
lives," he said.
'Chickened out'
Deputy
Information Minister Bright Matonga says Mr Tsvangirai
has could have shown more bravery and decided to contest
the run-off.
"I
don't think it will be difficult for him to pull out,"
he said.
"If
he is hoping for a democratic change, how will you fight
for democracy if you pull out? The reason why he pulled
out is because he has chickened out."
That
sentiment has been echoed by Tom Cargill, the manager
of the Africa program at Chatham House, who says the decision
could have played into the hands of Mr Mugabe.
"It
means Robert Mugabe is the legitimate president of Zimbabwe
as far as the legal postition is concerned. I think it
will make it harder for regional leaders to press him
because he can claim his position is on the basis of the
constitution," he said.
"There
is no chance for the MDC to legitimately call for a government
of national unity within the legal system of Zimbabwe.
They can rightly claim the process was abused but not
the outcome because they did not go all the way.
"There
is not a huge amount (regional countries) can do. What
Mugabe has stressed since the year dot is sovereignty.
Part of that is directed against Western colonial interests,
but it can be as effectively directed against regional
leaders"
Government response
Zimbabwe
Justice Minister Patrick Chinamasa says Mr Tsvangirai
must write formally to the ZEC (Zimbabwe Electoral Commission)
advising that he is withdrawing from the race.
"In
which event there will be one candidate, meaning there
will not be a poll. If he doesn't, the poll will take
place," he said.
Mr
Chinamasa refuted allegations that the ruling party had
used violence to force the MDC out of the poll.
"With
respect to the reasons he gave for withdrawing, it is
not true that it's due to political violence because it
is his party that has been instigating violence,"
he said.
"He
spent a lot of time outside the country talking to people
who do not vote."
South
Africa has urged Zimbabwe's opposition to continue with
talks to find a solution to the political problems in
the country.
"We
are very encouraged that Mr Tsvangirai, himself, says
he is not closing the door completely on negotiations,"
said Mukoni Ratshitanga, spokesman for South African President
Thabo Mbeki, who is mediating between Mr Mugabe and Mr
Tsvangirai.
Ongoing oppression
Mr
Tsvangirai, who himself had been detained by police five
times while campaigning, said 86 MDC supporters had been
killed and 200,000 displaced from their homes.
Mr
Mugabe has repeatedly vowed never to turn over power to
the opposition, which he brands a puppet of Britain and
the United States.
Mr
Mugabe, who has ruled since independence from Britain
in 1980, has blamed the political violence on the opposition
and denies security forces have been responsible for brutal
actions.
The
veteran leader has presided over a ruinous slide in a
once prosperous economy. Millions have fled the political
and economic crisis to neighbouring states.
The
MDC earlier said that thousands of youth militia loyal
to Mr Mugabe poured into an MDC rally in Harare armed
with iron bars and sticks, beating journalists and forcing
election observers to flee.
Police
had banned the rally, which was to be the highlight of
Mr Tsvangirai's stormy election campaign, but a high court
in Harare overturned the police ban on Saturday.
Mr
Tsvangirai said he won the March vote outright and only
reluctantly agreed to a run-off. The state-run media has
refused to run the opposition's political ads and police
have blocked some of its rallies.
Tendai
Biti, a top MDC official and lieutenant to Tsvangirai,
is in custody on a treason charge and other offences that
carry a possible death penalty. A magistrate has ordered
him held until at least July 7.
There
is, however, pressure on Mr Mugabe's government to put
an end to the violence.
A
growing chorus of African leaders added their voices to
concerns that the election will be illegitimate.
Reuters/AFP/BBC
Courtesy - ABC