Morgan Tsvangirai

© MDC

afrol News, 22 June - Opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai today withdrew from the presidential run-off election slated for Friday, saying he could not ask people to vote for him, thus risking their lives. Mr Tsvangirai won the first election round.

The leader of Zimbabwe's opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) today announced he would not play part in the spiralling political violence in the country, initiated by President Robert Mugabe's ruling ZANU-PF party after Mr Tsvangirai won the first round of this year's presidential election.

Mr Tsvangirai stated that President Mugabe had "declared war" on the opposition and the Zimbabwean people. The 84-year-old President has made it clear he will not tolerate defeat in the 27 June polls, threatening civil war if Mr Tsvangirai is declared winner. During the last few weeks, several MDC supporters have been slaughtered in Zimbabwe, while hundreds of thousands are denied food aid over being suspected MDC voters.

"We will no longer participate in the violent illegitimate sham of an election process," Tsvangirai declared. The announcement comes after pressure on the MDC leader and President Mugabe to call off the poll and seek to establish a unity government. President Mugabe however has rejected any such call, saying "only God" can remove him from power.

According to Zimbabwean Justice Minister Patrick Chinamasa, the MDC leader's withdrawal will mean Friday's elections are called off and President Mugabe will be declared re-elected. Minister Chinamasa however said Mr Tsvangirai first must inform the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) in a formal request. "If he doesn't, the poll will take place," the Minister said.

Mr Tsvangirai is believed to have feared that a formal victory to President Mugabe - reflecting an increasingly terrified electorate - only would cement the aging leader's grip on power. Through intimidation and/or manipulation, Mr Mugabe would be announced the winner of the run-off in any way, most observers believed. Even fellow African state leaders have emphasised that there were no conditions for free and fair elections in Zimbabwe now.

Given the strong criticism against President Mugabe from other African governments, Mr Tsvangirai now hopes for an African intervention in Zimbabwe. The MDC leader now can say he has acted in a very responsible way and claim that President Mugabe's continued hold on power is illegal.

By staff writers

© afrol News

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