afrol News, 23 June - Zimbabwean president Robert Mugabe has among others been labelled a crook, thug and murderer over ensuing political strife that finally prompted main opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai's withdrawal from presidential run-off poll on 27 June. Meanwhile, Mr Tsvangirai has sought refuge at the Dutch Embassy in Harare.

International reactions to the spiralling list of events in Zimbabwe have been extraordinary strong today. French Foreign Affairs Minister Bernard Kouchner, who called President Mugabe a crook and murderer was responding to Mr Tsvangirai's decision to pull out of the run-off, which has raised concerns from various key figures around the world.

"This man, and I am speaking of Mr Mugabe, who believes he has been designated by God, is nothing but a crook and a murderer. Mr Tsvangirai has thrown in the towel because his party supporters and especially the activists are being murdered," he said. Mr Kouchner noted that it was out of question for France to accept "this fake election" which he said would have a single candidate, adding that there was no question of accepting the result.

Mr Tsvangirai has himself cited lack of security for people of Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) during Friday poll as one of the reasons for his untimely withdrawal.

"We in the MDC have resolved that we will no longer participate in this violent, illegitimate sham of an election process. The courageous people of Zimbabwe, and the people of the MDC, have done everything humanly and democratically possible to deliver a new Zimbabwe and a new government," he said in the capital, Harare yesterday.

He reiterated that conditions in the country do not permit holding of a credible poll, adding that given the totality of these circumstances, they believed a credible election was impossible.

"We in the MDC cannot ask people to cast their vote on the 27th when that vote would cost them their lives. On 27 June, Mugabe has declared war, and we will not be part of that war. Our victory is certain, but it can only be delayed," Mr Tsvangirai noted.

Zimbabwean Minister of Justice, Patrick Chanamasa, countered that, saying this is the 11th time that MDC leader has threatened to withdraw from presidential run-off.

"On each occasion I have challenged him to put it in writing as required by the law. Tsvangirai went into the election thinking that it was a sprint and was not prepared for a marathon and wants to avoid defeat. He spent his time globe-trotting and gallivanting in Europe and left MDC supporters without leadership," Mr Chanamasa was quoted as saying.

He was adamant that they would proceed with their campaign to romp to victory on Friday, further accusing the MDC of stealing ruling ZANU PF's campaign material to disturb their own rally for purposes of propaganda and to have international community intervene in Zimbabwe's domestic affairs.

Abroad meanwhile, the Chairman of the African Union (AU) Commission, Jean Ping, noted that the development and increasing acts of violence in the run-up to the second round of presidential election are a matter of grave concern to Commission. Mr Ping stressed need for all Zimbabwean stakeholders to exercise restraint and reiterated his call for an immediate end to all acts of violence.

South African President Thabo Mbeki is of view that it is still necessary that Zimbabwean political leadership should get together and find a solution to challenges facing their land. "I would hope that leadership would still be open to a process which would result in them coming to some agreement about what happens to their country and that is most certainly what we would try to encourage," Mr Mbeki said.

However, his Zambian counterpart, Levy Mwanawasa, is of the notion that there is nothing to be shameful about in calling off the presidential run-off, until further notice. Mr Mwanawasa, who also currently heads the Southern African Development Community (SADC), where Zimbabwe is meember, said "Elections held in such an environment will not only be undemocratic but will also bring embarrassment to the region and the entire continent of Africa."

President Mwanawasa yesterday at a SADC press conference called for a postponement of Zimbabwe's presidential election run-off. Today, he went even further, saying that it is "scandalous for the SADC to remain silent on Zimbabwe."

Head of the Pan African Parliament observer mission, Marwick Khumalo, was not taken aback by MDC's decision, considering the fact that violence was not decreasing. "If anything, it was escalating. Here is a situation whereby one party is not free to campaign; one party has no access to public or state media; one party is not allowed to travel the length and breadth of this country as it pleases. So it became clear to some of us that it's becoming more and more a one-sided election," he was quoted saying.

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki Moon maintains that circumstances leading to Mr Tsvangirai's withdrawal clearly represents a deeply distressing development that does not bode well for future of democracy in Zimbabwe. Mr Ban said, "the campaign of violence and intimidation that has marred this election has done a great disservice to the people of the country and must end immediately."

White House Spokesman, Carlton Carroll, had his turn of a mouthful slashes at Mr Mugabe, calling for all parties to be given a chance to participate in a legitimate election and not be subject to intimidation and unlawful actions of government, armed militias and so-called war veterans. "The government of Zimbabwe and its thugs must stop the violence now," Mr Caroll lashed out.

Meanwhile, Zimbabwean police are said to have raided MDC headquarters, taking away people, computers and furniture, as political turmoil continues. An estimated 60 people were taken away in today's raid. Mr Tsvangirai himself has sought refuge at the Dutch Embassy in Harare, where he is being given protection against the ever-increasing attacks against opposition representatives.

The Dutch Foreign Ministry said Mr Tsvangirai had not requested asylum but had spent the night in the embassy. He was welcome to stay for his own security. Based in the Embassy, the opposition leader has called upon the international community to declare the presidential elections "to intervene to ensure that the elections are declared null and void."

By staff writers

© afrol News

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