Tendai Bidi, MDC Secretary General

© MDC

afrol News, 25 June - Zimbabwe’s opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai, who was seeking refuge at the Dutch embassy in Harare on Sunday after announcing his withdrawal from 27 June polls, today said neither Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) nor the international society would accept Friday’s planned election.

In a statement released today, Mr Tsvangirai said MDC has officially pulled out from what would otherwise have “been a sham election”.

“Our decision to pull out of the election has been supported within the region, continent and world over. We remain convinced, as is the rest of the world, that our decision to pull out of the election was in the best interest of the people of Zimbabwe,” said MDC leader.

Mr Tsvangirai’s conformation of withdrawal comes after Zimbabwe Electoral Commission had termed his withdrawal from the 27 June presidential run offs race "unconstitutional", saying he did not follow constitutional procedures.

Mr Tsvangirai’s view to resolve the current political impasse in Zimbabwe, said all structures and infrastructure of violence should be disbanded, with war veterans and young militia being integrated into society.

He further said humanitarian assistance which Mr Mugabe’s regime banned in the country for allegedly campaigning for opposition, must be allowed back to feed the hungry in Zimbabwe.

“No government should have anything to fear from humanitarian programs. Our people are starving and dying of preventable and curable diseases, and need immediate assistance,” MDC leader emphasised, saying all House of Assembly and Senate members elected on 29 March must be sworn in and convene urgently to conduct normal legislative business.

He also urged ruling Zanu PF to free all political detainees, especially MDC Secretary General Tendai Biti who has been so instrumental in all MDC’s ‘plans and discussions’.

“We have always maintained that the Zimbabwean problem is an African problem that requires an African solution. To this end, I am asking the African Union and SADC to lead an expanded initiative, supported by United Nations, to manage the transitional process,” he said.

He called on Africa Union to facilitate a team eminent Africans and set up a transitional period which takes into account the will of the people of Zimbabwe.

“I want to emphasize that the basis of any settlement must recognize fundamental principle of democracy, the respect for will of the people choose their own leadership. Over and above this, the Zimbabwe political solution must recognize the following stability, inclusivity, acceptability, and credibility,” he added.

Since 29 March polls, Zimbabwe has been plagued by series of violence perpetrated by Mr Mugabe’s regime with more 60 MDC supporters killed while thousands are displaced.

By staff writer

© afrol News

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