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Zimbabwe's opposition leader said he is due to hold talks with President Robert Mugabe "within this coming week" to try to resolve the political crisis. Morgan Tsvangirai said he was returning to Zimbabwe for the first time in two months, and said he was still committed to an "inclusive" government.
In 1999 Tsvangirai founded and organised the Movement for Democratic Change, an opposition party opposed to President Robert Mugabe and the ZANU-PF ruling party. He helped to defeat the February 2000 constitutional referendum, successfully campaigning against it along with the National Constitutional Assembly. Tsvangirai lost the March 2002 presidential election to Mugabe. The election provoked widespread allegations that Mugabe had rigged the election through the use of violence, media bias, and manipulation of the voters' roll leading to abnormally high pro-Mugabe turnout in some areas.
Tsvangirai was arrested after the government alleged that he had threatened President Robert Mugabe. The Movement for Democratic Change leader had told 40,000 supporters at a rally in Harare that if Mr Mugabe did not want to step down before the next elections scheduled for 2002 "we will remove you violently." However, Tsvangirai said that he was giving a warning to President Mugabe to consider history. "There is a long line of dictators who have refused to go peacefully — and the people have removed them violently," he said. The courts dismissed the charges.
In May, 2003 Tsvangirai was arrested on a Friday afternoon shortly after giving a press conference, the government alleged he had incited violence. In the press conference he had said:
From Monday, 2 June, up to today, 6 June, Mugabe was not in charge of this country. He was busy marshaling his forces of repression against the sovereign will of the people of Zimbabwe. However, even in the context of the brutalities inflicted upon them, the people's spirit of resistance was not broken. The sound of gunfire will never silence their demand for change and freedom.
According to lawyer Tendai Biti, the Secretary-General of the MDC and an MP for Harare East, who was arrested along with Tsvangirai, Tsvangirai suffered a cracked skull and "must have passed out at least three times." Tsvangirai was subsequently admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) at a local hospital.[19] Reports from BBC News indicate that Tsvangirai suffered from a fractured skull and received blood transfusions for internal bleeding. Although the incident was a clear case of political violence ordered by Robert Mugabe, Tsvangirai has since had very little political support from surrounding African countries.
On 22 June 2008, Tsvangirai announced at a press conference that he was withdrawing from the run-off, describing it as a "violent sham" and saying that his supporters risked being killed if they voted for him. He vowed that the MDC would ultimately prevail and that its victory could "only be delayed."[61]. Shortly after making this announcement, Mr Tsvangirai sought refuge at the Dutch Embassy in Harare, citing concerns for his safety. He did not seek political asylum
On 15 September 2008, the leaders of the 14-member Southern African Development Community witnessed the signing of the power-sharing agreement, brokered by South African leader Thabo Mbeki. With symbolic handshake and warm smiles at the Rainbow Towers hotel, in Harare, Mugabe and Tsvangirai signed the deal to end violent political crisis provides. As provided, Robert Mugabe will remain president, Morgan Tsvangirai will become prime minister, [70] the MDC will control the police, Mugabe’s Zanu (PF) will command the Army, and Arthur Mutambara becomes deputy prime minister.[
Originally posted by franspeakfree
I would of loved to be a fly on the wall when Mugabe 'arrested' Morgan Tsvangirai during the presidential election.
My guess is that they brokered the deal during that time. Also I have thought recently about this what if Morgan Tsvangirai is a set up by the powers that be and indeed that mugabe and morgan get on like a house on fire.
Like Bush and Bin laden
Originally posted by Chadwickus
Originally posted by franspeakfree
I would of loved to be a fly on the wall when Mugabe 'arrested' Morgan Tsvangirai during the presidential election.
My guess is that they brokered the deal during that time. Also I have thought recently about this what if Morgan Tsvangirai is a set up by the powers that be and indeed that mugabe and morgan get on like a house on fire.
Like Bush and Bin laden
I'm doubtful, getting a cracked skull and a blood transfusion seems quite extreme for 'buddies' even ones pretending to be enemies.
I can understand why he's doing it, for the people of Zimbabwe, but if there is ever a time for an assassination of Mugabe, this surely is it.
Zimbabwe's opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai has been sworn in as prime minister in a unity government with President Robert Mugabe.
Mr Tsvangirai won the first round of last year's presidential election - but he withdrew from the run-off, citing violence against his supporters.
However he later agreed to share power with Mr Mugabe.
In a speech after his inauguration, Mr Tsvangirai called for an end to human rights abuses and political violence.
He also pledged to do all in his power to help alleviate the suffering of Zimbabweans.
Originally posted by Chadwickus
reply to post by franspeakfree
Well there has been mass international outcry regarding the whole situation.
Why the UN hasn't intervened is unusual indeed.