Opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai has quit Zimbabwe’s run-off presidential election against Robert Mugabe, saying the vote cannot be free and fair.
‘We in the MDC cannot ask them to cast their vote on the 27th when that vote would cost them their lives,’ Tsvangirai told reporters. ‘We will no longer participate in the violent illegitimate sham of an election process.’
AFP reports the opposition chief said Mugabe had ‘declared war by saying that the bullet has replaced the ballot.’
‘We believe an election that reflects the will of the people is impossible,’ he said, as he appealed to the United Nations, African Union and regional body SADC to ‘intervene and stop the genocide’.
Sunday’s decision almost certainly handed victory by default to Mugabe, 84, who has ruled Zimbabwe since independence from Britain in 1980.
In reaction to the announcement by Zimbabwean opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai that he is pulling out of the June 27 presidential election run-off against President Robert Mugabe, Reuters reports Patrick Chinamasa, Zimbabwean Justice Minister said ‘Tsvangirai must write formally to 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.’
‘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 spent a lot of time outside the country talking to people who do not vote.
On the legitimacy of Mugabe’s apparent victory be default: ‘What legitimacy do you lose when a candidate withdraws, fearing defeat? The situation on the ground is now very supportive of us and Tsvangirai knows he faces certain defeat.
On calls for SADC, AU and UN intervention: ‘There’s no genocide taking place anywhere, justifying any intervention. He’s only saying that to bring foreign intervention in this country
Earlier in the day, new ziana reports Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) said it is ready for the presidential run-off on Friday.
It said Preparations were also ready for three parliamentary by-elections to be held on the same day.
‘ZEC wishes to advise the public that the commission is ready to conduct the 2008 presidential run-off and three House of Assembly by-elections,’ it said in a statement.
Polling officers to be trained this week will be deployed to their stations on Thursday.
Opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai is challenging Robert Mugabe who has been ruling since independence in 1980.
Supporters of their respective Movement for Democratic Party and Zanu PF have been locked in a violent campaign in which hundreds had died so far.
A total of 370 foreign and local observers and 155 foreign and local journalists had accredited with the commission.
The multi-party liaison committee had political parties and stakeholders to ensure the poll would be free and fair.
On Monday the commission would brief stakeholders in Harare on the progress for the run-off.
ENDS/CBM/BK/ MK/ZANIS…………LUSAKA
This battle is not for the faintheartheart Zims.Morgan is a bit of a coward in my opinion as he either quits or runs out to another country leaving the desperate Zims to suffer.Why quit before trying?Even if we all know that Mugabe will rig the elections Morgan should have just gone ahead.Yes there has been a lot of intimidation but he is just showing the entire world how much he is not president material.Now they are apealing to the whole world and the whole world is concetrated in sorting out the economic crunch.
WHEN THE GOING GETS TOUGH THE TOUGH GETS GOING
It takes 2 fools to fight—-discretion is the better side of velour.
Morgan is a coward. He ran away from his people immediately after the March elections and now he has disappointed his same people that were relying on him as an alternative to the current regime. People in Zim have died, his friend Tendai is in jail, a number have been forced to move due to the increased violence. If this was the type of leadership he was going to provide, then maybe Bob is right in not giving him a clear path to rule. Morgan if he was educated should have known that their is no progress without struggle. He’s a big disappointment to all those that were relying on him.
#1, you are right! .Winners never quit! I feel bad for the locked up Biti, he is charged with treason and the only way to get him out of jail quickly is change of government.
He should just go on and start disputing when it is officailly confrimed he has lost. He is definatley no Mandela material!!
# 1-4
You guyz dont know what your talking about.
You dont know what is happening in Zimbabwe. People are being killed, beaten just to vote ZANU-PF. Tsvangarai has been threatened with death. What good is a dead candidate. Better he be alive and quit than dead.
People in Zimbabwe are being beaten. The ones in the rural areas are being lied to. They are being told that the re-run is meant to correct there vote so that they should vote ZANU-PF.
The ones in the urban areas are being told by army soldiers and ZANU-PF thugs that they’ll go with the voters to the ballot so as to physically see who they are voting for and we both know whats gonna happen should the voter vote for MDC.
I respect Tsvangarai’s decision.
Given such a situation, clearly you cannot ask him to tell the citizens of Zimbabwe to vote MDC because if the vote MDC, they’ll face death.
He cannot ask his people to risk there lives just for him like this and to have that risk drugged in the mud simply because Mugabe would have killed the voters and rigged the elections.
Infact Tsvangarai has showed that he is good presidential material because he has put his people’s safety first.
#Crazy Z we do understand that the situation is quite bad.
Go back in history and examine how the struggle for equal rights has been won in the US.People sacrificed their lives their dreams all because they saw that light at the end of the tunnel where a person like Obama would one day be given a platform to decide the future of the world’d greatest nation.Martin Luther King Jr stood up for what he believed and it cost him his life BUT the dream was not destroyed.Nelson Mandela spent 27 years in jail because he saw a day when black SA would be free.Our very own KK…the list is endless.
He might as well pack his holiday bags and head for a cruise somewhere.
He has no passion for Zimbabwe as he is not willing to sacrifice.He has somewhere to run to in this time of crisis but what about the average Zim,the elderly or disabled.Who will stand up to fight for them?
Maybe I am missing something here.Mugabe (however sick in the head) did put up a fight to gain independence but this guy to me behaves like a drama queen/king.Gordon Brown is busy sorting out the UK fuel crisis and other issues.Bush has security issues and Thabo-this guy is always in denial.
Solution-Zims to go back in numbers and vote him out or or borrow some rocks and assegai from our neighbour and protest.
Had Morgan gone aheard with this election, he would just have given credence to a sham election that stinks to the very heavens above. The whole process was rigged from the beginning, Mugabe’s soldiers have been voting for nearly three weeks now stuffing ballot boxes with votes for Sekuru. The opposition has been arrested right left and centre and most of their supporters are now exiles in South Africa, Botswana and Zambia. Now, what would taking part in such a poll achieve? Nothing but legitimizing Mugabe’s shameful cling to power. That fool needs nothing but a gun blast in his head to wake up to reality.
crazyZ: the others are right on this one. freedom doesn’t come without struggle or without sacrifice (sometimes even death). who is morgan to ask his supporters to struggle, risk death, and even die when he himself seems incapable of similar struggle? it is neither morgan nor bob who are feeling the pains of this struggle. it is the people of zim. tsvangarai and those other upper mwambwaz in zim are free to move, to spend, and talk. the rest? not so much. the fact is that if tsvangarai had the confidence of the zim people there would be no need to run elsewhere. he would be able to stand alongside the masses he claims are behind him. and since he is choosing not to stand next to them then
one must conclude that the reality is one of the following:
either #1 he is a poor leader, who turns from his people at the moment when they need him the most OR #2 he doesn’t actually have the masses behind or next to him in his “struggle”.
me, i am of the mind that #2 is probably the case, but now that tsvangarai has yet again run away, we may never know.
the future in zim is troubling indeed.
These are Mugabe’s accomplices in the murder of Zimbabwe – JOC: General Constantine Chiwenga, the Army Commander; Augustine Chihuri, the police chief who commands the Green Bombers paramilitary militia; retired Major-General Paradzayi Zimondi, head of the Prisons Service,. Air Marshal Perence Shiri, chief of the Air Force. He used to control the notorious North Korean-trained Fifth Brigade, which carried out the Matebeleland massacres when the bellies of pregnant women were slit open to dispose of the “unborn traitor”, and villagers believed to support Nkomo were thrown alive down wells.
#10. kansas
Whats the point of voting when the elections are going to be/have already been rigged.
Whats the point of people dying in numbers when Mugabe has already assured that enough ballot boxes are stuffed giving him a swift victory.
Morgans decision is the best. As some Zambian said on another blog, the world heard Thabo Mbeki say there is no crisis in Zimbabwe. Now with Tsvangarai withdrawing from the election, what is Mbeki going to say to back up his statement that there is no crisis in Zimbabwe if the opposition has backed out. SADC especially Mbeki are now under pressure and are being watched by the world.
GOD HELP ZIMBABWE.
#12 Not disputing the fact that Bob is a terrible man but so was Hitler,Mobutu Sese Seko,Botha,Ian Smith, Idi Amin,Abacha,Saddam and so on.
This monsters needed someone to comfront them.People died and worse crimes against humanity were committed but it was those radicals that just could not be stopped that made the difference.Zims need to do all they can to rid the country of such a leader.
Bob’s days as president are numbered so it’s up to the people of Zim put up the courage.
The people of zimbabwe need to rise up against Mugabe and force him out of power.I know lives may be lost but it wil be for a just cause.I wish i was in the zimbabwean army i could have fired a bullet in Bob’s roten head.
For u who says tsvangarai is a coward let me tell you even back when there was struggle for independence many leaders lived outside the country,Mbeki and so many others because of what use would they be if they were dead?Mugabe is a tyrant you don’t know what he is doing to his people,many threats and innocent people are suffering!why should they continue to suffer and go through this if only for mugabe to win?? and of course its easy for you to say people should lay down their lives for struggle…for what to leave their children orphaned?their families destitute?? Mugabe is intimidating people into voting for him if he really had the support would he have lost the first round???come Many
cont…#16 Many of you have run away from the economy in zambia! And you’re in the forefront saying fight till the end?Well in this war it economical and REAL people are dying they are not just statistics and a leader should care for the welfare of his people!!! I respect all the leaders who fought for africa’s freedom but how far has africa really progressed?? its these leaders who think they own the country just because they fought for the independence!stopping food aid meanwhile his getting his three meals plus bonus tea breaks in between ata!
IN FACT GO TO BBC AND READ SOME OF THE STUFF THE ZIMBOS THEMSELVES ARE SAYING DON’T THINK JUST AS AN OUTSIDE OBSERVER PUT YOURSELF IN ZIM AND SEE WHAT YOU WOULD DO!!!ITS TRAUMATIC
birds of the same feathers screw together … Mbeki and Mugabe are two of Africa’s most backward leaders.
Sometimes its not worthy dying or so called “sacrifice” to prove a point that you are a selfless leader. Mind you, many people have died and no one has ever come from the dead to lead the masses. Morgan may be called a coward today but more lives will be saved because of his stance. So what type of a leader do you want? a tyrant? Mugabe said only God will remove him, does this sound a gong in the ears of those rapping Morgan?
People have died and we should stop this rot Mugabe has brought on the Zimbabwean people.
For how long will African people sacrifice their lives just for freedom to come?We need to stop and think because, if all the people get killed, who will be led by these cowards clinging onto power? Surely we need a period of rest so we can sort out other issues not political power all the time. Africa, wake up and stop the greed nature you are potraying to the others
The fact of the matter is lives have been sacrificed. Pulling out means the lives were lost for nothing?
I strongly feel he has inteligence that he will not win, and the best solution is to ask for outside help. If he loses at the poll he won’t get any help as the results will show otherwise.
Remember what happened to UNIP when it shunned the 1996 elections. That was the begining of the party’s end. Morgan has misfired. I’m not a prophet of doom but I’m giving Morgan’s MDC less than 11 months before it disintegrates . Mark my words. You guys better get used to listening to T.V/radio announcers saying ‘President Mugabe of Zimbabwe has said…..’
The stance Morgan took is a commendable one.Since the ***** Mugabe vowed that only God will remove him from power let it be so.There is no point of sucrifing ones life when you already know that elections will definately be rigged.God will punish Thabo bcoz he is the causer of Mugabe’s rigidness.
It needs an outstanding leader to lead the peoiple of Zim out of the minefield thay Mugabe has created. Unfortunately, Tsvangirai is not the man. He is a decent guy but not a great leader. Maybe the right guy is still to come.
Don’t demonise Morgan coz the real devil is mugabe and his legion of demons. In my view he has done the right thing and he is not a coward. He cares for the suffering people of Zimbabwe. What is the use of being called a hero when in the grave. As someone has righlty put it, the Mbekis would not have ruled SA if they had not scampered for safety in Zambia and they were not cowards. Even Mugabe himself ran away from Rhodesia to wage war from Mozambiaque. Come on, you don’t parade yourself in front of a dictator with a blazing gun all in the name of heroism coz he will surely shoot you. Read what the people inside Zimbabwe are saying before condeming morgan from the comforts of homes/offices.
The decision to withdraw from Election run-off is the best democratic option available to Morgan. Surely, Morgan is not like other who want to be presido at great human cost as we have seen in other countries. Morgan himself has been beaten, detained on numerous occasion. Why should a change of Govmt be accompanied by lost of Human life?!?. Over 80 MDC supporter have been killed..hence to call Morgan a corward is unrealitic guys. This is also a lesson to other leaders – rulling and oppostion alike. Don’t sacrifice your people for sake of power.
Morgan has a strategy.. Stay away, and then BOB face more isolation and things get worse in Zimbo, then we shall see Zimboz rise.
All neighbouting countries to clamp down on borders to pressurize the zimbos to seek there own change instead of fleeing the contyr
I too respect Tsvangirai’s decision..The rest of Africa needs to step in now and isolate this *****ic old man.
Two of Africa’s worst leaders (probably the worst two) are Mugabe and Mbeki.
Thank God,Zuma is coming to control what is happening in ZIM and Zino fofos.otherwise the world cup will be moved away.no normal person can hold that big comp.with this Zino fofo and a neighbouring country is at war.
If Tsvangirai participates and wins he would have been elected on a flawed system, if he participates and loses, he will have no basis to complain because he would have participated knowing fully well that the systems are flawed, he is better off not participating in this flawed election, if Mugabe wants to perperuate himself in power, he will suffer the same way as Mobutu did, he might actually not be buried in HIS ZIMBABWE just to discredit him. For me Morgan should have a plan B.
good reasoning #32.all Zimbabweans should rise-up in big numbers now,if enough is enough. if not continue dying silently.
Thanks #32, some pipo on this blog are just blogging for sake of.
poor Morgan were was he when Mugabe was amassing strength by killing the Ndebeles?,where was he when strong Joshua Nkomo fled that country? when it was the minority Ndebeles no one talked of Mugabes atrocities but now that its affecting his own people they seem to want consolation from the world.let them enjoy the monster they they made for themselves.As#32 said Mugabe will vanish like mobuto after wreaking that bread basket of Africa because his own people allowed him to be what he is(like a big lilomba).
Tsvangirai good move – bcoz taking part will indeed not be free and fair bcoz most your members will not vote – they be busy mourning the dead 70+ relatives. Mugabe has the spirit of Kamuzu Banda (late Terror Malawian presdo) who fell down in Zim in full view of the world leaders and the media when he forced himself to visit zim summit despired of his old age. Same will happen to Mugabe he will fall dead in full view of the world.
Morgan is a coward and his people are indeed disappointed in him. All those dead have but died in vain. People have been subdued and intimidated all because they suppported him and he ends up quiting on them. What was wrong with waiting for friday elections. The people supporting this fellow with his boycott move are also cowards as with such mentalities, nothing can be achieved. Ask Odinga how he managed to change a wrong. Ask Mugabe himself how he managed to bring democracy to the country that he now has a tight grip on. This fellow should never be allowed to rule. I hope Zanu-PF will now reform itself and find a suitable replacement
My message to my friends in Zim; nothing remains for ever, Kamuzu, Idi Amin, Mobutu, Apartheid, Castro, Saddam, Noliaga, Adoff, Musolin…(and George W Bush)… are all but gone. The international community must focus on disconnecting the life-lines to Bob. lifelines are Mbeki and China. These two are part of reason why Bob continue to smoke weed and is engulfed into a smoke-screen of deception. On more than two occasions RSA and China have opposed the Zim issue tabled in the UN security council. Why? Mbeki fears for ‘labour’ MDC taking power like ZCTU Chiluba did ..this might trigger RSA Cosatu getting ‘political tool box’. And China, they need resources – Uranium among others in Zim.
Morgan wants the presidency on the silver plate.No, ways.He should show us the Zimbabweans that he is more aggressive than uncle Bob. So far he has shown us that he is just a plain chicken. Go!Go!Go! uncle Bob!
Presidency in Africa is not for chickens.
Zambia: Zimbabwe is embarrasing
Botswana: They can not accept the Criminal and Human Rights violations
Angola: Advise Mugabe to reduce tension and conduct election in peace.
We wait for the other SADC nations to state the positions.
Mugabe is about to fall.
#37 pliz research more on the situation in zim.if it were you am sure you could have been the first to run away.the situation is not good at all. my brother you go deeper than condenming.even the so called UN just wait for war to break out than prevent it.sorry! and God i think our president has made a good move.a right thing is right,it will never be wrong.for Mbeki forget about him.no wonder he will be remembered for xenophobia and the world cup being moved away.coz no neighbour will go there to watch.2. who will interested when a neighbouring country is fighting for peace.i predict and rest my views.
Mbeki is easy to deal with he is just a small fish in this, China is quite the big deal here. But for china this is an opportune time to move this issue to the security council because this has become a matter for the security council. China there will have to act lest they just jeopardise their hosting of the olympic games.
#39 “Presidency in Africa is not for chickens” why should it be so, are we a cursed race?
Our beloved brother and sisters in Zim, together we stand in your hour of darkness.Stand firm, it will not be easy, ask us Zambians, but stand firm, do not go to the polling station coz you will be voting between Mugabe and a Blank as we did for sometime.Just stay home on the day and let Bob and his thugs go vote for themselves and alone.At last Africa is tired of siding bob, there is hope , there is light at the end of the tunnel.People might call Morgan names but he has proved to be a better leader than that tyrant, Morgan has demostrated that he has “YOU” zimbabweans at heart, He will forego statehouse for you, Stand firm, stand firm.
this time we could have been thinking about bringing alot of investors to SADC, before the world cup.now with this Zim issue i think africa mwasebana! When can we feed ourselves? when are we going to the moon,if all we think about is killing your brother and sisters? even mbeki has killed the rand this morning coz of zim issue.read bloomberg.com
no wonder he can not accept AIDS problems in his own S.A
you do not need to be a rocket scientist to see what is happening in zim.
Pa Zim,nkani yakosa.I feel for Morgan.Good decision Morgan,your presindency shud not be accompanied by greed and blood.Life is more important.Mugabe has already said that even if he loses he will not give up power,so whats the point of going ahead?
No. 41 don’t attach ur cowardice to me. Stick to the issue at hand. Examine the sacrifices of Martin Luthur jr; Jomo Kenyatta and Mugabe himself, do u think they were handed power on a silver plata
I am not sure what Koshet is insinuating. Are saying that it is right for Morgan to sacrifice the lives of Zimbabweans to get to state house then he will be honored as a hero? I think tha is rather backward thinking. In this day and error power should be handed down generations without a fuss. Those times of the Luthers, Kenyatta and foolish Mugabe are long gone. Those pipo were restling power from colonial so called masters who thot only them were human and deserved to live which was not a priveledge for a black man. Rethink your direction
#47 this mixing apples and oranges, I think something like what happened in Kenya is what people should be comparing Morgan’s move to, if Odinga had just opted out on account of a flawed process then all that bath of blood (blood bath) would not have occured, so 1,000 people dead in Kenya and Odinga gets to be PM, who is the winner here. Sue #48 I agree, Koshet #47 re-think your stance and compare like to like.
Koshet #47, What we want in Africa like others on blog are advocating is democratic transition of Governmets without killing people, without being imprisoned, forced into political exile as is commonplace in most third world countries esp Africa. America has changed close to 45 presidents all of which has never seen into a prison. This must be an African vision. We don’t need stone throwing and panga expect politians. Time for this is long gone. We don’t need a Government that beat and kills its own people in the name of protecting some stupid sovereignty. A democratic Governmt will always be protected by its own people.
Can someone confirn. Hear he has now gone into hiding at some embassy building in Harare
Running for his life. He has now gone into hiding at some Embassy in Harare.
Brief asylum in the Dutch Embassy in Harare
Yeah he is hiding at the Dutch Embassy in Harare according to BBC and CNN.
Events in Zimbabwe are shocking. I knew Mugabe loved power but I didn’t know he loved it that much. The man is unbelievable.
The Dutch Television has also reported that Morgan is in the Dutch Embassy in Harare after State Machinery raided his MDC headquaters. Yet Mbeki still feels this is not serious and he is still saying there is room for dialogue
# 56 you are a shameless liar
Mbeki urges talks despite MDC pull out
SOUTH African President Thabo Mbeki has urged Zimbabwe’s main political parties to continue talks after the opposition Movement for Democratic Change leader unofficially announced on Sunday that he was pulling out of the presidential run-off election.”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,” Mbeki said in the northern Mpumalanga province of South Africa.
#57 you dont qualify to be my student,thank you.anyway continue with your quiet diplomacy.it wont work till you retire with…
“And that most certainly is something which we would try to encourage,” he added.
Mbeki’s spokesman also issued a statement saying the South African president will keep mediating to find a long term solution to the crisis in the country.
The objective of the President is to find a long-lasting solution.
He added that Tsvangirai informed Mbeki of his decision before the official announcement. The situation indeed requires a mediated settlement.
Australia is beginning to do something about the situation. Zimbabwean authorities will be denied entry into the country, their assets frozen and their children will not be allowed to study in Australia. Australia is also calling for other countries to inpose sanctions on Zim.
Ground Mugabe and his crew. They must be confined to the Zimbabwe they have ruined. Bravo Australia.
The sad part of all this is that people who are supposed to say something that probably could matter are keeping their silence. What is KK, close friend and supporter of Mugabe saying? How come he has opted to remain silent?
Mr Elias Chipimo said it correctly. African leaders want to leave office with bullets in their heads. Look at this fool in the name of Mugabe. How does he expect God to come and remove him from office? In short Mugabe has declared a monarchy. Why always Africa having such fools? Abacha, Mobutu, Amin, Kibaki, Taylor, Bokassa, Mengistu, the list is endless. Do we really have same brains as others? Just asking? We really need brain checks to see what is wrong we us.
#57 I do not want to start arguing with you!! If you yourself you are a liar then dont align me to yourself. You have given your information and i have given mine. Do i have to call you a shameless liar for that ? of course not. Lets concentrate on the issue than attacking each other. The issue about Zimbabwe is being reported everywhere in the World. Check Euro news now, BBC, CNN and see the information coming out.
Lets be mature.It seems some of you are Kaponya’s who even when is being praised that “you look smart” will fight you for saying such.
Lets just discuss maturely
Ralph, what is your argument? The story is everywhere. What lie do you see in Musonda’s posting? What planet are you on?
#57 If you are quoting the South African media, do you want all of us to quote the same source, of Course not. All of us on this blog are spread accross the whole world and we should discuss to enhance each others knowledge and understanding. You never know, through this blog someone may make right decisions. As a Zedian its my personal right to express myself and i respect your rights too. Its about mutual understanding mukwayi!!
#57, Its true there’s been a raid (#56 is right). I’m listeninig to BBC right now.
The topic is currently being dicussed on “BBC World Have Your Say” If you want to post comments go to “worldhaveyoursay.com”
Cheers.
No. 49 and 50, their is no progress without struggle “Fredrick Douglas” learn to read. Don’t go about preching nonse to people when u are cowards. Odinga stood his ground when elections were rigged from him and today, he has helped in re-defining the injustice that was done. Am sure, Kibaki will soon come to Holland, Den haag and face the international criminal court. When u enter politics, u should know that it is a dirty game. Kwame Nkruma started independence in Africa and we have to continue it; Whether it be from the liberators themselves and people have to be prepared to fight when they are not being given the opportunity to use the baloot. Check the history books how did milosovic go
Morgie is taking the easy way out!Understandably the situation in Zim is volatile but taking the presidency via the back door will only ensure his tenure to be littered with turmoil!Morgie should just participate and use it as an opportunity to show the world that Bob is a trickster and cannot be trusted.after a sham election Morgie will have the worlds attention and FULL support.we must not forget Bob got 43% of the vote the last time round..which proves he has some support & this makes the powers that be jittery!!
Sue No. 48. I have never seen a more foolish answer.
Sue, I think u are too mediocre for this conversation. U analysis is rather dull.
Koshet and Pimp or whoever you call youselves are both stupid. Why should you personalize the issues, I made my contribution without refering to any of you. An enlightened will just present their opposing view without getting personal. You are actually *****s and I do not mingle with such fools as yourselves. You present your well thot out issues and let me present mine period. Some men are not worth being regarded as such.
Is it the word insinuating you did no understand??? It is not an insult so sober up, crybaby.
You guys chill down. Mugabe is the fool and most definitely not worth fighting about. Lets get back to the topic and probably one of these fine days one of you might ascend to the throne or might hit the nail on the head consequently finding the missing link in our African problems. Some of your opinions are better than the ones we read in some local papers. We can have different opinions, but we should not differ with each other. Now, when will Mugabe die? Mugabe must understand that he cannot overstay in office. Even Jesus did not. Jesus accomplished his mission and in no time left. Now we yearn for his coming back. African leaders, they love dying in office whether by a bullet or not. WHY
Give the land back to the owner man of creation if you have failed to govern it.
Koshet, u are a loser. In this dispensation, you still think “STONE AGE”? Damn the supporters of violence. Should power be relinquished by bullets always? Not in 2008. The examples you gave just goes to show that you have limited capacity in terms of progressive thinking. Yes, this world has produced leaders who wrestled power from opponents and in a particular period. No two WARS can be fought with one and the same strategy. Grow up and don’t you bring bushy thinking in the twenty first century ala. Should Morgy cling on to power just because he wants to prove a point of heroism? Should more people die by the machet or bullet in the name of freedom fighters? Fya kale ifimano fyaku posa amab
amabwe. Some of you were not even born when Kaunda and the fellow comrades were fighting for independence. Just the riots in the 80’s could have melted some of you people because what Zimbabwe is going thru, Zed has passed that stage thanks to KK who relinquished power even when he knew Chiluba was imature to take on the mantle. What would have happened had KK clung on to power and vowed never to leave office for the opposition? I bet Koshet and your parents would be dead and we wont even sing a song of praise for you because you dont deserve it all.
Morgy today is a coward but at least someones life has been spared.
Morgan and the MDCs decision to quit the race must be viewed as a step in the right direction.Some of you are calling him a coward when you have no idea what 21st century politics are about. This is not the time to engage political struggle.It is a time for economic emancipation of the poor.Govt’s responsibility is to assure economic platforms that empower the people it seeks to govern.The 21st century should be a significant period where we need to shift to a progressive outlook by forging equitable economic partnerships both on the domestic front and internationally.It is gravely retrogressive to embrace pre-colonial political struggles as they have no place in modern day politics.
Mugabe’s behaviour is outright irresponsible.I truly believe that the rest of the world has let the people of Zimbabwe down and posterity will judge them harshly.It is not enough for world leaders to urge dialogue or speak o the border line.Leaders have a responsibility to create a peaceful and sustainable environment for the people they lead.The Zim issue is not one to be resolved through dialogue.You can only dialogue with people or a group of people who have the interest of peace at heart, people who are selfless and progress oriented.These are the basic tenets that Mugabe lacks.African leaders should not hide behind camaraderie in condoning Mugabe’s actions.
just want to let Tonga Bull (#23) know that I completely agree with his comparison of morgan’s recent decision & UNIPs 1996 boycott. both are/were the beginning of the end for their ability to run effective opposition parties.
also – #35 defector: you are right on. it is nice and refreshing to find someone here with a real grasp on history. the ndebele’s started the liberation struggle in zim but weren’t given any of the cake when it won – mugabe & his friends pushed the ndebele’s to the point they find themselves today (voiceless). no zim can deny that this is how mugabe plays his hand.
and to the rest on here (afrocentric and friends) who seems to rely on BBC news for their info regarding zim – i beg you to broaden your sources. getting all your info from BBC is like someone only reading zim’s state-run media for info. the BBC reader will come away “knowing” that mugabe is the only devil in this story; and the zim-state-media reader will “know” that mugabe is sent by god…… and neither of them would be correct. so please my brothers cast a wider net if you really want to understand the complexities of the situation in zim. the best? TALK to people on the ground there in zim. and then balance out your printed news-sources.
or you can just get all your info from ME 🙂 boza nisobela chabe
Kansas,UNIP did not boycott the election on a premise of violence and intimidation.It was a fundamental boycott of a contentious and controversial clause in the Chiluba-engineered constitution.There is a difference between the Zed situation and the status quo in Zim.It is wise for Morgan and party to pull out in order to avert any escalated killings.The statement they have sent to the world is that it is up to world leaders to prove to Mugabe that he is illegitimate and will have no use dealing with him.You cannot participate in a run-off in which even Grace Mugabe publicly declares that Morgan will never rule Zim.Time will deal with Mugabe in a very ruthless manner.No man is an island
hey KCC – the situation will never be the same in any place. i wasnt arguing that what led up to the boycotts was the same. i was only agreeing with tonga bull that it will probably spell the end of MDC, just like the way UNIP finished itself. what this might mean in the context of zim is that MDC may re-emerge or re-invent itself under different leadership (ie: NOT morgan) and in fact those splinters were already showing themselves before the election and now that MDC is not participating it also gives those a chance to distance themselves from both mugabe & morgan and sell themselves as some sort of “middle-path” between the two…. think a merger of makoni & munangagwa…….
#74 Do not respond to losers. Pimp and Koshet, is the same person look at the posting times. It must be some immature jerk!!
The logic of waiting for something to happen to Mugabe like what happned to Mobutu and the likes is nonsesne. You can not wait for nature to take its course when lives have been lost, people are hungry, no jobs amalwele etc.
Lives have been lost . If Mugabe prevails with no competition they would have been lost for naught!
Look at Castro in Cuba he ruled fifty years b 4 nature took course
Morgan should go ahead .
#84 Hey Kansas, we do get views from Zimbabweans. They are many many in Lusaka. And the view we get is that Mugabe is a devil. One man, who had been granted asylum, came to our church to ask for assistance. During the chat with him, he mentioned how Mugabe killed not less 600 Ndebeles and burried them in a mass grave. The crime they had committed was to ask for their share after playing a huge role in the liberation struggle.
Can you also give us those “credible” news sources and tell us what they are saying?
INTERESTING POLITICAL QUOTES
“We are not going to give up our country for a mere X on a ballot. How can a ball point pen fight with a gun?’”
“the Losers’ Club—We can defeat them one and all.”
‘Operation Makavhoterapapi’, or ‘Where did you put your vote?’
Mr. Morgan Tsvangirai is under no threat at all from Zimbabweans and he should cast away these delusions … Zimbabwe is a peaceful country and this will remain so.
If an election can be held in Iraq, surely it can also be held in Zimbabwe
It is just an MDC media agenda that is calculated at hoodwinking Zanu-PF supporters into believing that there will be no elections. But, of course, they are fooling themselves as the party’s supporters are going to vote on 27 June.
We, at the same time, ask the Dutch embassy, if indeed he is there, to tell him to go home and enjoy [his] sleep and nothing will happen to him
If an election can be held in Iraq, surely it can also be held in Zimbabwe
To Koshet and others pretending to be ‘tough-guys’ and labelling Morgan a coward; the whole world including the UN – Ban Ki-Moon have concluded that it is not possible to have free and fair elections in Zim. These Govmts (Zambia, US, Britain & UN) have a tone of infor on Zim while you and I can only read newspapers and watch TV. Decision making is about the available infor one has. You can read history books including how donosours bred and got exiticted, but you need the latest and credible infor to make a rational decision on Zim. Hence to Koshet and Co, you screem all you can but the situation calls for cool and sober heads to resolve the political impasse.
There is only one Zimbabwe that belongs to the peolple of Zimbabwe. But we can not sit back and watch this country go up in flames.At this point serious external intervention is neccesary. We can not afford to have a situation like what happen in some east African countries. Africa needs to develop.
Nelson Mandela, Martin Luther King, Steve Biko, Mahatma Gandhi. These guys put their lives on the line and inspired their people to do the same.
Too bad Morgan sought refuge in the Dutch embassy. Too many people remember that Mbunu are descended from Dutch. Maybe they will give him asylum in Amsterdam and he can spend his days wandering around the Red Light District smoking big spliffs
MDC you are brave, you are smart not to attend to this useless elections for this Thursday.How does a president declare that only God will remove from power and the first lady as well supports that?More people could have been lost and left no one to be ruled by MDC.Viva Tsvangirai! Viva MDC.
#88 thanks my brother, I will not respond anymore to some misguided person.
Koshet #70, unusually I would have responded using very crude language to the fact that you think I do not read, now that is a dangerous assumption, you read Fredrick Douglas I read something else as such we do not have similar interests. In my line of work we differentiate between human induced struggles and natural struggles. And we discourage the perpetuation of human struggle, one more thing if you find my contributions nonsensical please do not read them and just skip to other comments that are confirming to your opinion. On this blog we differ with respect and I am glad Sue did not use any abusive language when addressing your rather vulger comments. Anyhow, the “struggle” in Zimbabwe.
… cont 98:
is not supposed to be one, this is something that without greed should have been resolved in 2002. What is it that RGB has so much hate for his people that he can be killing them. And mind you struggles like confrontation should not subside to physical means because at that level you have failed to reason. Kaunda in 1996 boycotted an election and he is now more a hero than he was then because we did not know what he was boycotting for because we had only experienced 5 years of multi-partysm (re-introduced though), so sometimes it is better to back off, do not tell me when you are walking the streets and a mad man starts throwing stones you retaliate? Maybe you do but I don’t…
… cont 99
and this is precisely what Morgan according to me has done, there is nothing in this day and age when societies have advanced that should put people in danger the way Mugabe has done, even Dos Santos who is not even a native african is rulling his country better that Mugabe. Look, do not get intangled in theories by Fredrick Douglas, much as he might have been an abolishinist, but things have changed koshet, the rule of engagement are totally different, that is why Rudolf Gulian at some point said “as a leader, it is your responsibility to explain to people who might have a different view point to yours” now tell me has Mugabe explained anything? Sue good thinking, drop it.
“I prefer to be true to myself, even at the hazard of incurring the ridicule of others, rather than to be false, and to incur my own abhorrence.” Fredrick Douglass for Morgan Tsvangirai, this is an abhorable election!
No. 48, I will ask u to read your comment again and to ponder on your analysis of issues. It’s always easy to cry foul when you use subtle or mild language in a dimining manner in reference to others. U said “backward”, I thus said “dull”, u say rethink and I say that’s foolishness which i still stick to. Regarding Mwiinga, I say big-ups to you as its always good to exchange differing opinions in a civilised manner.
The Zim Violence has taken a new turn. The “War veterans are now beginning to receive something. Reports say a breakaway MDC faction aided by Zimbos who returned from South Africa, armed with an assortment of traditional weapons, have attacked a group of war veterans in “Matibila Land” (could be Matebele Land). The veterans cried for help but no on came to their aid.
Zim will turn into a war zone if something is not done fast.
Mugabe has arrogantly dismissed the UN resolution. I think I’m seeing the beginning of the end of a dictator.
Koshet, thanks and now we are talking as it were. About the end of a dictator, 104, I think you are right on, this guy is going nowhere and guess what they are rubbishing literalyy everybody including Zuma who has maintained a very hard stance on the events there, we can say Mbeki is all by himself as it is, once he leaves Pretoria next year the ball game will be different believe me.
thers is an old nigerian idiom, that says “he who has the cup has no head, and he who has the head has no cup” this is what is going on in zim.
i have lived in zimbabwe and know what the situation is, morgan has spared the country from further bloodshed by not participating in this nonsense. let mugabe continue with his crap. after all all those people you see at his rallies are under duress to attend. call tswangirayi a coward or whatever you like mugabe is ruthless.
I thought so, who in his right mind would attend a rally being addressed by a mad man
Zedians should simply go to Harare and take over that ailing Mugabe government..We are strong enough!!!
Tune in to BBC tomorrow they will be discussing ZIM
I have not seen an 84 year old with so much black hair as Mugabe. The guy uses ink to feel young.
How do you say Kuya bebele in Shona!
why dont bring in Bin ladan to solve this issue once and for aii!
mugabe should understand that NO ONE STAYS ON TOP FOREVER .