Snappy newsletters. Simple Facebook sharing. Spirited comments. Sweet features are waiting… GET THEM NOW!

Tsvangirai Pulls Out of Zimbabwe Race

Cites escalating violence and intimidation

By Dustin Lushing, Newser Staff

Posted Jun 22, 2008 8:45 AM CDT

(Newser) – The opposition leader in Zimbabwe's presidential runoff election has dropped out of the race, citing escalating violence and intimidation against his party by President Robert Mugabe's government. Morgan Tsvangirai announced his decision to pull out of Friday's runoff election at a news conference today in Zimbabwe's capital, after thousands of ruling party militants and soldiers in full riot gear blockaded the site of a rally there.

At least 70 Tsvangerai supporters have been killed in recent months. "We will no longer participate in this violent, illegitimate sham of an election process," said Tsvangirai. "We will not play the game of Mugabe." He call on the UN and the African Union to intervene to prevent a "genocide" in Zimbabwe, the BBC reported.

Zimbabwe opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai (AP Photo)

Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe (AP Photo)

Morgan Tsvangirai (AP Photo/Tsvangirayi Mukwazhi)

« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow

To report an error on this story, notify our editors.

More Newser Stories

Zimbabwe Leaders Sign Landmark Deal

Tsvangirai will become prime minister as parties come together

(NEWSER) - Zimbabwe's rival political parties signed their landmark power-sharing deal today, in which Robert Mugabe will remain president while Morgan Tsvangirai will take on the new position of prime minister. The two factions of the opposition Movement for Democratic Change will receive a majority of cabinet posts, including the ministries responsible for the economy and the police. But Mugabe will still have control of the army, reports Reuters. More»

Despite Arrests, Zimbabwe Opposition Elects Speaker

Mugabe's candidate defeated as MDC's Moyo wins close parliamentary vote

(NEWSER) - Opposition groups in Zimbabwe's parliament today defeated the candidate for speaker put forward by President Robert Mugabe, electing instead a member of the Movement for Democratic Change, the Times of London reports. Though security forces arrested several MDC members ahead of the vote, MDC lawmakers sang anti-Mugabe songs in a parliament speaker Lovemore Moyo said will "cease to be a rubber stamping house." More»

Tsvangirai Barred From Mbeki Meet

Opposition leader detained in airport, passport yanked

(NEWSER) - Morgan Tsvangirai, the leader of Zimbabwe's opposition, was detained at the airport in Harare today and prevented from flying to South Africa. Authorities confiscated his passport, as well as the travel documents of fellow members of the Movement for Democratic Change, before letting him leave. Tsvangirai was to attend a meeting with South African president Thabo Mbeki in an attempt to resolve the country's political crisis. More»

Zimbabwe Power-Sharing Talks Stall; Mbeki Leaves

Mugabe reportedly tries to sideline Tsvangirai

(NEWSER) - South African president Thabo Mbeki today left Zimbabwe without a power-sharing deal, as official media reported that Robert Mugabe had struck an agreement with a breakaway leader of the Movement for Democratic Change, sidelining its leader Morgan Tsvangirai. A spokesman for the MDC splinter group told Bloomberg there was no deal. More»

South Africa Offers Zimbabwe Truce Proposal

Opposition welcomes plan ceding real power to Tsvangirai as PM

(NEWSER) - South African president Thabo Mbeki has proposed a compromise in Zimbabwe’s political crisis: Let Robert Mugabe remain president in name, but hand power to opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai as temporary prime minister, the Guardian reports. Members of opposition party Movement for Democratic Change were said to be largely satisfied with the plan, on the condition that the African Union would help enforce it. More»

NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS

What is Newser?

Face it: there's too much news. At Newser, we choose the most thought-provoking and entertaining stories from hundreds of US and international sources and reduce them to a headline, picture, and two paragraphs. And we do it 24/7—you can come back morning, noon, night (and in between) for something new that matters. Read less, know more.

Learn more »

Partnering with: Slate

View Newser on the mobile website

Tsvangirai Pulls Out of Zimbabwe Race

Cites escalating violence and intimidation

OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

Zimbabwe • Robert Mugabe • Morgan Tsvangirai • Zimbabwe elections

MOST POPULAR STORIES

[ By Views ]

[ By Comments ]

More Newser Stories

Zimbabwe Leaders Sign Landmark Deal

Tsvangirai will become prime minister as parties come together

Despite Arrests, Zimbabwe Opposition Elects Speaker

Mugabe's candidate defeated as MDC's Moyo wins close parliamentary vote

Tsvangirai Barred From Mbeki Meet

Opposition leader detained in airport, passport yanked

Zimbabwe Power-Sharing Talks Stall; Mbeki Leaves

Mugabe reportedly tries to sideline Tsvangirai

South Africa Offers Zimbabwe Truce Proposal

Opposition welcomes plan ceding real power to Tsvangirai as PM

About Us

Site

Community

Site Maps

Tools

More News

What is Newser?