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How the Opposition Can Oust Mugabe

Tsvangirai has the tools to eliminate presidency: scholar

By Jason Farago,  Newser Staff

Posted Jul 2, 2008 7:33 AM CDT
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(Newser) – Robert Mugabe has been sworn in for a sixth term as Zimbabwe's president—but this time, the opposition Movement for Democratic Change commands a majority in the country's parliament. That split offers the best hope of deposing Mugabe, writes Mark Y. Rosenberg in the New York Times. The best way to oust the president, he says, might simply be to get rid of the office altogether.

Morgan Tsvangirai, acting as prime minister alongside rebellious Zanu-PF members, "could rather quickly declare the Parliament sovereign and terminate Mr. Mugabe’s reign." Other African countries, such as Benin and Mali, have made similar moves, and Zimbabwe itself had a parliamentary democracy before Mugabe abolished it. And a parliamentary government would do more than just dislodge a tyrant—it would also ensure a more democratic Zimbabwe in the future.

Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe attends the eleventh ordinary session of the assembly of the African Union heads of state and government in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, Monday, June 30, 2008. The African Union summit has opened in the Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheikh with the longtime Zimbabwean ruler in attendance....
Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe attends the eleventh ordinary session of the assembly of the African Union heads of state and government in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, Monday, June 30, 2008. The African...   (AP Photo/Nasser Nasser)
Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe holds up the bible as he speaks at his inauguration ceremony at State House in Harare, Sunday, June, 29, 2008.
Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe holds up the bible as he speaks at his inauguration ceremony at State House in Harare, Sunday, June, 29, 2008.   (AP Photo/Tsvangirayi Mukwazhi)
Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe, right, is seen, at his inauguration ceremony at State house in Harare, Sunday, June, 29, 2008.
Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe, right, is seen, at his inauguration ceremony at State house in Harare, Sunday, June, 29, 2008.   (AP Photo/Tsvangirayi Mukwazhi)
Zimbabwean leader of the Movement for Democratic Change, MDC, Morgan Tsvangirai, leaves a news conference in Johannesburg.
Zimbabwean leader of the Movement for Democratic Change, MDC, Morgan Tsvangirai, leaves a news conference in Johannesburg.   (AP Photo/Denis Farrell)
A pedestrian carrying loaves of bread passes election posters in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe, Thursday, April 3, 2008.
A pedestrian carrying loaves of bread passes election posters in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe, Thursday, April 3, 2008.   (AP Photo)
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Zimbabwe • Robert Mugabe • Morgan Tsvangirai • democratic parliament • Zimbabwe elections • Zanu-PF

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