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Tsvangirai Boycotts Unity Government in Zimbabwe

But he's not pulling out of the coalition just yet

By Harry Kimball,  Newser Staff

Posted Oct 16, 2009 1:25 PM CDT

(Newser) – Zimbabwe PM Morgan Tsvangirai’s party will boycott Cabinet meetings and cut off communication with president Robert Mugabe’s ZANU-PF, theoretically its partner in government. The move accompanies growing anger among members of Tsvangirai’s MDC over Mugabe’s strong-arm tactics and the jailing of a Cabinet minister-designate, the New York Times reports.

“It is our right to disengage from a dishonest and unreliable partner,” says Tsvangirai, who threatened to call for new elections if he doesn't see meaningful reform. ZANU-PF is having none of it. “You say you’ve disengaged, but are not pulling out,” a party official says. “That’s nonsensical. You’re either in or out.”

Zimbabwean Prime minister  Morgan Tsvangirai at a press conference today.
Zimbabwean Prime minister Morgan Tsvangirai at a press conference today.   (AP Photo)
Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe.
Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe.   (AP Photo)
Roy Bennett, the Movement For Democratic Change treasurer who was recently arrested.
Roy Bennett, the Movement For Democratic Change treasurer who was recently arrested.   (AP Photo)
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They just assume the protagonists can manage on their own. But this has been a long and bloody struggle. It’s simply unreasonable to think we can muddle through. - Education minister David Coltart, MDC, on why the Southern African Development Community should intervene in Zimbabwe

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COMMENTS
Showing 2 of 2 comments
PhillytoWinnetka
Oct 17, 2009 5:35 AM CDT
They're all goons...Zimbabwe is a mess. Mugabe and his thugs took over all the farms, many who don't know what the hell they are doing. That is why the country is starving now. It used to be a breadbowl.
Gallavant
Oct 16, 2009 7:20 AM CDT
I agree Jayster. It's great what Tsvangvirai has been able to accomplish in spite of Mugabe. He's relentless.
 

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