Sham election gets underway today
Guardian (UK) Jun 27, 08 3:45 AM CDT
(Newser)
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As Zimbabwe's sham run-off election for president began to get underway, even opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai urged supporters to vote for Robert Mugabe to save themselves from the violent intimidation orchestrated by the government, the Guardian reports. Mugabe's militia has conducted a terror campaign of murder, abduction, imprisonment and rape to cow opposition supporters.
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International condemnation falls on deaf ears
New York Times Jun 26, 08 12:58 PM CDT
(Newser)
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Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe’s party maintains that tomorrow’s runoff election will go ahead as planned, despite international condemnation and the withdrawal of the opposition candidate, the New York Times reports. Former challenger Morgan Tsvangirai insists he wants negotiations between the two parties instead of polling. The president has implied that he will be open to negotiations after the vote, which the opposition will not accept.
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Seeks 'transitional period;' willing to negotiate before vote
BBC Jun 25, 08 9:02 AM CDT
(Newser)
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Morgan Tsvangirai is calling for a “negotiated political settlement” to begin a period of “healing” for Zimbabwe, the BBC reports. Speaking at his home after leaving the Dutch embassy, the opposition leader called Friday’s election a sham, and asked the African Union and Southern African Development Community to lead a UN-backed “transitional period.”
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Opinion
MDC leader explains refusal to contest Zimbabwe election
Guardian (UK) Jun 25, 08 5:58 AM CDT
(Newser)
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ZImbabwe's opposition leader tells the Guardian that he dropped out of Friday's run-off election because he "can no longer allow Zimbabwe's people to suffer this torture." Morgan Tsvangirai explains that ending his campaign was "not a political decision" but an attempt to stop the violence inflicted by Robert Mugabe's thugs.
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UN Security Council condemns Zimbabwe violence, intimidation
New York Times Jun 23, 08 7:35 PM CDT
(Newser)
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Zimbabwe's opposition leader remained holed up in the Dutch embassy in Harare today as police stormed his party's headquarters, the New York Times reports. Officers detained at least 40 people who were there—many of them women and children—the day after Morgan Tsvangirai dropped out of the upcoming election runoff, saying his country was facing a war, not an election: “and we will not be part of that war."
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Cites escalating violence and intimidation
Associated Press Jun 22, 08 8:45 AM CDT
(Newser)
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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.
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With Mugabe looking ready to hold on to power at all costs, exodus is expected
Times (UK) Jun 21, 08 9:40 AM CDT
(Newser)
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Zimbabwe's neighbors are preparing for a flood of refugees after next week's election, the London Times reports. About 3 million have already fled Robert Mugabe's regime to South Africa, Zambia, and Botswana. As it becomes increasingly clear that Mugabe will not give up power even if he loses the election, it is feared that millions more will soon be driven out.
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Opposition may withdraw to end violence
BBC Jun 20, 08 6:49 AM CDT
(Newser)
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Morgan Tsvangirai is seriously considering dropping out of Zimbabwe’s presidential run-off vote, an official in his party tells the BBC, in view of the mounting campaign of violence against his supporters and the diminishing prospects for fair polling. “There is a huge avalanche of calls and pressure from supporters across the country… not to accept to be participants in this charade,” said an MDC spokesman.
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South African president meets with Mugabe, though agenda unclear
Guardian (UK) Jun 18, 08 3:05 PM CDT
(Newser)
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South African president Thabo Mbeki visited counterpart Robert Mugabe in Zimbabwe today, the Guardian reports, an attempt to play the role of mediator ahead of run-off elections June 27. With the UN warning that 5 million could face starvation in a country plagued by political violence, Mbeki's agenda was unclear—particularly since Zimbabwe's main opposition accuses him of siding with Mugabe.
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Threatens 'bush war' if 'British puppets' elected
Independent (UK) Jun 14, 08 10:05 AM CDT
(Newser)
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As an opposition leader arrested on charges of treason appeared in court in Zimbabwe today, President Robert Mugabe was declaring that his competitors in the Movement for Democratic Change would never be allowed to rule the country, even if they win the upcoming runoff presidential election, the Independent reports. "We will return to the bush to fight," he told a crowd of youth members of his party. "We can't allow the British to dominate us through their puppets."
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No. 2 faces treason charges; Tsvangirai detained, released
Associated Press Jun 12, 08 2:57 PM CDT
(AP)
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President Robert Mugabe's regime struck at the opposition leadership today, just two weeks before Zimbabwe's presidential runoff election, twice detaining his challenger and jailing the opposition party's No. 2 official on treason charges, which carry the death penalty. Presidential candidate Morgan Tsvangirai was stopped at a roadblock and held at a police station for about two hours before being released. He returned to campaigning, and was again detained by police.
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Analysis
Odds look bad for smooth Mugabe exit
Times (UK) Jun 9, 08 10:40 AM CDT
(Newser)
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As Robert Mugabe’s war against his political opponents—and anyone who supports them—intensifies in the run-up to the run-off, Royal African Society Director Richard Dowden breaks down the possible endgames for the London Times . Morgan Tsvangirai takes power, after winning a majority. Odds: zero. Even if Mugabe’s violent intimidation and vote rigging somehow fail, he won’t concede. Mugabe and Tsvangirai form a Kenyan-style unity government. Odds: less than zero. Neither side is interested.
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