Maravi

Tsvangirai calls for Zim transitional mechanism

Tsvangirai calls for Zim transitional mechanism
By George Chellah and Kingsley Kaswende
Thursday June 26, 2008 [04:00]

MOVEMENT for Democratic Change (MDC) president Morgan Tsvangirai has called for a transitional mechanism to replace the presidential runoff. And Tsvangirai accused the media of being sensational by reporting on his seeking of refuge at the Dutch Embassy when there were so many Zimbabweans that were currently suffering.

Briefing the press today after leaving the Dutch Embassy, Tsvangirai said SADC and the AU must lead an expanded initiative to set up a transitional period that would allow the country to heal and consequently be a soft landing for the Zimbabwe crisis.
"I've been in touch with a number of African leaders, among them being Zambia's President Levy Mwanawasa, Tanzania's President Jakaya Kikwete and Senegalese President Abdoulaye Wade," he said. "Our proposal to move this country forward is being accepted."

Tsvangirai called on the government to release all political prisoners as well as the party's secretary general Tendai Biti who is currently in detention for treason.
He said Biti was an indispensable asset of the opposition party and that there would be no movement forward without him. Tsvangirai also said the finest details of the transition would be discussed and decided by the Southern African Development Community (SADC).

"There is no discussion about moving forward without our secretary general Tendai Biti," he said. "Biti is an important member of our party and he must be freed."

He appealed to African heads of state meeting in Egypt to discuss the Zimbabwe crisis.
"The time for action is now. The people and the country can't wait any longer," Tsvangirai said. "Any election arrogantly conducted on Friday will not be recognised by the MDC."

He said he was prepared to negotiate with the Zimbabwean government before and not after tomorrow's runoff election which he described as a sham.

Tsvangirai said the House of Assembly representatives and Senators who were voted for in the last election must be sworn in and should commence business immediately.
And when asked to confirm whether he had sought refuge at the Dutch Embassy, Tsvangirai accused the media of being sensational.

"You media are very sensational. Going to the Dutch Embassy becomes news instead of the people that are being beaten and don't have food," he said. "Am I at the Dutch Embassy right now?"
Tsvangirai also admitted that he had met South African President Thabo Mbeki's delegation that had been in Zimbabwe since Friday.
"I've met the delegation from President Mbeki's delegation and they only managed to meet President Mugabe yesterday," said Tsvangirai. "We'll continue meeting them and we can't refuse any effort that is going to lead to the solution to the crisis in Zimbabwe. We remain open."

Tsvangirai also maintained that the MDC had officially pulled out of the runoff elections and that they would not recognise the outcome.

Labels: MDC, MORGAN TSVANGIRAI

posted by MrK @ 4:37 AM