Maravi

Tsvangirai leaves Dutch embassy

Tsvangirai leaves Dutch embassy
By George Chellah in Harare, Zimbabwe
Wednesday July 02, 2008 [04:00]

OPPOSITION Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) leader Morgan Tsvangirai has left the Dutch embassy in Harare where he sought refuge last week. Dutch Foreign Ministry spokesperson Rob Dekker yesterday announced in the Netherlands that Tsvangirai left the Dutch embassy on Monday after observing that the situation in the country was calm enough for him to return to his home for the time being.

However, Dekker said the Dutch embassy staff in Harare would remain in close contact with Tsvangirai. Last week, Tsvangirai sought refugee in the Dutch embassy claiming that it was not safe for him after he announced his decision to pull out of last Friday's presidential election runoff.

His decision to seek refuge in the Dutch embassy in Harare was announced by the Dutch foreign ministry at The Hague.

But Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) commissioner general Augustine Chihuri criticised Tsvangirai's move saying there was no threat on the MDC leader's life to justify his decision to hide at the embassy.

And when asked by journalists last Friday whether he would return to the Dutch embassy after the press conference, Tsvangirai, who could neither deny nor confirm his hiding at the embassy, accused the media of being sensational.

Since he went into hiding, the MDC leader has addressed two press conferences at his residence and returned to the embassy.

Labels: EMBASSIES, MORGAN TSVANGIRAI

posted by MrK @ 4:18 AM