Maravi

(TALKZIMBABWE) Embattled Tsvangirai calls for emergency retreat
This article was written by Our reporter on 22 August, at 17 : 44 PM

MDC-T leader Morgan Tsvangirai has summoned his party leadership to an emergency retreat this weekend, amid reports that they are calling for him to resign as party leader. He has failed three attempts to unseat President Mugabe.

There is widespread frustration, anger and despair following the fraudulent July 31 elections. Tsvangirai will also be meeting with strategic partners such as civil society organisations.

The party’s last line of appeal against the elections through Sadc became increasingly difficult as President Mugabe was made Sadc’s Deputy Chairman, effectively meaning that he will have to deal with any reports from the MDC-T. Zimbabwe has also joined the Sadc Troika.

The MDC-T was also shocked by the announcement in Lilongwe at the weekend that President Mugabe would succeed Malawi’s Joyce Banda as the chairperson of the regional body next year.

Party members say they are frustrated by what they see as a lack of leadership in Tsvangirai and those at the top – especially those who they perceive to have missed the golden opportunity to effect change while sitting in Parliament for the past five years.

The party’s treasurer-general, Roy Bennett, resigned last week saying he was utterly frustrated at the arrogance of those in leadership.

Tsvangirai is said to have launched a nation-wide grassroots outreach campaign to fortify his supporters in the wake of the announcement by Sadc that Zimbabwe elections were fair, peaceful and credible.

The MDC-T national spokesperson, Douglas Mwonzora confirmed the emergency meeting, saying: “We will be reviewing our position at a special retreat of the National Executive.

“We are going to be re-strategising regarding how we can carry forward with the struggle.”

Tsvangirai’s spokesperson, Luke Tamborinyoka, told The Zimbabwean newspaper that the party still had options to revitalise itself in the post-election period, maintaining that they had not yet exhausted the diplomatic route.

“Of course, what happened at the Sadc summit dampens spirits but we remain positive. Sadc is still to issue its final report on the elections and we are engaging all the countries in the region,” he said.

Labels: MDC, MORGAN TSVANGIRAI

posted by MrK @ 6:22 PM