The elections in Zimbabwe will go ahead. That is despite opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai pulling out of the race because of the relentless murder and intimidation of his supporters by Robert Mugabe’s war veterans.
The Movement for Democratic Change says 86 of it’s supporters have been killed by them and two hundred thousand have been displaced. MDC rallies have been banned, leaders arrested and harassed, food aid hasn’t been given to opposition areas and Zanu-PF supporters have been used as election officials.
So when it has been widely acknowledged this won’t be a free and fair election, was this the time for Morgan Tsvangirai to stand and fight through the ballot box?
In his press conference yesterday, when he announced his decision to withdraw, Tsvangirai said “we believe an election that reflects the will of the people is impossible”. He went on to appeal to the United Nations, the African Union and the Southern Africa Development Community to “intervene and stop the genocide”.
And the tone of some of Zimbabwe’s African neighbours seems to be starting to change. The leader of neighbouring Zambia, Levy Mwanawasa – who is head of SADC said a vote held in current conditions would be an “embarrassment” to the region.
Meanwhile, African Union Commission chairman Jean Ping said he was worried about the situation and the US and UK have said they are prepared to bring Zimbabwe before the UN Security Council over the election violence. However South African President Thabo Mbeki, who is mediating in the crisis, is calling for further dialogue.
Zimbabwean journalist Basildon Peta says Morgan Tsvangarai was wrong to pull out of the election. Has Tsvangirai wasted the best opportunity to remove Robert Mugabe from power and follow the will of the people? Or was he right to put the safety of his supporters before anything else? And if so, why did it take him so long to withdraw while his supporters were being murdered and intimidated?
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BBC World Have Your Say 
He really hasn’t wasted an opportunity to remove Mugabe from his position because there was no opportunity. By pulling out of the run-offs, Tsvangirai has kept people alive. That’s more important than staying in a rigged election.
“Or was he right to put the safety of his supporters before anything else? And if so, why did it take him so long to withdraw while his supporters were being murdered and intimidated?”
I believe that Tsvangirai may have miscalculated foreign intervention. I think he was planning on foreign authorities like the UN to intervene once they saw people being intimidated, but adequate assistance never came.
Yes
I have no idea what it is like to be Tsvangirai, but such in such a severe environment how would any of us act? I have no idea what it is like to face intimidation, and murder over elections. However, even if he had remained in the run off, given Mugabe madness; I don’t think Mugabe would have recognized the results with more violence to follow.
Aren’t there many people out there who care about what is happening in Zimbabwe? Is it just the foreign media that is interested in how Mugabe rules his country? Probably yes to both these issues.
Mort Tsvangirai has not exactly let his people down but he has certainly capitulated to Bob Mugabe by quitting, just giving up. I don’t know what the Zimbabwean ballot looks like but if he is still on it or if there is allowance for a write-in candidate perhaps his supporters can still indicate their preference. It would be better if he had stayed in the race and have Mugabe blatantly and ruthlessly steal the election for all the world to see than just to quit and give legitimacy to any result, rigged or not.
It’s hard to take Peta’s criticism of Tsvangarai seriously since it was written from such a safe distance, but if Tsvangarai is as capable a leader as he and his followers say then we have to assume he made the best choice.
Give Mr Tsvangirai credit for his undeniable courage thus far. Who will show more spirit than he has? He is realistic in his assessment of Mugabe’s ruthlessness. I hope he survives to stand another day. The ANC and UN are negligent in allowing this situation to continue. One weeps for Zimbabwe.
NO, he didn’t.
Majority of those who argue that Morgan did disappoint his followers are speaking from the standpoint of CLEAR ignorance (of the facts). I bet that most of them don’t even know where this place called Zimbabwe is located on the map.
For those of us who have been to the region in the past 2 weeks and seen things for ourselves (no only watching on the TV alone), the Zimbabwean story is at best NAUSEATING. The young man Morgan Tsvangarai only took the WIEST, RATIONAL decision that was available for him. In was indeed the BOLDEST step he has taken in the present circumstance.
I dare to say that instead of the world conceiving anything like disappointment in this matter, we should ALL be rallying around young African to get the BEST FIX on this matter. The world should be busy bringing to the fore, any other available option to get the country Zimbabwe out of the stalemate that it has found itself.
As far as I am concerned, the topic of whether or not someone has been disappointed does NOT EXIST. If you think it does, then tell me WHAT YOU WOULD HAVE DONE, where you to be in his shoes that would heave reduced the pain, bloodshed and suffering of his multitude supporters, most of whom became hunted by the Junta in their own Country……
Mr. Mugabe a guttersnipe leader should be tried sooner rather than later for crimes against humanity. It would be more fitting if he was horse whipped and beaten before his trial, so that he he can feel the same pain he has rendered to the many people of Zimbabwe. He is either a “mug” or a “mugger’ as his name suggests. Mr. Tsvangirai has little choice in taking part in an election that is tainted with so much abuse so that it cant be a fair election which will probably result in Mugabe remaining in power by crooked and diabolical means. Strange the neighbouring countries does nothing about it, they probably feel it is more convenient for them to do nothing.
He has no option. As has been said above by so doing he is saving lives we hope. Western Politicians are doing similar with The Lisbon Treaty yet are ready to criticise Mugabe. Less violent perhaps but are we not in a similar situation? Modern politicians must be the highest paid hypocrites!
I think no matter the situation, Morgan Tsvangarai should have remain in the race for the whole world to know that Mugabe is not capable of winning elections any more in Zimbabwe.
Withdrawing from the race will give Mugabe the right to declare himself winner. Withdrawing from the is an act of betrayer to those staunch and determined people of Zimbabwe who would go at any including sacrificing their lives to ensure that Mugabe is booted out of power. Withdrawing from the race is a cowardy that shows that Tsvangarai is not willing to do the ultimate sacrifice to liberate the people of Zimbabwe.
If Nelson Mendela and others who fought against the aparthied rule in South Africa for the liberation of the people of color were going to withdraw from the fight because people were being killed, imprisoned, displaced or exiled or they (the freedom fighter) lives were threatened, the people of South Africa would not have tasted freedom by this time. Withdrawing from the race brings out the coward in Tsvangarai.
Do we teach our children to meet violence with violence? No. Is that not what the MDC would’ve done to push further? Mugabe’s own wife Grace declared that he wouldn’t concede power and who would know better? It will take the will of the people to remove Mugabe now, or await his death, they have to find the strength to make their lives improve and now the world must answer when they call for help. The model set by the MDC of non-violent resistance must rule the way forward. Another perfect example of power corrupting absolutely, but there are consequences in Nature for such behavior. Accepting this passive reaction to his heavy hand could well kill him, if the people can find the will the action has already happened.
This question is continuing to generate a lot of debate in my workplace and our emotions are flying all over the place.
Where Morgan found himself and his party was between the ROCK and the HARD PLACE. Here violence was not on the decrease but increasing. Here is a situation whereby one party is not free to campaign; one party has no access to public or state media; one party is not allowed to travel the length and breadth of this country as it pleases.
Just to further demonstrate the level of insecurity in Zimbabwe, everyone seems to fear for his life. Morgan, I am told is presently holding up in a Dutch embassy due to security concerns. Feelers across the boarders of Zimbabwe and South Africa has it that everyone ‘that is in the ruling party has been permitted to use any weapon on who ever is perceived as MDC
As far as we are concerned MORGAN IS A HERO. Better days lie ahead of Zimbabwe. This dark shadow will one day clear up and become history.
I have no appropriate description for Mugabe! But Morgan has taken decision that any brilliant Man would take. It is useless to contest in a race which not only puts your life at risk, but also endangers the lives of other innocent citizens. There is no hope for Victory on the side of Morgan and for as long as he continues in the race, more lives will be lost.
Let Mugabe enjoy his last days because soon or later, he will be gone. No man is an Island, we have seen Dictators come and go even those who vowed to rule for life like IDI AMIN here in Uganda. There is no doubt that Mugabe will be gone soon either as a result of Natural factors like his age or other forces.
What Mugabe has done to the people of Zimbabwe shows that he is not Zimbabwean and that he does not care about the Nationals. It’s about him and his friends. It is a shame!
Mugabe will die miserably or will spend his last days in an international prison.
GOD BLESS AFRICA
Democracy is only a joke in Africa. Zimbabwe is what it is today because of a mindset which regards nobody but self and Old Rob is only a picture what Zimbabwe is capable of being. Is it possible for a leopard to change its skin? If so, then give Zanu-PF a chance! If you have ever been to Zimbabwe, you’d understand what is happening there today. Remember, Pride goes before a fall!
@Umoh From Nigeria,
We in Liberia were faced with similar situation during the regime of then President Charles Taylor. At the time when I was attending the University of Liberia, we on several occassions organized demonstrations against the tyrant in Mr. Taylor. We were jailed, tortured, and some of our colleagues even loosed their lives, that didn’t make us to stop our campaign against the regime. We were determined to go on until the ultimate end.
Even at the peril of our lives, we in the student communities continued the struggle until we were finally free from opression.
I beleive if Morgan is a true freedom fighter, then the freedom of his people should come first. After all no freedom comes free. At times it comes with the spilling of blood.
bbc
as we know there is a critical situation in zimbabwe
letus know that morgan tsvangaria is right to pull out the race of election,all his suppurters are killed.touchered ,it is good the intertanional community to interver deeply the mobagi regime,
if we are the community of africa we say mogabi shame please. don,t let your people crises, like somalia ,
good example is somalia is 18 year of conflict
GEELJIRE: in somaliland
No he has not. He has put the innocent lives of his supporters first, knowing that, that Piece of rubbish, RJ Mugabe will stop at nothing, including crushing Morgan himself to stay in power.
Since the world has looked the other way over the years while Mugabe raped this great Nation of everthing they had at independence, Morgan has no option than to think ahead, pull out so that his supportes’ may live to fight another day.
As I suggested in this forum before, Let the Zimbabweans borrow a leaf from their brother in Kenya – teach him a lesson like many dictators and killers have.
I have a message for Mugabe though, Sir, you may kill them, but definately not all of them. Every dog has its day, and yours is coming!
No, he didn’t… In fact Mr Tsvangarai has prooved that not all politicians are actually narcissists who put their own ambitions and aspirations for power as their number one priority even if that means stepping upon their people in order to reach to the ruling palace… By his decision to pull out, Mr Tsvangarai favoured preserving the lives of his own people upon his own political ambitions and aspirations… Bless you Mr Tsvangarai ! I wish if were in Iraq leaders like you ! With my love… Yours forever, Lubna…
I do not get the impression that he has any principle that is independent of the British government. If he has any, it does not include, I believe, nationalism, sovereignty, independences, freedom, and, most important, the best and overriding interest of indigenous Zimbabweans.
Prince Awele Odor
Lagos, Nigeria
No,How many divisions does Morgan Tsvanirai have,most of the world countries are “facts on the ground”kind of places ie. might is right, power flows from the barrel of a gun etc.
There isn’t any group I am aware of that is involved in an armed insurgency in Zimbabwe that’s putting any pressure on the regime ,if there were maybe Mugabe would have to deal with the moderate Mr.Tsvangirai.
If it was just Tsvangarai being harrassed, one could make a case for him sticking in the election and sticking it out… but its nothing near so simple as that. The people of Zimbabwe are clearly divided on this issue in the first place. Nearly half of them still want Mugabe in there, for God only knows what reason. So Tsvangarai doesn’t have the massive upwelling of support to draw upon which he would need in order to stand in the face of Mugabe’s brutality __And expect to win__.
Right now, people are so terrorized that he wouldn’t get enough votes to win whether he stuck it out or not. And while armchair politicians around the world love pointless gestures and martyrdom, they are rarely the ones being offered up as martyrs.
So it was a choice between pointless gesture which killed many of the people he was supposed to be representing and helping with his candidacy, or withdraw and save the lives of people who follow him.
Withdrawing speaks more to the measure and mettle of Tsvangarai as a good leader than anything else he has done in this fiasco.
Although I know that standing down will be twisted by Mugabe for his own use, I am a practical person. What if Mr Tsvangirai had continued what would have been the outcome?
Only a fool would believe he could officially win the election (and perhaps only a fool would believe he could in reality lose it?). The people who have been reported as the true leaders of the country, the generals, would come out and support their puppet Mugabe and imprison Tsvandgirai whilst inflicting untold horrors on his supporters. Whilst it is everybody’s right to die for democracy if they so chose, could Morgan Tsvangirari rightly continue knowing that the result would be deaths of his followers, those that he is trying to free?
By standing down perhaps Mr Tsvangirai will spare the pointless violence against his supporters and allow time for them to regroup and campaign against Mugabe in future.
Tsvangarai did the right thing, mugabe had no intention of handing over even if Tsvangarai had won. He said “he would rather go to war than hand over to the mdc”. His actions would in restropect save lives beacause mugabe’s militia would have ensured mdc supporters were killed. He did the right Thing by putting the lives of his supporters first, a selfless act not very common with african leaders. mugabe was and is hell bent on any at any cost.
Nelson from Nigeria
Good day All,
I had serious doubts about Mr. Mugabe’s integrity and they were confirmed when the previous elections were held on a Saturday (Sabbath) for those of us who are Sabbathkeepers.No self-respecting and human rights honouring government holds election on a day that will surely disenfranchise a sizeable portion of the electorate who are conscientious Sabbathkeepers. Saturday is our rest day! We don’t engage in secular activities on the Sabbath. I wouldn’t be surprise if the run-off election for president was also set for a Sabbath.
It is not an accident why he set the election day for a saturday. He knew well that Sabbathkeepers would vote him out of office!
That undemocratic act of holding saturday elections was enough for me to see into the perverted mind of Robert Mugabe. At a time when the world is fixated on one of the best from the African diaspora, Barack Obama, up comes this ugly, dying and decaying relic of the past- Robert Mugabe trying to jostle for the lime light.
If only America had not lost its worldwide prestige and respect because of president GWB, America would have spoken and the little despot would have no alternative but listen up. But Alas, the misguided policies of GWB has made the world a worst place- well positioned for the emergence of many more little dictators..
My prayers and heart goes out to the patiently suffering people of Zimbabwe. There is a saying in Jamaica- “donkey seh wol’ nuh level and a true!” It is indeed true that this world is most unequal and unfair.
Carlos, Kingston-Jamaica
Morgan did what he felt that he had to do. He was balancing his democratic ambition with the lives of his supporters, and he chose the lives of his supporters. In addition, he has made it perfectly clear to the world that the election will not be considered free and fair by any standard. I think Morgan’s decision noble.
Robert Mugabe is nothing but a thug and a bully who, through economic mismanagement and croneyism, has destroyed what was once one of the brightest jewels in Africa.
In the short term, I suspect that Mr. Tsvangirai has saved a few lives and stopped the violence. But after the election, when Mr. Mugabe regains control over the country, I expect a wave of violence and intimidation in order to ‘re-align the population with the goals of its leadership.’ How this man can stand in front of the UN with a straight face and deny the violence his government perpetrates is sickening. And the fact that the developed, rich nations like the UK, the US, my own Canada and others can stand by and do nothing is atrocious. There is only one way and one way only to deal with a bully: hit him so hard he never wants to hit you back again. But that begs the problem: how do you hit bullies armed and supported by the government?
This is a situation which requires the hammer and the fist. Where Iraq was questioned, this should be no question whether it should be delt with by force. If Africa won’t do it, the UN needs to. If the UN won’t do it…
I find it very difficult to understand why the West wants Thabo Mbeki to openly criticise Robert Mogabe, when we have other African leaders doing the same. Are they saying they would rather recognise his critcism of Mogabe more than those of other African Leaders COMBINED ? I don’t think he can single-handedly
bring peace in Zimbabwe as the West seems to believe.
Yahaya Normah, Ghana
People say that they would vote for the opposition, but in the last election, even if Mugabe was stuffing the ballot boxes, a significant number of people voted ZanuPF. Would people *really* have had the courage to vote for Tsvangarai again, after their will was ignored the first time?
No. When people are being killed, you just have to face facts. We’ve heard of the deaths of 87 activists. How many unamed people will have been brutalized and murdered, and how many more would have been leading up to Friday and beyond? The ordinary folks need help.
If Africa won’t do it, the UN needs to. If the UN won’t do it…
In leaving the Democratic process altogether any African country opens itself up to the kind of warlords such as M.F. Aidid, who took over Somalia. Eventually the people will find a leader and now they have no other course but to fight the power. If the UN does not act then the people will find another leader, there’s too much opposition to suppress anymore. Do we really want to wait to pick up the pieces of another movement by violent force?
e-Mailed from Daniel in China.
Morgan Tsvangirai has done the best thing a clever man can do.
The so called United Nations is toothless bull dog, if Mugabe finally kill Morgan, the world will make noise for few weeks and forget about him.
My questions now is that who and who will take care of the children left behind by the supporters of Morgan that have been killed by Mugabe.
Freedom of speech has been sacrifice for economic benefits that’s the world we’re living.
Daniel Lawal from China.
I think Mr. Tsvangarai made the right decision becausehis supported and many people have been killed. My heart goes out for the people in Zimbabwe but I don’t think things will change anytime soon. Similar problems occur in many places in Africa.
I am not sure Basil has a very clear idea of the logistics involved, but from *outside* the radio, he seemed to be talking about a revolution rather than a coup, because the armed forces are controlled by Mugabe’s cronies.
Regards,
Heather
Seattle, WA
How many more people have to die in order for an evil man to retain power? How sad and discouraging is the situation in Zimbabwe. One thing I know, the president of Zimbabwe is not a legitimate leader. He has been running a mockery of a free democratic election.
However, Morgan Tsvangirai did the right thing for the safety and the good of the citizens in Zimbabwe.
May God bless those that are fighting for their freedom.
Solomon
Salt Lake City, Utah
USA
Linda from Slough has not been in Zimbabwe lately, and has no idea how it is like to live in fear of death. Morgan has done the right thing. The electoral environment during the first round was fairly even, with independent polling agents and local observers in every station.
Now, out of 12000 observers, less than 500 have been accredited, and the polling agents are all partisan.
I think, heather, Basil was suggesting you cut the head off the serpent to kill the snake.
In 28 years why hasn’t President Robert Mugabe got round to completing the land reform process ,surely that would have been the first order of business after “freedom”or”liberation”.
How would Tsvangirai handle this problem ,could he argue with the AFRICA FOR THE AFRICANS sentiment,doubt it.
Disappointing? Yes.
But if someone chopped off your wife’s hands and feet, then tossed the body into your house and set the whole on fire you too might think that you need to find a different path to freedom.
Back the notion of response on the blog: the only real answer we can derive is that now there is only one supporter of Mugabe. Everyone else who has spoken on this thread does not support him. Judging that the Zimbabwean people will reflect at least a similar majority there’s only the way to defeating those who would violently oppose Mugabe’s removal.
Dear World Have Your Say;
It seems to me that Morgan Tsvangirai was really left with no choice in the face of mounting violence and chaos. It seems evident that Robert Mugabe stole the first election and if – through either intimidation, fraud, or a combination of the two, Mugabe is able to steal the run-off then where will that leave the citizens of Zimbabwe? It seems the only logical step was for Tsvangirai to bow out and point the finger at a deeply flawed and illegitimate process. In fact I believe he stayed in the election process too long already – hence granting a legitimacy that, at least from my perspective, is underserved.
Sincerely,
Bob
Northern California, USA
My greatest concern in the Mugabe vs Tsvangirai Political contest is that Nigerians are the victims of it. How? Governor Olusaola Saraki of Kwara State, in order to spite Mugabe, invited the some farmers who are the generation children of the British colonialists to Nigeria and it is believed that they are growing G.M.Crops.
Prince Awele
Lagos, Nigeria
Where is the call for not getting involved with Zimbabwe because Egypt also has rigged Presidential elections, like Russia; where is this cowardice statement that’s echoing in the background?
It’s not to be found because people in Zimbabwe are starving, dying of thirst and hunger, and being butchered in addition. People in Egypt are prosperous, and wealthy and the economy is on the rise just like Russia with oil as a primary reason. It’s pure ignorance to think that 10,000% inflation will just disappear and the people will have the ability to afford food. This is the attitude that ends up with people being gunned down coming for international food aid. This is what forces the use of more international force because the people have lost all hope.
Ghandi, Martin Luther King Jr, Jesus, Mohammed, Malcolm X, Che Guevarra.
Dead men DO win causes.
SADEC is to be be blamed too because they are intervening when the milk is already spilt. Mugabe and his allies should know what happened in Liberia & he should know he has not been elected legitimately, he is in office illegally!
OSWERA in kampala.
What’s the point of Morgan’s participating in the run-off? He won outright already! What needs to be done is for the detailed results (the photos taken by the MDC) of the first round to be published on the internet so that eveyone can see them.
Shaun… that’s a really stupid statement. You are trying to validate the death of great leaders as a way to achieve a cause. On that path, if we could somehow get someone to name George W. Bush a great leader, we could have him killed and all the world’s problems would disapear. Not.
One of the great tragedies of this world, is that great and good men are often killed by little insignificant men with petty grievances. The good those great people could have done had they remained alive would have been so much greater. (And Jesus doesn’t count in this discussion… technically by christian doctrine he came back to life so he wasn’t a “martyr” in the sense you are arguing for)
Can anyone really argue that Kennedy, King, Ghandi… did more dead than they could have done alive?
Tsvangarai is basically now in a war with Mugabe. The opening shots have been fired by Mugabe, and Tsvangarai doesn’t have a strong enough position to take him on by himself right now. As the old saying goes… The point isn’t to die for your country, the point is to make the other guy die for HIS country.
After the first election, Mugabe went to the extent of arresting some officers from the Electoral Commission and delayed the results for over a month! We all know he lost that election by more than 50% judging from his behaviour and the number of parliamentary seats he had lost. This, to me, shows that even if all Zimbabweans were to vote against Mugabe, the result was still going to be doctored in his favour and so many people would have died for nothing.
Morgan has done well to withdraw from the race as this may save a few of the remaining lives.
Lovemore,
Lusaka,
Zambia.
Zak,
Do you think it is that they’ve lost hope or they support Mugabe? Obviously by the last rigged election it doesn’t seem to be the case but I do wonder. Do you think there should be some sort of international force used or will it just cause more harm? I think it will cause more harm. The African people really need to show that they want to fight for their cause before anyone can help them.
This has signal to the world that Africa politics is nasty and stupid.
The decision of the opposition leaders was the right one, because the runoff come Friday won’t be free and fair.
I hope the UN will dishonour the election and don’t see Mugabe as the legitimate President of Zimbabwe.
I will like world leaders to take the footstep of the British Minister to Africa and Asia who said Mugabe is not seen as the legitimate President of Zimbabwe after Friday runoff and will urge the UN to put heavy sanction Zimbabwe.
Shame on Mugabe why won’t you allow the people to make their decision.
m Tsvangarai shouldn’t have bowed out of the election. It is true that his supporters are being persecuted by the government(or its sympathisers) but I don’t believe that bowing out is the best choice. Why make a lot of people die before this late decision.
This man is appearing to me to be one of the self centered politicians who are ruining the african continent. In the 1st place he quickly left zimbabwe after the 1st round of voting and returned only when he saw that he was losing his support base at home. People were saying he had abandoned them and began to see him (I think) for who he really is. Now with less than a week to the voting, having found very good reason to run away(the persecution of his supporters) he has done what he did after the 1st round. Now guys, please don’t get me wrong. I’m not supporting the
political violence of the ZANU-PF in any way. I totally condemn it, but I want all of you to see that Tsvangarai thinks 1st about his own safety and political career. He is not a stateman and nobody should accord him this status. He realised, when he ‘jumped boat’ the 1st time that he had fell out of favor even within the core of his party and so had to do something to salvage himself to still be the leader next time round that was why he grudgingly went back. Remember what he put out before he entered the country after the election. He said there was a plan to kill him! Now he has quickly run to the Dutch embassy. Listen guys, Dr. Nkrumah(God bless his soul) became the prime minister of Ghana when he was in jail. The then colonial government had no alternative than to release him. Nkrumah had so endered himself to the ordinary Ghanaian so much so that although there were other people in the race with him who were free to go out and campaign Nkrumah from prison where he wasn’t free to campaign(in fact it was very difficult for the CPP to organise any meaningful campaign publicly this activity thrived on the quiet ie. from house to house in whispers in the dark) won the elections. I advise the MDC to as a matter of urgency to find a new pragmatic leader who would continue with the land reform policy of the government but who can endure political persecution and be prepared to die if needs be for a just course like JJ Rawlings of Ghana, Nelson Mandela of South Africa etc did and not a pretender and self seeking man like Tsvangarai who pretend they are seeking the good of our people but in reality are selfish politicians. I want to ask Mr. Tsvangarai some personal question here. Brother, are you better than any of the over 70 persons whom you yourself claim believe in your ideas and who have been killed just because they were out campaigning for u? What harm would it have been if you had allowed your name to still be on the ballot sheet for people to vote for you? Why didn’t you give your followers this opportunity to vote for you and let the ZANU-PF steal the result for the whole world to see? For all you know your people would have voted for you like Ghana did for Nkrumah and who under such circumstances would want to alter the results? To me my brother, you are just one of the current breed of politicians who cannot stand up and fight for our people. You are not a stateman and I’m not deceived by this your current gimmick Our great continent from now on need statemen to be at the realm of affairs. Africa need strong leaders who can stand up and fight for us against wicked foreign powers and if you have chicken out AT THE LAST MINUTE after other brave warriors have laid down their lives just for you to move Zimbabwe forward then judge for yourself if you really deserve to be their leader. Why didn’t they say we should just quit for there will be a ‘next time’ as you are now saying but died campaigning for you? Let me tell you the plain truth. Their souls are deeply disappointed in you. God bless Africa and save us from quack selfish, selfseeking politicians who put their own safety and comfort before national interests. Amen
No more Zimbabwe problem?
Zimbabwe’s neighbors should invade Zimbabwe, with full arms backing from great powers, exterminate under war conditions as many Zanu-PF diehards as possible, then install a compliant strongman, whilst keeping Zimbabwe under seperate foreign spheres of influence.
No point criticizing Mugabe. He’ll never listen, he never had. Another is to bribe him with millions (put up by great powers and oil-rich countries) and let him retire in luxury in the Gulf.
It is important to understand the political situation of Zimbabwe: (i)Robert Mugabe, though a cunning and suspicious man who tricked his fellow freedom fighters to demise (e.g. J. Nkomo), was also a secret supporter of ANC leadership in exile. Small wonder, Thabo Mbeki is reluctant to disown his mentor, (ii) Tsvangarai stood no chance to win in the repeat election: actually he would have in effect endorsed Mugabe by his participation – to participate is to trust the outcome. You cannot say that if Tsvangarai wins then it is fair, if Mugabe wins then unfair. Just as the rigging succeeded in the first place, this time it would succeed without hitches, (iii) those who claim Tsvangarai lacked principle by opting out fail to realize that “refusal to participate is itself as statement” that Mugabe cannot be trusted in such an important issue. Let it be known that he is illegitimately in power.
The author of the article in the papers failed to read the sentiments of Zimbabweans, lacked political knowledge of Zimbabwe and presented a false portrait of a national hero: Morgan Tsvangarai.
morgan tsvangirai has not let his pepole down in deciding to pull out of the election.
the world should know what is happening in Zimbabwe. It is a bad example for Africa
and should not be allowed to go ahead. what does Mugabe thinks he is in Zimbabwe.
he cannot be stronger than the people of Zimbabwe.morgan tsvangirai has not at all let his people down.
jasper asagaya
Morgan has done the only thing he could do that was proper and right.
God only knows what will happen in Zimbabwe now….
Barry Johnston
I hesitate on posting because I am not olitically minded, I am not a Zimbabwean — I’m not even African. I feel inadequate to discuss such issues.
But, I do wonder this:
Mugabe has shown himself to be a ruthless man. We all agree — well most of us — that he has proven to be selfish and power hungry.
Couldn’t someone have predicted violence?
It seemed a likely option.
Didn’t Moran know what the cost was in such an election?
Did he think that Mugabe was just going to hand over power?
He was frightened enough to flea the country after the first elections — yes, still put his supporters in harm’s way.
If he was frightened enough to leave the country, then, wouldn’t he, logically, then, drop out of the race, if he was doing the right thing for his supporters?
What about those people who died in the hopes that there would actually be an election — not just so Morgan could be president, but so the people’s voice would be heard: “Mugabe has got to go.” Somehow The AU and other orgs are either saying:
“I’m not in Africa, so its not my business.”
or
“There’s no oil,”
or
“It’s not as bad as the media portrays it — Look, Mugabe has many supporters.”
And, why did Morgan leave the country for so long after the first election?
To save himself wen others were getting slaughtered?
The question is:
“Did Morgan do the right thing?”
Maybe I am not qualified to even anser:
But, the more I think about it: Maybe not!
Obviously, there ineds to be another man a brave man, one who can analyze things and understand the costs — to overthrow Mugabe.
But, ask yourself this question:
Knowing Morgan’s actions in the last two months – do you think that he would be a suitable president?
I didn’t ask, “Do you think that he would be better than Mugabe?” We all know that question.
Just:
“Do you really think that he would be beneficial to the healing of Zimbabwe.
Obviously, Hezikiah can be as long winded as I am — (smile) —
but I think that he has some serious and valid points.
Yes, if you are still alife, then, maybe you do welcome Morgan pulling out of the race, but what about if your family member has already died for the struggle?
Does Morgan think that by pulling out, it will stop the violence?
It seems that he does not understand Mugabe.
Mugabe seems to be drunk with his own power and Morgan has said:
“since your withdrawal symptoms are a catalyst for violence, I’ll give you a fifth of your best drink — and hope that your greed and violence goes away.”
I could be mistake and please, someone clarify.
And, a better question:
What happens now?
I fear that it will be forgotten, next week.
While I make no strong statement in either direction as to whether Tsvangirai is a great leader, leadership is about a willingness to make and follow through on a decision where there is no good choice, only poor choices. From any point of view, whether it be morally, strategically or politically, Tsvangirai has made the correct choice. It is highly disappointing and distressing that this is the case, however he should be commended for both have the courage and insight to make the choice, and attempting to fight the runoff.
Morgan Tsvangirai was right to withdraw from the presidential elections. He is just a human being. He can’t fight Robert Mugabe who considers himself as appointed by God and only God can remove him from power.
Just for Mugabe to state that only God could remove him from power means that the Zimbabweans have no right to intervene in this divine selection. And as believers in God, it’s their destiny to put up with a God-chosen leader. Any harm that can from him (Mugabe) is just a test for Zimbabwean believers to what extent they can endure in this world before they enjoy the eternal bliss in the other life.
Mugabe as it seems has become drunk with power. He can’t see anyone who can outdo him in Zimbabwe. He doesn’t care about the will of his people. As a God-favourite, he sees them as his disciples. They have no right to choose any way of life without his guidance. It’s better for the Zimbabweans to call him Prophet Mugabe, as it is beneath him even to be called president. With his blessing, they can have mercy from him, at least to live without being beaten up for trivial reasons, like not being able to cite his party’s slogan. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/7460776.stm
Morgan Tsvangirai, was correct and withdraw for the sake of his people of the fine country of Zimbabwe.
Dennis
Onondaga Community College
Syracuse, New York
United States of America
it is a pity that morgan tsvangirai had to resign because of a man such as robert mugabe would have overthrown him anyway. how can you compete a against a tyrant as mugabe somebody should have the balls to kill him the world would be a better place without him.
Morgan and the MDC’s decision to quit the race must be viewed as a step in the right direction.Some of you are calling him a coward when you have no idea what 21st century politics are about. This is not the time to engage political struggle.It is a time for economic emancipation of the poor.Government’s responsibility is to assure economic platforms that empower the people it seeks to govern.The 21st century should be a significant period where we need to shift to a progressive outlook by forging equitable economic partnerships both on the domestic front and internationally.It is gravely retrogressive to embrace pre-colonial political struggles as they have no place in modern day politics.Mugabe’s behaviour is outright irresponsible.I truly believe that the rest of the world has let the people of Zimbabwe down and posterity will judge them harshly.It is not enough for world leaders to urge dialogue or speak on the border line.Leaders have a responsibility to create a peaceful and sustainable environment for the people they lead.The Zimbabwe issue is not one to be resolved through dialogue.You can only dialogue with people or a group of people who have the interest of peace at heart, people who are selfless and progress oriented.These are the basic tenets that Mugabe lacks.African leaders should not hide behind camaraderie in condoning Mugabe’s actions.
The run off election was unconstitutional anyway…it should have taken place within 21 days of the first election. According to item 3 of the Second Schedule of the Electoral Act: where no second election is held or can be held with the requisite 21 day period, and there were two or more candidates for President, and no candidate received a majority of the total number of valid votes cast, item 3(1)(b) provides that the candidate with the greatest number of votes, and not the majority of the total number of votes, shall be the duly elected President.
So, according to this Tsvangirai should be declared the duly elected President.
Ted: Tsvangirai hasn’t resigned…..he hasn’t been overthrown by Mugabe. He simply will not participate in the run off in the current climate of violence and intimidation because it is neither free nor fair. He is still the leader of the MDC, who don’t forget won the Parliamentary election so do have power legislatively (for what it’s worth, which given the complete disregard by the police and military for the rule of law, is probably not much).
As Tsvangirai himself stated: “Victory is certain, it can only be delayed.”
Vanessa
Hey sorry I missed seeing your comment. I think you’re right that we can only help the people once they help themselves. With the one exception that Mugabe will eventually lose control from within, when he becomes frail enough to lose power I do believe there will be a lot of competing interests and that time is soon. Zimbabwe could very well fall under the control of a warlord if no action is taken. So I say that the people must be backed, we must bring in food aid with helicopter gunships if necessary, and if the army resists than we must hold them back until new leadership democratic leadership emerges (we means UN for lack of a Somalia repeat). At such point where they can exercise their free will I do believe they’ll elect someone like MDC. But I don’t think Mugabe’s own faction will let him get to the point of frailty. I honestly think if serious support was given to the people that he would fall likely to his own army because they would realize with him they are as good as dead.
Kevin
Overall there is a large majority of support for MDC here. I have really not heard calls of cowardice, I could be wrong but you would need to cite examples. There is some abundant ignorance to think that simply because Morgan is not so dictatorial as Mugabe that he’s soft from the colonial perspective. I really don’t think that these people have any idea what it’s like to be without food and water, they clearly live in relative comfort to not understand what being deprived of the basic needs can do to a person. MDC does represent some better conditions for the people, now they must rise up to get it.
By stepping down from this fraudulent election Morgan Tsvangirai has called out the OAU, the SADC and President Mbeki of South Africa. Both the two aforementioned institutions and President Mbeki of South Africa are wholly complicit in the ongoing tragedy unfolding in Zimbabwe.
By this action Morgan Txvangirai has forced both the OAU and the SADC to no longer publicly ignore the political thuggery or Robert Mugabe and the war crimes he continues to commit on the Zimbabwean population. For these organizations there is no turning back.
President Mbeki of South Africa can no longer hide behind the rubric of ‘quiet diplomacy’.
Quiet diplomacy doesn’t work with Mugabe nor his Zanu PF.
Can the CIA do us a favor–exterminate Mugabe? Then let Tsvangirai be President, where he should use his power to round up all the Zanu PF loyalists and their families and kill them all. Saves future lives lost in insurgents.
Brutal, but this is tribal Africa. Tribes don’t understand healing.
Can the CIA do us a favor–exterminate Mugabe?
No. It took 100 of our best trained Delta Airborne and Rangers to even begin to restore justice for the people in Somalia against a ragged militia. Zimbabwe has a fair amount of soldiers and a disciplined army, the only way to get to Mugabe is to put enough pressure on his forces to make them fear for their lives and kill him. The UN has been bringing food aid, Mugabe has been stealing it, ‘hunger is his weapon.’ The UN needs to learn from Somalia to enforce the aid with helicopters if necessary. It’s all about pressure to let the people choose their leader is to progress, to impose rule is to regress.
Mr. MT lacks courage and leadership. A man that gained largest votes of his country should learn how to lead his supporters to confront injustice. No power is greater than that of the people. That force is wasted due to timid and opportunistic attitude of opposition leader. He should have been ready for prison, rather than hiding in a foreign embassy.
An African politician afraid of prison will never succeed to change regime. That is fact of life, and any leader without that readiness will bring nothing but disaster and failure to his people. Jail is a duty service for any African leader. THe more you are ready for it, the more you are close to success. Ready for prison, for torture, for every kind of injustice is precondition for leadership.
I don’t hear you able to justify starting a genocide. Nor can he lead if he’s dead and that’s what would’ve happened if he fought so outnumbered. The people are being held at the mercy of their meals; do you know what that feels like? Do you know how it must be for the people to find freedom? No, violence does not solve violence and you have missed that quality in a leader. A leader will not bring the initiative of violence to beget freedom, a leader will see the people to their freedom first. That vision is absent now; it would only be a massacre. With a million to one strong he will enforce the superior advantage of the people and their free choice will elect him a leader.
Opposed to Mr. Tsvabgitai pulling out. Yes, he is letting his people down.
In order to rid ourselves of tyranny, we must fight on, NOT back away and run!
Mugabe now thinks he has won? Morgan Tsvangirai must get back up and stand up to Mugabe. Get back into this political ring and fight for the people of Zimbabwe.
I am praying for the people of Zimbabwe; that God will demonstrate HIS power towards Robert Mugabe!
AMEN!
In as much as I don’t support a sit tight ruler,I honestly believe that the problem of Zimbabwe is their colonial masters,the british.I heard that there are more than ten Presidents in the continent of Africa that have stayed for more years in power than Mugabe.Why is Mugabe’s case different?The answer is simply the fact that, in his undiplomatic way of giving lands back to those it truly belonged,he stepped on many unforgiving toes,hence the sanctions imposed on his country all in a bid to get him out of office.
I’d rather would have thought the british act more responsibly instead of the sanctions option, which has caused the lose of many lives.This act would go down in history as one the world would always refer to,to support any distrust to the western countries particularly britain.It show now that other African leaders would have to do or act in accordance with british dictates.It is very wrong,because it indicates high level hypocrisy.
We all are withnesses to the Bosnian war and the response of the west to the then tyrant, and to the Iraq scandal.But all those involved are sleeping peacefully after inducing the deaths of many,while so called “war criminals” of Bosnia are still being tracked down.Must bullets be fired first to declear war? Unjustified or sentiment guided sanctions too is war crime.Remember that,Africa has a bad record of leadership,so the british stooge Mstvangirai may end up being worse than Mugabe.I think the food ban should be lifted and other means resonable enough employed to solve Zimbabwe’s political problem,if not the people would have to wait for the oldman to pass way.
wonder winston
I hear your sentiment but people cannot fight when they are dying, and MDC cannot lead if their party is killed. They need help, the people will rise up but they need a strong back to deliver them to freedom. God will take away Mugabe but that may not be in time for the people, let them be the movement and the world be the vehicle that carries them on then.
It has been obvious for some time that his political campaign was pointless, he should have left the race weeks ago to help end the violence, and apeal for international help for the innocent people of Zimbabwe. Probably wouldn’t have done any good, Non-African countries don’t care about African countries, as they allow mas rape of children and genocide to go unchecked for the last couple decades.
@Andrew
Please don drink and blog. Killing is not the final solution
If Mr. Tsvangirai has let down his fellow Zimbabweans, then what I can say for ‘President’ Mugabe? Mr. Tsvangirai’s decision to pull out of the elections is simply a screaming siren that there is no democracy in his country and will not be peacefully given the Presidency even when he wins again.
The wave of terror in metted by Mugabe’s government is like a chess grand master knocking off most pieces of a rookie until the rookie is left with only a queen and a kngiht/pawn to defend his king. Mugabe has shamelessly beaten, killed, imprisoned, threatened MDC supporters and denied Tsvangirai his right to Presidency. To top that off, he has ran down Zim’s economy to levels that I ever imagined.
Tsvangirai is tired of being ‘checked’ over and over again. He’s making his final decisions to knock off Mugabe’s king. Checkmate ‘President’ Mugabe. Your move.
Just a point on people fighting…
firstly I believe enforcing more sanctions than there are at present will be extremely detrimental however, the ones in place right now are necessary in order to keep the Zimbabwean peoples anger firmly directed towards Mugabe.Any more and that anger will be directed torwards the west.
Any form of military intervention is in my opinion out of the question. It would not get backing from any African nation let alone SADC. The same goes for an Arican led military intervention. This option also carries with it the problem of legal difficulties with regards to invading a sovereign nation. Just look at Sudan.
African leaders should, as they seem to be doing albeit rather late in the day, vehemently denounce Mugabe and his regime in no uncertain terms. But of course rhetoric can only get you so far. This is why I feel there is something to be said about a military coup. If some prominent figure in Mugabe’s army can go up against him with the force of his loyal followers, I believe it is the only way Mugabe can be removed. I say this with great reluctance because this may just turn out to be the greater evil, but I suppose one could say just as much about Morgan-Do we really know him? He could be anyone. As long as he is against Mugabe, he will be backed by the west, no? He could turn out to be anything including the greater evil.
I think now is the time for South Africa to mount considerable political pressure on the Mugabe government, people are dying in Zimbabwe, so Mbeki should not hide behind any diplomatic or regional allegiance to Zimbabwe, and condone this anarchy in Zimbabwe
The people of that nation have been let down by the outside world that are quick to depose those they want for spurious reasons, but refuse to do ANYTHING about a man who relishes comparing himself to Hitler, and is committing a genocide on anyone who is not part of his tribe.
Hi Chloe,
What an odd question. Perhaps had you been stepping over the dead and dying you may have phrased it with less ‘fun at the fair’ casualness. I am sure Morgan made as wise a decision as he could, given the circumstances he finds himself in.
Des Currie
I applaud Morgan Tsvangirai’s decision to pull out of the run-off. He has done his level best to make the political ground just and fair;yet could not succeed simply because Mugabe and his junta were not ready to seek peaceful solutions to the crisis they are faced with. It was only a few days ago that we heard Mugabe telling us he is ‘ a God elect ‘ . He has already made it clear that he will not leave power to MDC whatever the results of the election. Mugabe has already declared war on MDC and its supporters; and hence it is utterly useless to proceed with the election and put the lives of MDC activists , supporters and the general public at risk. So why should Tsvangirai proceed with the election where he will not be declared winner despite the fact that he could win it? If he proceeded with his campaign and took part in the election, I suspect it would have been very costly in terms of human lives as Mugabe, his cronies and the thugs around them are determined to exploit their utmost capacity to stop MDC from coming to power. How could Tsvangirai proceed with the election where the police, the army and other state machinery are fully and openly behind Mugabe? Henceforth, Tsvangirai’s decisions were a well thought ones and he should have our respect for minimizing the risks his fellow compatriots could face.
As some one who has come from a country where dictatorship is the rule of the day, I just feel how long we Africans should wait before organizing ourselves to liberate ourselves from the tyranny regimes in every part of the continent that came to power in the name of liberation and have fallen in love with it for decades. None of these old liberators are willing to hold Democratic elections and surrender power if defeated. What a shame to see such dictators in existence in the 21st century politics?
Withdraw , it is what a feeling of right dooing is and what a men needs .. read the reason .. because today Mugabe again – the men – “the power of the savior” -to free men of the slander” … But please ask a question : .. what is best power for today ..Todays power is more and more like – world energy, it isnt like word who lead people as leaders who came – saw – and – overcome a people no.. – and no one goes in the up direction of the / one highest moral leader . Leaders must admitted they need to – be – united co and to solve chronical misunderstandings about peace and justisch
Praise a (old) Culture history – it never saves world moral it only steal lifes, given idols Gods as the power for justisch – _dumped out the reason with deadly vision
No tyranny is defeated by appeasement. How many people died of Mugabe tyranny since MT contest in 2000. What is your guess the death toll would have been if there was a mass demonstration to unseat him. Remember what happened in Kenya, and read history world wide and tell me where a dictator is expelled without people power.
I respect Mr. MT for the courage he set up an effective opposition force in hellish environment, but this time he was given a wrong advice. He would have called for mass demonstration. Based on historical facts it was the key to success. I hope not only MT but his supporters will survive at the end. We Africans produce freedom fighters that turn into dictators. We were proud of Mugabe during liberation struggle, so of Meles of Ethiopia and Musevini of Uganda. I hope a day will come with peoples will, a leader is unseated with the power of vote, and not by the barrel of the gun. May be Mugabe will realize his mistake and save his name at the last minute, resigning with dignity and saving the great Nation of Zimbabwe. I hope Zimbabwe will not be another Somalia, my bleeding country.
is there an alternative man than tsvangarai?
he is a tool for british and for bush.
can we get another one or two or three from inside zimbabwe than this tool.
let london and washington shout as well as they could but not MORGAN the tool.