Mugabe, Tsvangirai urge end to political violence
HARARE, Zimbabwe 12, Nov, CNN
Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe and Prime Minister Morgan
Tsvangirai asked their respective parties to shun violence on Friday, a
rare expression of unity between the political rivals. It came after
disturbances Sunday between Mugabe’s Zanu PF party and Tsvangirai’s
Movement for Democratic Change in Chitungwiza near the capital of
Harare. About 30 MDC supporters were injured after suspected Zanu PF
militia had disrupted a rally where Tsvangirai was scheduled to speak.
The two men have different takes on who might be to blame for the
violence. Tsvangirai accused the police chief, Augustine Chihuri, an
ally of Mugabe, of asking police to protect only Zanu PF supporters.
Mugabe defended police, saying MDC had barred officers from attending
its events. But both want citizens to embrace peace. “I am happy the
president is with us,” Tsvangirai said. “I have brought before him the
issues of violence. I have brought before him the blood unnecessarily
shed in our communities simply because of one is Zanu PF and the other
is MDC,” he said. “I told him about the Chitungwiza violence. ... The
police watched and to date there is no single arrest.” Speaking to the
leadership of Zanu PF and MDC, Mugabe said, “Let us walk the talk of
peace.
This is our sincere plea from our hearts.” He added, “People must
hold their meetings freely. Don’t stand in the way of those who are
holding a meeting.” But the 87-year-old president, who has ruled
Zimbabwe since its independence in 1980, said the level of violence in
his country was worrying. He said he has been discussing the issue with
Tsvangirai at their weekly meetings. The men, now partners in a fragile
coalition government, said they want Zimbabwe’s next elections to be
peaceful. In 2008, political violence ahead of the presidential run-off
resulted in Tsvangirai pulling out, citing violent attacks and
intimidation by the militia of Mugabe’s faction. Mugabe won the election
but regional leaders did not recognize the polls and called for a
coalition government. Since then, violence has decreased. But talk of
upcoming elections has resulted in renewed clashes.
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