A BELFAST branch of Zimbabwe’s Movement for Democratic Change has been formed to back leader Morgan Tsvangirai’s bid to topple President Mugabe in next month’s run-off election.
The group was formed after the MDC leader visited Belfast on Friday to announce he was returning to Zimbabwe for the first time since the March 29th first round poll, which the party claims it won outright. The group met in Belfast last night amid reports that Mr Tsvangirai’s return to Harare had been held up because of assassination threats.
The Irish Times understands the MDC leader is staying in Johannesburg pending an assessment of the death threats. “Mr Tsvangirai will not be going to Zimbabwe today. We are still assessing the security situation,” his spokesman George Sibotshiwe said yesterday. The Mugabe regime, meanwhile, said all security threats should be reported to the authorities and it poured cold water on the rumours of any assassination threat. David Ford, leader of the Alliance Party in Northern Ireland, who hosted the MDC leader last week, condemned the threats.
“These threats are totally abhorrent and they are a despicable attack on democracy. Zimbabwe deserves a fair election and Morgan Tsvangirai deserves to be able to return to his country in safety,” he said.
“The Alliance Party hosted the Liberal International Congress which Morgan Tsvangirai attended. It was a tremendous honour that such a shining example of hope and freedom came to Belfast to be alongside us. We in Northern Ireland have witnessed years of violence that has scarred our country, so let us hope that Zimbabwe can be pulled back from the brink, and Morgan Tsvangirai is the only man that can do that.
“I sincerely hope that Mr Tsvangirai is able to return to Zimbabwe and is able to begin campaigning in the presidential run-off election as soon as possible. The overwhelming majority of people in Zimbabwe want Morgan Tsvangirai as their president, and for the good of their country let us hope that he gains this post swiftly.”
Mr Ford said the MDC leader had flown directly to join the Belfast congress, at which he offered an “honourable exit” for Mr Mugabe should the Zimbabwean electorate repeat its March 29th election win. “He was greatly encouraged by his reception in Belfast, “ he said last night. “He left here with the stated intention to get back to Harare to begin campaigning as soon as possible . . .” (Additional reporting by Reuters)