JOHANNESBURG – Zimbabwean opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai yesterday demanded the unconditional release of detained party activists before a power-sharing deal with President Robert Mugabe could be implemented.
Mr Tsvangirai told a news conference in South Africa that he was committed to the power-sharing agreement signed by Zimbabwe’s rival political parties in September but said he lacked a credible partner.
Mr Tsvangirai said he would this week meet Mr Mugabe and South African president Kgalema Motlanthe, current chairman of the South African Development Community (SADC) regional group, to discuss the power-sharing deal.
While Botswana and Zambia have criticised Mr Mugabe, other SADC states have failed to force implementation of powersharing despite repeated calls for help from Mr Tsvangirai.
“I still believe that a political agreement offers the best means of preventing Zimbabwe from becoming a failed state. I am committed to forming a new inclusive government in Zimbabwe and all I lack is a willing partner,” Mr Tsvangirai said. He will return to Zimbabwe tomorrow for the first time since last November.
The Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) leader said there had been breaches of the agreement by Mr Mugabe’s government, including the abduction and detention of opposition activists.
“These must stop immediately and those abducted and illegally detained must be released unconditionally if this agreement is to be consummated,” he said.
International aid agency Oxfam said some Zimbabweans had gone for days without meals and that the cholera situation was dire.
“In cholera treatment centres, patients weren’t receiving any regular food either from health officials or their families, slowing their ability to recover quickly, said Peter Mutoredzanwa, Oxfam’s director in Zimbabwe.
Human Rights Watch said at least 43 opposition MDC members had been unlawfully detained since October. – (Reuters)