We want power , Tsvangirai

  1. Posted on Friday 22 August 2008 - 09:30
    Mugadza
    Mugadza Munyaradzi, AfricaNews reporter in Harare, Zimbabwe
    The leader of the opposition Movement for Democratic Change(MDC) Morgan Tsvangirai has vowed that his party is not interested in positions only but real power that will see the country ending the political and economic suffering.
    Morgan Tsvangirai. Photo: Daniel Sibanda
    Tsvangirai who embarked on a regional tour to mobilize support was speaking to reporters in Nairobi, Kenya where he is visiting the newly elected Prime Minister in the power sharing deal, Raila Odinga. Tsvangirai said disagreements concerning the proposed role of the Prime Minister and President had derailed the talks.

    Despite the reluctance by other parties involved in the [power sharing talks, Tsvangirai broke the silence and said the major sticking point was on the roles of the prime minister and the president.

    "We have agreed that under the new arrangement, there must be a prime minister and a president. How to share the authority and responsibility over government is the main stumbling block," said Tsvangirai to journalists gathered at Nairobi's Intercontinental Hotel.

    At the just ended SADC heads of state in South Africa, Tsvangirai said its better not to sign than sign a bad deal that will jeopardize the Zimbabwean people. Tsvangirai also insisted that he will not serve as a junior to President Robert Mugabe who was rejected by the people ion March 29.

    How do you distinguish between the Head of State and Head of Government without necessarily defining anyone as ceremonial? It is not envisaged that the president becomes ceremonial nor the prime minister.

    Tsvangirai said the transitional government should have a life span of two and half years not five years being requested by the Zanu PF.

    Odinga, who has condemned President Mugabe's re-election after the election violence held private talks with Tsvangirai.

    The SADC leaders who met for the heads of state summit in South Africa failed to resolve the Zimbabwean crisis as president Mugabe is reluctant to cede power to opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai.

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