Zimbabwe: MDC unity pact crumbles

  1. Posted on Wednesday 6 February 2008 - 11:06
    AfricaNews editor
    Munyaradzi Mugadza, AfricaNews reporter in Harare, Zimbabwe
    The much awaited and celebrated united front of the two Movement for Democratic Change factions that was sealed last Sunday crumbled in the eleventh hour again presenting President Robert Mugabe with chances to win the March 29 election.
    zimbabwe2
    Arthur Mutambara leader of one MDC faction told the media contingency that the whole deal had been reversed following an impasse over nomination seats.

    "From haggling over two seats last night, this morning our colleagues came back to us demanding 20 more seats in Matabeleland even where we have sitting MPs," he said.

    "This means from this place we're going out in the country to work out our nominations for the presidency, 210 members of parliament, senators and councilors. Morgan Tsvangirai is not our candidate for the presidency of this country

    "People of Zimbabwe, we apologise for failing to construct a united front," Mutambara the gathering saying their effort to give Mugabe a tough challenge was curtailed by differences which continue to precipitate in the opposition camp.
    "The idea of uniting was very noble but if you continue to [be rocked by differences then no option-n” said Mutambara

    Mutambara also revealed that he would contest in the next month’s harmonized polls despite the failures to make the necessary preparations to oust Mugabe and his Zanu-PF party.

    He said “As opposition, we should aim to shoot the dictator and his Zanu-PF party which have been on the helm of the national crisis”

    "We are aware that the political conditions are in favour of President Mugabe who have been making frantic efforts for history to repeat itself.”

    Mugabe has been distributing subsidized agricultural inputs and free Inputs to the rural areas, one of his strongest supports. It is however beyond doubt that President is smiling all the way, as this turmoil will hand him the much needed victory.

    The opposition chances of exonerating the suffering citizens looked bleak and they should have laid the foundation some way if they were to fight president Mugabe tooth and nail.

    Keywords: zimbabwe_elections

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