The MDC have reunited
We needed this news so badly!
The two factions of Zimbabwe’s opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) have decided to unite to form one party. MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai made the announcement at a media briefing at Lanseria airport, outside Johannesburg, this afternoon.
He says the move will give the MDC a 57% majority in parliament. He says President Robert Mugabe must accept that he cannot rule without parliamentary control.
Tsvangirai says joining forces with Arthur Mutambara’s faction will strengthen their relationship. Tsvangirai added that they will form a government of national unity and this may include former Zanu-PF candidates and independent candidate Simba Makoni. (via SABC)
Yay!
In addition to this, I got a string of text messages trying to tell me what was being said. This comes from sms messages so apologies for the bullet-form info:
Morgan Tsvangirai and Arthur Mutambara were both there:
- the two of them were speaking out against violence,
- they issued a request to stop violence,
- they relayed the message to Mugabe that these are crimes against humanity,
- both factions agreed to work together,
- regarding the election ‘count fight’ between ZEC and Zanu PF… MT will raise disputes if the results don’t tally with theirs,
- both AM and MT are working for peaceful transfer of power and both putting national interest sahead of personal interests,
- they are not planning fight violence with violence – hence request to stop violence etc,
- AM said they will work together against Bob and said he was clearly behind MT,
- MT apparently thanked the people of SA for their solidarity and efforts to stop the arms boat,
- MT said there will be no run-off. People have spoken,
- He said he is busy with diplomacy and heading off to Tanzania to speak to head of AU.
- He affirms that Robert Mugabe has lost.
Apparently there wasn’t a prepared statement – all off the cuff. So I hope more will come out via the press but I am so excited by the clear show of unity that I thought I’d share it immediately.
April 28th, 2008 18:12
This is such great news! Time for a little dance and a whoopee!
April 28th, 2008 18:12
Thank you. There is nothing yet on World Service.
April 28th, 2008 18:30
What will happen to Makoni then since MDC AT was backing Makoni. They need to just include him in the event of a re run
April 28th, 2008 18:30
That’s great news!!
April 28th, 2008 18:56
Is this the beginning of n outbreak of Governments of National Unity all over the continent?
I do not know about you guys but the thought is giving me the chills…
April 28th, 2008 19:03
Yeah, absolutely great news. United to go on and on ….!!!!!!!!!
April 28th, 2008 19:08
OPPOSITION UNITES….have oil and water finally become a single substance???
Come back Simba Makoni project…all is forgiven….hmmm maybe ZUM and PF Zapu can come along tooo.even Langton…
Poor Zimbabwe…same rhetoric every few months ..still no liberation.
(Maybe Santa and the tooth fairy can come to the unity government too…oh the neo-liberals in charge will be happy)
April 28th, 2008 19:11
Best News since April 29th. Let us all continue to pray that there is no re-run, Zimbabweans need peace and a well deserved rest. We Thank You Lord for this outcome, for it is through you that this happened.
April 28th, 2008 19:19
It is brilliant news. I just wish that they had done this before elections so we would not have lost some of those seats as a result of their egos. Can you imagine if we have REALLY shown Zanu PF how much the people did not want them. I feel like this stupid fight they were having has cost the people something.I hope that it is over now.
April 28th, 2008 19:35
@ anon
Oil & water will never mix. If only ZANU PF was a political party not a murderous movement, then MDC could unite with it also.
April 28th, 2008 19:52
What we really need to know now is what the powers of parlaiment are in contrast to the powers of the president; any constitutional lawyers versed in the current Zim constitution out there who can advise us? Most important to show that power now resides in parlaimentary majority ie MDC.
April 28th, 2008 20:43
I think we, at some time, need to face the truth that ZANU-PF is a thing of the past in Zim history.
The perseverance of MDC is commendable in view of the scale of intimidation, violence and torture that their followers are facing.
Let there be no doubt that MDC is the way forward for Zimbabwe. They have a tough job ahead sorting out the mess that Mugabe has created. God bless them in their plight.
April 28th, 2008 20:52
I think that announcing unity after the final parlaimentary results, not before, is a good strategic move. This is great news.
April 28th, 2008 22:25
Hope please check email, urgent message.
April 28th, 2008 22:28
Clear, simple messages. These are positive, inspiring, and do not leave any room for doubt.
April 29th, 2008 01:59
A lovely statement on Zimbabweans:
LONDON, APRIL 28, 2008 (Zenit.org).- The people of Zimbabwe have responded to “intense suffering” with “a dignified and quiet heroism” …
“In February, I visited Zimbabwe with Cardinal Murphy O’Connor and what we saw there filled me with anguish and hope,” Bishop Hollis said. “The anguish was because of the desperate poverty of a people being systematically robbed and brutalized by their own government, resulting in that country, so rich in natural and human resources, being reduced to destitution….
“The hope that we experienced came from the extraordinary witness and courage of those we met. In the face of intense suffering, Zimbabweans have responded with a dignified and quiet heroism. Time and again, they have demonstrated their commitment to justice and democracy and, most recently, in the elections of March 29th.”
http://www.zenit.org/article-22439?l=english
April 29th, 2008 09:07
MDC representative was interviewed on BBC R4 0800 GMT today saying that the MDC is not looking for retribution against RGM but simply wants to re-build ZIM. Also stated that they were meeting president of ANC later today.
April 29th, 2008 14:19
The best news so far about the 2 MDC factions. Political maturity is being displayed here. Zimbabwe still needs Dr S Makoni to join forces with the united mdc never mind he only has a handful supporters but this will further compel Zanu pf big wigs to see reality, mugabe to acknowledge his time is out and those sitting on the fence to jump over to the right side. Bravo !
April 29th, 2008 16:20
Makorokoto amhlope KWASARA Makoni talk 2 e guy he rily seems 2 be understanding,give it a try.
April 29th, 2008 16:28
It’s interesting to read the varied opinions of Zimbabweans especially with regards to Arthur Mutambara. May I take this opportunity to remind those that accuse Mutambara of being Zanu PF that most of us were Zanu PF a long time ago when the party had morals. Even Tsvangirayi himself was Zanu PF when he was leading the ZCTU. Zanu PF was once a good party then. But it has since become the worst political party in the whole of Africa. This is the reason why the majority of right thinking Zimbabweans opted for the opposition. Glad to say efforts by Tsvangirayi, Mutambara, and Makoni have produced a historical outcome for democracy in Zimbabwe. Though they have played different roles the ultimate result has ensured Zanu PF will never play a significant part in the political arena of Zimbabwe again. In my mind, if somebody was sane enough not to support Mugabe then that person is sane enough to do business with. So, where do we go from here, Zimbabwe? If I had a say in what will happen after the pending departure of Mugabe, I would love for the three guys to work together and try and restore Zimbabwe to its former glory. Tsvangirayi won the vote so he can lead the nation. Between Mutambara and Makoni we could have a prime minister and finance minister. Imagine what such a team could achieve. The most important fact to note is that the nation must come first before any personal egos. Let’s forget what happened in the past and concentrate on the present. And the present involves burying Zanu PF and rebuilding our country Zimbabwe. And while we are still there, I would love to see all the service chiefs including the police commissioner relieved of their duties in favour of individuals who know that the forces belong to the state and not to the president. And by state I mean the nation. When soldiers salute a state leader they are in fact saluting the people represented by the leader. It amazes me to discover that such a basic fact has been lost to some misguided individuals currently in charge of our forces. We can’t afford to have such minds leading the forces because they will only abuse their authority and end up treating the forces like private armies. In conclusion I would like us as the people of Zimbabwe to realise and accept that Tsvangirayi is better off working together with Mutambara and Makoni. And we as the people who voted must rally our support behind the new leadership and ensure the Zanu PF legacy is buried once and for all. Let’s show Mugabe and his goons that there can be a Zimbabwe without him. A successful one for that matter. Come on Zimbabwe, WE CAN DO IT!!!
April 29th, 2008 18:18
@ Jassy
I don’t agree at all with your view that ZANU PF was once ok. When is that? If it was a good party then Hebert Chitepo,Josiah Tongogara could have been with us before and after independence. The word Gukurahundi would be non existent!!! Cain Nkala, Gunda,Mahachi, would be alive.We could be using money.. This shows ZANU PF was NEVER ok whether is pre-independence, or post independence.. ITS ONLY THAT YOU NEVER REALISED IT UNTIL IT AFFECTED THE ECONOMY…
April 29th, 2008 19:45
57% may be short of the two thirds majority needed to change the Constitution, but is enough for a new broom to sweep aside the illiberal democracy of the past. They can pass any number of laws. They could freeze the illicit assets of Mugabe and his co-conspiritors, they could organize economic aid so that it reached the communities in desperate need, they could make sure the the judiciary was truly independent of state control, they could establish a free press…
the list goes on. Zanu PF would wither away as its redundancy became apparent to anyone with an ounce of patriotism left in their veins.
April 29th, 2008 20:18
This most important thing they do is to approve the budget and supervise senior civil servants and service chiefs.
It will be slow at first but MDC say they already have humanitarian aid lined up. So there might be help for people who are living right at the edge.
The rest of us will carry on as usual but put our minds to our businesses instead of politics. The MDC leaders will not have personal sanctions against them. They can seek balance of payments support (credit in plain language). And hopefully negotiate with people we owe money to. Also hopefully they will make the debts and deals public. It will be the most important thing that they do. Transparent international transactions. Insistence that top people be clean and accountable.
I have been watching the Zim dollar too. Before election it was a 10m to the pound. When people thought MDC had won, it recovered to 6m to the pound. Then it started to drop. it was 30m yesterday and 35m today. That drop must be another world record! Pity we can’t enter it in the Olympic Games!
A government needs confidence of the people to govern and the state of the Zim dollar is a barometer of that confidence (as the only people who buy it are Zimbabweans!)
ZPF will fight on. What we must show them is that there is better Zimbabwe that they can take part in.
We just need to keep it simple. We will be onto any unfair behavior and expose it. We will applaud and recognize any behavior that is for the good of Zimbabwe
April 29th, 2008 23:45
The Citizen, SA
29/04/2008 07:39:50
CEDRIC MBOYISA
The Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) has provided The Citizen with
statistical evidence to back up its claim of being the outright winner in
the Zimbabwean presidential election.
The data indicate that a run-off election will not be necessary, as MDC
leader Morgan Tsvangirai obtained the prerequisite margin to be declared a
“hands-down†victor.
The results put Tsvangirai in pole position with 51.7%, while President
Robert Mugabe lags behind with 43.3%.
Here is the MDC versus Zanu-PF presidential race vote allocation breakdown
in the country’s 10 “provincesâ€:
* Tsvangirai (49 660) vs Mugabe (11 146) in Bulawayo.
* Tsvangirai (227 387) vs Mugabe (60 523) in Harare.
* Tsvangirai (212 553) vs Mugabe (131 856) in Manicaland.
* Tsvangirai (78 650) vs Mugabe (150 889) in Mashonaland Central.
* Tsvangirai (130 753) vs Mugabe (156 746) in Mashonaland East.
* Tsvangirai (126 832) vs Mugabe (134 329) in Mashonaland West.
* Tsvangirai (164 345) vs Mugabe (152 327) in Masvingo.
* Tsvangirai (68 656) vs Mugabe (39 143) in Matebeleland North.
* Tsvangirai (34 437) vs Mugabe (44 995) in Matebeleland South.
* Tsvangirai (155 122) vs Mugabe (162 338) in Midlands.
In total Tsvangirai and Mugabe amassed 1 248 395 and 1 044 292 votes
respectively.
The total number of votes, including those of other candidates, is said to
be 2 413 830.
“The Harare and Bulawayo figures were taken from the agreed and declared ZEC
(Zimbabwe Electoral Commission) figures. The agents have already signed for
the two sets of the results,†the MDC revealed.
The party added: “All other figures were secured from our polling agents
from different stations across the country.â€
April 30th, 2008 11:48
Scotchcart
“We just need to keep it simple. We will be onto any unfair behavior and expose it. We will applaud and recognize any behavior that is for the good of Zimbabwe”
Who is this “We” you keep talking about, who do you actually represent ????
April 30th, 2008 13:06
I represent myself – who do you represent!
April 30th, 2008 13:11
Um, you know, democracy, freedom of speech..
Nice to annoy people like you, anyway. Come back anytime.
Thought this might be of interest (to literate people) – apologies if already up:
Story in the Telegraph UK: Barclays Bank accused of aiding Robert Mugabe regime
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/africaandindianocean/zimbabwe/1912146/Barclays-Bank-accused-of-aiding-Robert-Mugabe-regime.html
April 30th, 2008 13:22
Troll alert: Mushandikwa is a regular commentator on the blog (albeit under a variety of black pseudonyms) and sets out to ridicule, mock and be divisive. Less of a ‘Mushandikwa’ and more of a ‘Jones’ – better still ‘Smith’, if you see what I mean. Best to ignore him.
Hope
April 30th, 2008 13:50
van der Merwushandikwa..
April 30th, 2008 14:41
You people are so busy playing your little posting games, there is “Scotchcart” who thinks he is in charge of something (We will ..etc..)the self appointed spokesperson, and others who beleive that mugabe and his gang actually read or care about about their comments on this subject.
Mushandikwa, Jones, Smith, Ndlovu it does not matter, what matters is whether the zimbabwean people actually have sufficient moral fibre to instal a real democracy or whether is is just another sorry chapter in the ongoing demise of zimbabwe.
Sure you can call me a troll, divisive etc I really do not care, what matters is whether you keyboard warriors actually do something in the real world or wether you are just empty vessels making noise.
None of you know what race I am but you are very quick to jump to conclusions and as such the issue of this sites racial impartiality is questionable.
Hamba gahle
April 30th, 2008 15:31
‘Mushandikwa’ … you started commenting on this blog in Feb 2007 and I can see all that you’ve said previously, under all your identities, including white-racist remarks that haven’t been published. The fact that you still get a voice here, despite the offensiveness of us knowing what your true agenda is, says a lot about our belief in free speech within the boundaries of our values. You are currently testing the moderation principle where we ask people to “engage in discussions with respect for everyone”. Please give it some thought.
April 30th, 2008 16:20
I think that the people on this site have been doing an amazing job. If they hadn’t been, those arms would have been in Zim long ago and we would no longer be talking about elections.
CC … Please don’t put us with Mushandikwa – we vans aren’t all that bad! … we do do some silly things such as using other people’s names on blogs though!
jassy – I’m sorry. I have to agree with 4th Chimurenga. I saw those truckloads of people murdered or never to be seen again, simply because they were opposition. Zanu PF was never an upright party. There may have been some good people in it, but their policies, from the beginning, speak for themselves.
April 30th, 2008 21:09
Well guys, I guess you are right. Could be that Zanu PF has always been an evil institution, but with a few good guys too few to influence and bring sanity to the grouping.
Nevertheless, the main issue of my message was that we must not dwell on what was but rather start working on the future of our country right away. The fact that the majority of the people share a common hatred for Mugabe and Zanu PF should unite and inspire us to work harder and rebuild this beautiful country. I hope the two MDCs realise that more can be achieved from truly uniting and putting an end to the suffering inflicted upon the people by Zanu PF. Hopefully the new government will rejoin the commonwealth because many people have suffered due to Mugabe’s morbid decision to leave the club. I guess it was so he could do all the evil his heart desireth without fear of being discovered. I hope Tsvangirai also realises that people cannot be taken for granted.
April 30th, 2008 22:05
Me too Jassy. There is going to be heaps to do and we need a positive road map.
Some people may want/need to go a justice route. So be it. That’s for lawyers etc.
Personally, I want to be on the rebuilding side. I want to see schools, hospitals, businesses. I want to see people ‘making plans’ they can actually do something about.
And the truth is I don’t hate ZanuPF. I sort of see where they are coming from.
I feel very sorry for people who got swept up in this and got violent. How will they live with themselves? What do they think? What do they tell their children? Where do they run and hide? They will live in torment. And that I am afraid is for priests and n’anga. These poor people will need to make their peace with their consciences and with people they hurt. I hope they find a way otherwise they will be miserable for ever – more than their victims.
For people who have died, I will help rebuild Zimbabwe in their memory. When I am tired, I will do 5 minutes more work so their death was not in vain. I am not theorizing here guys – this is personal for me.
For people, whose education and life was disrupted, I will delay what I am doing for a few minutes to think – could I do something different to help them get going again?
I know some people will think I am hopelessly romantic – but so be it. I can’t waste my life in hate. The world is a big place and we need every Zimbabwean working for Zimbabwe. We need to trust each other enough to sit down and have our quarrels peacefully in a ‘dare’, come to an agreement, move on, and reconvene later to reassess. Otherwise we will be eaten up by these big powers.
We are a talented people – a little too laid back maybe – but that is also what people like about us. So let’s go for it!
Tomorrow is the big day. Magic arithmetic! Let’s see.
Keep safe guys. Your first job is to keep safe. Then to smile. When we smile, we get creative!
May 1st, 2008 13:39
SCOTCHCART (CHIKOCHIKARI!)
Mwana wekumusha you wrote like you were reading my mind. Indeed the ZanuPF gang are in a quagmire. There is nowhere to run. Each tries to imagine what is gonna happen to them when MDC is in control. To an extend I do feel sorry for them. But the fact of the matter is there is no excuse for the atrocities they committed. Of course they always thought ZanuPF would always be there to provide them with a sanctuary but now reality is sinking in. In their hearts they know they are not included in the future plans of Zimbabwe.
But they have got only themselves to blame because we gave them almost thirty years to prove themselves and boy did they show us how they could harass, oppress, suppress, and undress us. ZanuPF has killed so many innocent people that chances of these guys ever sleeping peacefully at night are slightly less than zero. Added to that is the likelihood that their remaining days on earth will be spent travelling between the High Court and Chikurubi Maximum Prison. All those who were beaten, tortured, maimed, killed, raped, or imprisoned deserve to be avenged. There is nowhere to run and Mugabe, Mnangagwa, and company better know that judgement cometh and it cometh early. Just imagining the reality of a Zimbabwe without this mafia gives me an ear-to-ear smile. I have waited all my life for this moment. I was beginning to think Mugabe was gonna outlive me the way he outlived many of my friends and relatives, but not this time. I have shed so many tears because of this guy that I was starting to question the existence of God. Well, in the end prayers of the suffering but voiceless get answered. And this ultimately brings us to the issue you mention of rebuilding Zimbabwe. This part of the struggle will take more than words. True committement is required because it’s not gonna be easy. A lot will be required of the people currently in the diaspora because they have been exposed to morden economic ideas. Some have been furthering their education and training in preparation for this period. Most of the Zimbabweans I’ve been priviledged to meet while studying here in the UK have shown me great desire to return home and rebuild their motherland. As you rightly say, Zimbabweans, though slightly laid back, are a talented bunch. I have been here in the UK since 2000 and got to meet people from other African countries and I never stopped marvelling at the way we Zimbabweans are streets ahead. It is this fact that gives me hope that if we come together and put our minds to it, rebuilding this country is gonna take less time than predicted. With people like you, and me, and all these positive thinking vana vevhu on this fora, nothing is impossible. My prayer is when the moment comes please let’s not forget those who have been disadvantaged by the regime. Some have lost their parents, relatives, and children. Some are now disabled and will not be able to fend for themselves again. Some have been displaced and have nowhere to live. Some children will need foster parents who will in turn need financial and moral support to bring up these kids. All this is gonna test the moral, humane, and financial capacity of the new set-up and this my friend will be the first test for Tsvangirai. Less talk and more action is required. The cabinet must be kept small but effective. No use having 30 mercedes benzes following each other to open a clinic in Chitungwiza when families have no water in Matebeleland. By the way I’m Chitungwiza born and bred. I have been away for so long that the day Tsvangirai becomes president, I’m out of here. How I miss “Garisanai 4-4 vabereki” “One ari ega Makoni nepakati” “PamaHumps blazo” “PamaCorner shops conductor” There is no place like home. I love Zimbabwe!
May 1st, 2008 15:13
Something is definitely wrong in African politics. This issue of reconciliation comes each time people want a revolution. This used to work in ancient politics but now the effects are only short term… If Mugabe is let go off his crimes against humanity, what will stop Tsvangirai from committing similar offences and get away through reconciliation?? But if Mugabe is set as an example never to undermine the will and life of Zimbabaweans then every leader after him will never attempt to kill…
May 1st, 2008 15:32
Tsvangirai should just quit politics,he is pathetic.Im a university student and i cannot imagine him capping me in the year 2011.At least he is the second offering after Mugabe.I cannot wait for his press conference at 4pm today.
May 1st, 2008 15:36
Is the development that MDC has united still unknown to state media. I am learning from Herald that it is still referring to factions of the MDC until now? I guess they were working on a divide and rule strategy so its difficult for them to swallow the good news (bad news to them). Who knows anyone working for Herald,Chronicle,ZBC? Are those people normal? Are the journalists employed on merit?
May 1st, 2008 17:14
@ NOXOLO
I feel sorry for you because you wish university life to be worse. You should know that if you want to be capped by Mugabe then..
1… No more grants
2….No more lecturers therefore your degree lacks value
3…Continous strikes by staff
4..Continous students riots
5…No subsidised food on campus
6….Deteriorated standards of degrees due to poor research (especially on technical degrees)
7.Where will you work with your degree?