Since the elections back in March 29, the whole country of Zimbabwe has been plunged into violence, chaos, and turmoil. There was a major humanitarian crisis taking place in Zimbabwe. However, the humanitarian crisis still remains as supporters and Zanu-PF militiamen of Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe continue to systematically hunt down and brutally execute members and supporters of the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) party.
It has already been established that Mugabe refuses to cede power to opposition candidate and MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai. Tsvangirai had won the elections on March 29; but, did not get the majority required to avoid a runoff. However, there is a bit of controversy in the elections as Mugabe’s administration had withheld the results for a number of weeks.
Top US diplomat to Africa, Jendayi Frazer, accused Mugabe of trying to steal the elections. Ever since the March 29 elections, there has been a brutal crackdown on the MDC.
Now, Tsvangirai is contemplating about pulling out of the election. It is not surprising as many within the MDC have been intimidated by the Zanu-PF and the military.
“There is a huge avalanche of calls and pressure from (MDC) supporters across the country, expecially in the rural areas, not to accept to be participants in this charade,” explains MDC spokesman, Nelson Chamisa.
Kenyan PM Raila Odinga said that the runoff election was a sham. He had called forth to Mugabe to leave office.
The runoff election is set for June 27.
In the past month, Tsvangirai had been arrested several times. He was recently denied a passport. Tsvangirai’s second in command, Tendai Biti, faces death on charges of “treason.”
In short, Mugabe will do whatever it takes to stay in power.
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