MDC unite for presidential race

By Violet Gonda
16 March 2007

The leaders of the opposition and civic groups, who were brutalised by the police this past week, held a press conference as a united group in Harare on Friday. The pro-democracy groups said they would continue with their defiance campaign to force the Mugabe regime to accept the need for democratic reforms, a new constitution and free and fair elections.

This is the first time since the split in 2005 that the two MDC factions have come together and agreed to forge a united framework. The President of the Mutambara faction of the MDC said unity is most important and he will not contest his rival Morgan Tsvangirai in the next election. Mutambara said, “So we are saying Arthur Mutambara will not contest against Morgan Tsvangirai in an election. Morgan Tsvangirai will not contest against Arthur Mutambara in any election.”

He reiterated that all democratic forces won’t be contesting against each other in any election in Zimbabwe but will choose a single candidate to contest against one single enemy - Robert Mugabe.

When asked who will decide or determine on the single candidate, Mutambara responded by saying: “That is a different discussion and Zimbabweans who spent time in the trenches on Sunday, Zimbabweans who spent time in prison cells, Zimbabweans who are brutalised by Mugabe can solve that simple little mathematical problem.” Mutambara added that they were going to manage their differences and concentrate on the common core business of driving Mugabe out.

He said: “So Mugabe and ZANU PF have any illusion that they are facing a divided opposition – we have news for them. We are united in our fight against Mugabe. That is the essence and the meaning of the past six days of defiance.”

Also present at the press conference on Friday was National Constitutional Assembly chairperson Dr Lovemore Madhuku and Tendai Biti the Secretary General of the Tsvangirai-MDC, who read a speech on behalf of Morgan Tsvangirai who is recuperating at home. Biti is reported to have described the unity of purpose that was displayed by all democratic forces over the past week as a watershed and significant development in the fight against ZANU PF.

Tsvangirai who was assaulted severely in police custody could not attend the press conference as he was only discharged from hospital also on Friday. It is reported he sustained a fractured skull. Five other opposition officials, including Grace Kwinjeh and Sekai Holland, are still in hospital at the Avenues Clinic. Scores of opposition activists, together with the leadership, were arrested on Sunday as they attempted to hold a prayer rally in Highfields, Harare .

Mutambara said all the pro-democracy groups reiterated their resolve to work together and to put their weight under the Save Zimbabwe Campaign. Also speaking to us after the press conference Dr Lovemore Madhuku confirmed that the highlight of the press conference was a united voice from the democratic forces.

Despite the severe injuries they suffered at the hands of the police Madhuku said: “We are prepared to face more brutality. We are prepared to pay the ultimate price. And if more and more of us (participate), as is becoming very evident, Mugabe cannot brutalise thousands and thousands of us.”

Dr Madhuku said the regime must be made to accept the need for a new constitution, otherwise elections are meaningless if they are held under the current conditions. He said: “A new constitution will among other things, provide for an anti-rigging mechanism as the rigging machinery, which Mugabe uses, depends on the current constitution.”

The groups hope to see independent institutions that will run elections and an electoral process that will allow international supervision of polls. These provisions are not provided for under the current laws.

Mutambara said they are taking a common position on the 2008 election. “If that election does not come with a new constitution and new electoral laws – we reject that election lock, stock and barrel.”