MDC launches massive election campaign
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| Morgan Tsvangirai | Dictator Mugabe |
The Morgan Tsvangirai-led faction of the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) will this week launch a campaign to demand free and fair elections and better living standards for all, said party spokesperson Nelson Chamisa.
The New Zimbabwe Campaign, to be launched in the capital on Saturday, would focus on rural areas, considered a bastion of support for long time ruler Mr Robert Mugabe’s Zanu-PF party.
"Another contested electoral outcome is not acceptable for the country," said Chamisa.
Parliamentary and presidential polls were scheduled for March, but the opposition had still not said it would definitely participate.
The MDC plans to hold 300 rallies this month alone, particularly in the countryside. Special attention was being paid to the rural areas to spread the message of change in a new Zimbabwe, said Chamisa.
The MDC would press for a united front comprising churches, opposition parties, students and others to help bring about change in the crisis-ridden country, he said.
Zimbabwe was deep in its worst economic crisis since independence in 1980. Inflation was estimated to be more than 24 000%, and there were acute shortages of some foods, medicine, water and electricity.
Vital power imports from South Africa and the Democratic Republic of Congo had been cut, state media reported this week, making the coming days darker still for many Zimbabweans.
The MDC would also launch an international campaign to demand the vote for millions of Zimbabweans driven into economic exile, mainly in former colonial power Britain and neighbouring South Africa.
When Robert Mugabe came to power in 1980 the talk was of peace and co-operation after decades of white colonial rule and a bitter civil war.
Taking the helm of the newly renamed nation of Zimbabwe he was quickly elevated to the ranks of international statesman.
He has, however, always been regarded as something of a political enigma.
Raised and educated as a Roman-Catholic Mr Mugabe became a committed Marxist during the guerrilla war against the Rhodesian Front government of Ian Smith.
Taking power on a wave of popular support his early political promises of reconciliation and democracy were later overtaken by a strong authoritarian streak and a deep distrust of opposition. Zim Diaspora - Sapa-dpa