Source: Mugabe Demands Tsvangirai Takes Over Now | REPORT | ZimEye
Shyleen Mtandwa | President Robert Mugabe has demanded that opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai the rightful winner of the 2008 Presidential elections takes over from him, sources close to negotiations have revealed.
Mugabe’s logic and reasoning according to the sources is that he had offered to step down as he was tired and the party had also lost the 2008 elections to Tsvangirai and the MDC party. However, Zanu PF stalwarts who include General Constantine Chiwenga and former Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa orchestrated a plan, “to keep ruling by ginya” with Mugabe remaining at the top. Mugabe is demanding that they all step down together.
It would later be revealed that Tsvangirai had won the election by 78% of the vote. Ten Zanu PF provinces will today pass a vote of no confidence in the veteran leader, the crucial central committee meeting will also reinstate Mnangagwa as VP among many other radical changes meant to seal out any remaining G-40 elements and influence.
At an urgent press conference after the military takeover last week Tsvangirai made the following proposals on the way forward.
After four hours of deliberations, we took the following position;
Noting that the endgame, the destination point to the resolution of the crisis in Zimbabwe is a total return to legitimacy and fully civilian rule through a credible, free and fair election under a truly independent and international supervision,
Acknowledging that national solutions to national problems are best sculptured by the people of Zimbabwe with the solidarity of the international community,
Further acknowledging and saluting the role played by the war veterans in the liberation struggle and recognizing that all we seek as the MDC is to complete the unfinished business of that sacred liberation war waged in our land,
Appreciating the assurances and the commitment to peace and the sanctity of human life by the Zimbabwe Defence Forces, including respect for citizens’ fundamental rights,
Fully conscious of the suffering of the people of Zimbabwe and in particular the concerns of the citizens including traditional leaders, the war veterans, liberation war collaborators, the church, civil servants, people living with disabilities, youth, women groups and the generality of ordinary Zimbabweans,
Aware of the concerns of the international community in particular SADC, the AU, the UN, the EU regarding the deteriorating Zimbabwean situation,
The party leadership restated the party’s values, especially its commitment to democracy and the need for a legitimate government that can immediately begin to transact the business of the nation.
The party leadership resolved and agreed on the urgent need for a roadmap to return to legitimacy that includes the following critical signposts:
1. That in the interest of the people, Mr. Robert Mugabe must resign and step down immediately in line with the national expectation and sentiment, taking full regard of his legacy and contribution to Zimbabwe pre and post-independence.
2. That there be a negotiated, all-inclusive transitional mechanism.
3. That the purpose, essence, nature and character of that mechanism be agreed upon by all national stakeholders,
4.That there be comprehensive reforms for a free, fair and credible election to be held upon the full implementation of all reforms,
5. That there be an agreed post-election framework to guarantee stability, peace and national prosperity,
6.That SADC, the African Union, the UN and the broader international community be the underwriters and guarantors to the roadmap to free and fair elections.
In full recognition of the ideals of our liberation war anchored upon respect for rights, dignity and one-man-one-vote, we respect the right of every citizen to vote freely and fairly in electing a leadership of their choice. For this reason, the party urges all Zimbabweans above the age of 18 to register and participate in the crucial on-going voter registration exercise. This is the only assurance to an irreversible path to national freedom, happiness and economic prosperity.
To our neighbours, you now all know the simple choice you face; either support our rights or our refugees.
COMMENTS
So the new President, Mnangagwa, stole the 2008 election together with Chiwenga. Good luck Zimbabwe you’re going to need it.
MUGABE IS GONE BUT ITS TOO EARLY FOR CELEBRATING
Intelligent people should be anxious about the future of Zimbabwe and nostalgic about the past. The first episode is over. Everyone seems over the moon about the ousting of Dr. Robert Mugabe. In the second episode let me use the analogy of a group of dogs chasing a hare. (I am not saying people are dogs but am using the act of dogs as an example). When dogs chase a hare they do so by combining efforts and strength and tactics. They seem united – united by a common prey – a hare. Once the hare is caught – the first episode is over and then the second episode starts.
In the second episode the dogs start fighting over, who excited the hare from its hiding, which ran the fastest, who caught etc. In the end – the dogs end up in a fierce altercation over who is entitled to the hare. Interestingly, at times the hare fakes death. While the dogs trade blows over the ownership of the hare – the hare wakes up and runs away forever or in the worst scenario a much more powerful predator or scavenger like jackal, hyena, or leopard takes the hare and goes away.
In the end then comes the Zulu expression that says, “obambile akakayosi, oyosile akakayidli, oyidlile udle icala.” This is the expression used by Zulu boys in competition for courting a girl. In the second episode post Mugabe era we need to brace ourselves for competition for power, resources etc. We South Africans have an experience. We were united against Apartheid regime but now we are divided over the sharing of power and resources.
The reality of Zimbabwe’s state-of-affairs is going to demonstrate itself in the next episode. As of now – the MDC has no future in Zimbabwe. The writing is on the wall. And, it will be refreshing to know, what is it that the new president is going to do differently from what Mugabe did? Is he perhaps gonna change the Foreign Policy? Is he gonna sell the Zimbabwean resources for an apple and an onion to please Europe and the West? Is he going to dampen the high moral standard by which Mugabe reined Zimbabwe? What about the high standard of education of Zimbabwe – is he going to introduce OBE like South Africa did and end up with thousand of unemployable graduates? The worst is coming for Zimbabwe. Ousting Mugabe is but a tip of an iceberg. Ironically, Mugabe was a Zimbabwean unifier. Yes they were allied against his flaws and so called plunders.