via Join Mujuru or no cash, donors tell ex-PM – New Zimbabwe 04/05/2015
OPPOSITION MDC-T leader Morgan Tsvangirai is reportedly grappling with a quandary after donors made clear he either joins up with former vice president Joice Mujuru or risk losing financial support.
Western donors are reportedly frustrated with Tsvangirai’s remarkable success in failing to dislodge President Robert Mugabe, now 91 years old, since the formation of the MDC in 1999.
The former prime minister had already been hit with financial sanctions by traditional donors after he came a cropper again in the 2013 vote.
Following the MDC-T’s shellacking by Zanu PF in those elections which the opposition leader insists were rigged by Mugabe and his party, donors reportedly turned to the Tendai Biti-led MDC Renewal initiative.
But sources said Monday that the donor community had taken a shine to the Mujuru option and want Tsvangirai to throw his lot in with the former vice president, possibly as her deputy.
Either that or Tsvangirai can kiss goodbye to their financial support.
“Exploratory talks are ongoing on but it seems Tsvangirai is in a quandary. He has indicated that he would not want to deputize anyone,” said a source familiar with the development.
“In addition, there is the problem of his lieutenants who would be concerned about losing their leadership positions should Tsvangirai join the Mujuru group.”
Mujuru was fired from government and then expelled from Zanu PF for allegedly plotting a coup against Mugabe.
Top allies expelled with her from Zanu PF say she is establishing a rival party to challenge Mugabe at the next elections.
Donors are said to take the view that although the former premier boasts mass appeal that rivals Mugabe, Mujuru brings to the electoral contest what “Tsvangirai and the MDC do not have” and that is impeccable liberation credentials.
Again, if Mugabe has been cheating his way to electoral “victory” then there is probably none better to beat him than Mujuru and her group since they would likely have some idea how the fraud was carried out.
MDC-T spokesperson, Obert Gutu, said he was not aware of any approach for his boss to join up with Mujuru.
He however, said donors would not drive their agenda.
“The MDC is an independent social democratic and Pan-Africanist political party whose agenda is not donor driven,” said Gutu.
“As a political party, we are ready and willing to cooperate with any like-minded political parties.
“However, we will not be swayed and/hoodwinked by any people whose agenda is not focused on bringing about meaningful and sustainable democratic change to the Zimbabwean political architecture.
“We are not position-oriented; we are principle and ideas-oriented.”
Tsvangirai is already working with Mavambo/Kusile/Dawn party, the NCA party and ZAPU in a coalition which they believe will dislodge Mugabe and Zanu PF at the next elections which are scheduled for 2018.
COMMENTS
The problem with African politicians is they put themselves first and not the country. If it were for the country first then these politicians would know what is best for the country. Zimbabwe will go nowhere!!!
The so-called donor demands only make sense if someone largely focuses on Mugabe as the major – major – major problem in Zim. Otherwise, if one takes the view that the problem might be much deeper than one particular individual then the logic wont wash.
With Mujuru having people like Didymus, Temba, Jabulani, just to name a few as key allies, I wouldn’t be surprised if Zimm will simply be jumping from the same fire into a separate portion of the same fire.
But there is no harm in trying. Especially that the guys certainly dont have the same clout as that of Mugabe-Ngwena combination. And more so, they wont have the unfretted time to temper with state institutions which the current cabal had while masses were busy basking in their ‘independence’ euphoria. Vanhu takazopepuka ndokuwana nyika yainda kwaZvimba naGushungo – neparty zvose zvanga zvainda. Vana Didymus vakatozvivona nezuro chaiye kuti party yakavakigwa musha kwaZvimba kare – yava yaamai nababa haisisiri yeruzhinji. kkkkkk
If America can have Bush jnr as president for 10 years, few people will fail at being Zim president.
We in Australia have had five Prime Ministers in 5 years ! No blood-shed, no threats or collusion. Real democracy at work…..or just the European’s way of doing things better ?
The international community is busy negotiating with Mugabe. Why are they concerned? They are hypocrites. MDCT has indicated before the Zanu PF congress that they were prepared to work with Dr Mujuru. Dr Mujuru is a genuine Doctor a very civilised woman. Her manifesto speaks volumes. Its downing to the West that they are pining their hopes on a dying horse. The opposition will do without double dealers. When the economy grew by 10-12% between 2010-12 who made that happen. Dr Tswangirai made that to happen. Dr Tswangirai understands practical economics, read JUICE and his speeches with investors outside the country. When the opposition takes over in 2018 . The economy will grow by more than 12% in 2019 without the assistance of the IMF. Ask the IMF.
it is a shame to morgan tsvangirai how can a man fail to feed his family only wanting to bass on next door morgan tell me do u know what is politics did u realy stundy politics before u joined it was it because of those white pigs’s money that made u to join what i will say rong field tsvangirai today u want to tell us that u will lead mujuru what a nonsense that someone with that credeble history will be under your stupid leadership tsvangirai let me tell u and yo m.d.c keep on bucking like british bull dogs no problem ok