Mugabe Takes a “Sharp Dig” at Tsvangirai

By Jennifer M. Haralambides
Impunity Watch Reporter, Africa

HARARE, Zimbabwe – Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai and President Robert Mugabe continue to verbally combat one another amidst their efforts to work together.

This past Saturday, Mugabe took a “sharp dig” at Tsvangirai and criticized his decision to boycott the country’s Unity Cabinet.  On October 16, Tsvangirai temporarily withdrew from the Cabinet citing a lack of co-operation and human rights abuses by Mugabe and his party as the reason why.

“Even if some person is not mentally stable he is still your partner . . . . We bound ourselves to work together even though we had disparate positions.  We will continue talking, no matter what,” continued Mugabe.

Mugabe, 85 years-old, has ruled Zimbabwe since its independence from Britain in 1980.  Mugabe said that although he disagrees with his former coalition partner, he remains committed to working with his party, the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC), to reform the power-sharing agreement.

While speaking at the funeral of one of his party’s senate members, Mugabe said the MDC party has “one leg in, and one leg out” of the government.

“The requirement is that we indeed continue step-by-step to move together and whatever are the difficulties, become our difficulties together,” he continued.

Mugabe criticizes any external involvement regarding the disengagement of the MDC party from the cabinet.  He says that it is not for outsiders to resolve.  Mugabe also slammed Western countries for misusing their economic power to impose sanctions on his country.  And he announced that Zimbabwe would consider taking the fight against the sanctions tot he international fora.

Political unrest and violence both hover in the horizon as these two leaders try to re-forge a unity government.  In February of this year, the leaders combined to form a unity government.  This occurred after two violence-plagued elections left the country at a political standstill and in economic ruin.

For more information, please see:

Al Jazeera – Mugabe Criticises MDC Boycott – 31 October 2009

AP – Zimbabwe Pres.: Opposition “Not Mentally Stable” – 31 October 2009

AP – Zimbabwe: Mugabe Takes Sharp Dig at Tsvangirai – 31 October 2009

Xinhua – Zimbabwe’s Political Problems for Zimbabweans to Solve: Mugabe – 31 October 2009

Author: Impunity Watch Archive