A new report by the International Crisis Group accuses hardliners in President Robert Mugabe's ruling ZANU-PF party of trying to retain power by force. It warns that the ongoing violence could lead to a military coup or martial law unless African and other international leaders help negotiate a government of national unity led by Morgan Tsvangirai.
The International Crisis Group (ICG) report says besides winning a parliamentary majority in the March 29 election, Morgan Tsvangirai's Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) also probably won more than 50 percent of the presidential vote. Official results showed Tsvangirai outpolled Mugabe in the presidential election but fell short of the absolute majority needed for outright victory.
Francois Grignon of the ICG says there is evidence that the five-week delay in announcing the presidential poll result was meant to give Zanu-PF time to manipulate the outcome and work on a strategy to fight back. "We are saying that Morgan Tsvangirai should be in charge of the executive and Robert Mugabe's exit should be part of the deal because even the results we that have now give a clear advantage to Morgan Tsvangirai." said Grignon. |