- Zimbabwe's Prime Minister and leader of the opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) Morgan Tsvangirai has announced that his party is pulling out of the unity partnership until outstanding political issues have been addressed.
In a press statement today, Mr Tsvangirai said his party has been tolerant enough and cannot stand the frustrations caused by Robert Mugabe's ZANU-PF dirty tricks any more.
"We have done everything in order to make this government work and we have done so purely for one reason, the need to restore hope and dignity to our people; the need to give our people a new start and a new beginning. This overwhelming obligation remains as factual and as fundamental to date," he said.
The MDC's announcement of disengagement was caused mainly by the arrest and detention of the party's treasurer Roy Bennett, who is also a nominee for the post of deputy agriculture portfolio. Mr Bennett, who is facing charges of terrorism, insurgency, sabotage and banditry has since been free on bail.
Of the arrest, Mr Tsvangirai said: "It has brought home the reality that as a Movement, we have an unreliable and unrepentant partner in the transitional government. It has brought home the self-evident fact that Zanu PF sees us as a junior, fickle and unserious Movement," he said.
He said it was now time for the party to assert and take its position as the dominant party in Zimbabwe, while at the same time not discarding the trust and mandate from the people.
"For that reason, this party for now cannot renege on the people’s mandate. However, it is our right to disengage from a dishonest and unreliable partner. In this regard, whilst being government, we shall forthwith disengage from Zanu PF and in particular from Cabinet and the Council of Ministers until such time as confidence and respect is restored amongst us," he stressed.
The Zimbabwean unity government was formed in February this year after talks had swerved through numerous deadends. Mr Mugabe, Mr Tsvangirai and the leader of a small MDC faction, Aurthur Mutambara penned a commitment to share in the unity government and restore both the economic and political shambles of the country.
However, the unity government in Zimbabwe, which had remained suspect in the many eyes of the western powers, had never really settled in its first steps due to lack of commitment and counter accusations, as well as lack of initial financial support for many of its rebuilding programmes.
afrol News - It is called "financial inclusion", and it is a key government policy in Rwanda. The goal is that, by 2020, 90 percent of the population is to have and actively use bank accounts. And in only four years, financial inclusion has doubled in Rwanda.
afrol News - The UN's humanitarian agencies now warn about a devastating famine in Sudan and especially in South Sudan, where the situation is said to be "imploding". Relief officials are appealing to donors to urgently fund life-saving activities in the two countries.
afrol News - Fear is spreading all over West Africa after the health ministry in Guinea confirmed the first Ebola outbreak in this part of Africa. According to official numbers, at least 86 are infected and 59 are dead as a result of this very contagious disease.
afrol News - It is already a crime being homosexual in Ethiopia, but parliament is now making sure the anti-gay laws will be applied in practical life. No pardoning of gays will be allowed in future, but activist fear this only is a signal of further repression being prepared.
afrol News / Africa Renewal - Ethiopia's ambitious plan to build a US$ 4.2 billion dam in the Benishangul-Gumuz region, 40 km from its border with Sudan, is expected to provide 6,000 megawatts of electricity, enough for its population plus some excess it can sell to neighbouring countries.
front page
| news
| countries
| archive
| currencies
| news alerts login
| about afrol News
| contact
| advertise
| español