Text Only
Search

Opposition Says Zimbabwe Talks at 'Full Stop'

06 November 2008

Zimbabwe's main opposition party says the ruling party has put a "full stop" to power-sharing talks by carrying out a new wave of violence.

In a statement Thursday, the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) accused ZANU-PF thugs of attacking opposition supporters in Harare and other cities, and setting up what the opposition said were two torture bases in the capital, Harare.

It said ZANU-PF's actions violate a basic power-sharing agreement signed in September and have killed the dialogue on forming a unity government.

Movement for Democratic Change leader Morgan Tsvangirai addresses supporters during rally in Masvingo, 19 Oct 2008
Movement for Democratic Change leader Morgan Tsvangirai addresses supporters during rally in Masvingo, 19 Oct 2008
It was not immediately clear if MDC chief Morgan Tsvangirai still plans to attend a summit on the Zimbabwe crisis to be held in South Africa on Sunday.

The talks between Tsvangirai's party and ZANU-PF have been stalled for weeks because of disputes over who will control key cabinet ministries.

South Africa's government has said it is concerned at the slow pace of the talks and would push for a final agreement at Sunday's conference, hosted by the Southern African Development Community.

The use of force against Zimbabwean opposition activists has been widely documented by human rights groups.  In 2007, police beat and injured Tsvangirai at a rally in Harare.    In June of this year, Tsvangirai pulled out a presidential run-off election against Mr. Mugabe after dozens of MDC activists were killed and hundreds more injured by ZANU-PF militants.

Many government later dismissed the run-off, won by Mr. Mugabe, as a sham.

Despite the violence, ZANU-PF and the MDC are under pressure to strike a deal so Zimbabwe can recover from its deep economic crisis.  Inflation is officially estimated at 231 million percent, though analysts say the actual figures is even higher. 

emailme.gif E-mail This Article
printerfriendly.gif Print Version

  Related Stories
Lawyers Ask Zimbabwe High Court For Access To Opposition Clients
Zimbabwe Accuses Botswana of Meddling
Cash Measures By Zimbabwe Central Bank Fail To Relieve Shortages
 
  Top Story
Obama Requests Changes to Afghan Options

  More Stories
Obama Readies for First Asia Tour
N. Korea Says South Will Pay 'Expensive Price' for Naval Clash
China Rejects Human Rights Watch Report on Black Jails
Pakistan Seeks Role in US-Afghan Policy
At Least 10 Soldiers Killed in Pakistan Clashes
Obama Honors US Military Veterans  Video clip available
French, German Leaders Commemorate Armistice Day  Audio Clip Available
Obama's Middle East Strategy Stalls
Body of Missing US Soldier Found in Afghanistan
Yemen, US Sign Military Cooperation Deal
Pirates Seize Cargo Ship in Indian Ocean
Clinton: Naval Clash Won't Stop Outreach to North Korea  Audio Clip Available
Japan to Tell Obama It Wants Okinawa Marine Base Closed  Audio Clip Available
APEC Foreign Ministers Discourage Protectionism  Audio Clip Available
Zimbabwe Land Seizures Reportedly Intensify  Audio Clip Available