/ 14 September 2009

Tsvangirai puts heat on Mugabe

Morgan Tsvangirai, the prime minister of Zimbabwe, took a new tough stance against President Robert Mugabe on Sunday, warning: “You misjudge me at your peril.” Tsvangirai said he would consult the public on whether the fraught unity government was still tenable.

His hard line came as the first European Union delegation to visit Zimbabwe since 2002 said that targeted sanctions would not be lifted until the political rivals had resolved their differences.

Tsvangirai, addressing a rally to mark the 10th anniversary of his party, the Movement for Democratic Change, insisted that he would no longer tolerate violations of the power sharing agreement by Mugabe’s Zanu-PF party.

“I am not going to stand by while Zanu-PF continue to violate the law, persecute our members of parliament, spread the language of hate, invade our productive farms … ignore our international treaties,” the prime minister told thousands of supporters in Bulawayo. “I am not going to stand by and let this happen.”

In a tone that seemed to hover between defiance and exhaustion, Tsvangirai said: “I have done my part to promote reconciliation in this country. Even after winning the election, I have compromised for the sake of Zimbabwe. But don’t misjudge me. You misjudge me at your peril.”

He added: “We want partners that are sincere. We want partners who are going to commit themselves to good governance principles. We cannot have partners of looters.”

The MDC was formed on 11 September 1999 when a coalition of civil rights groups and churches launched a party to challenge Mugabe, who has been in power since 1980. It joined a unity government in February in an attempt to end the political unrest that erupted after last year’s failed elections. But the party says its supporters still suffer political attacks.

Tsvangirai, who has been criticised by some supporters for being too compliant, announced an initiative to consult the public on the future of the unity government during the next month. “We are coming to you. Is this government sustainable? It is you, the people, who shall give us direction.”

Mugabe welcomed the EU delegation on Saturday with what he described as “open arms”. Zimbabwe is seeking billions of dollars in aid to rebuild its ruined economy.

The EU delegation flew out of Harare on Sunday saying it would continue to give an average of €90-million a year in humanitarian assistance, along with a new injection of €7,5-million for an education sponsorship fund. But it said sanctions on Zimbabwean individuals and firms would not be lifted until the power-sharing agreement had been fully implemented.

Speaking in Johannesburg, Gunilla Carlsson, the international development minister of Sweden, which holds the EU’s rotating presidency, said: “Much more needs to be done. It’s a mixed picture and this is only the start of a long journey. My first impression is that there is a basic agreement with Mugabe and Tsvangirai that the GPA [global political agreement] is the way to go and there is no alternative. There is common ground, but it’s a small island.”

Carlsson highlighted agricultural production, the rule of law, conditions for foreign investment and the overall legal framework as ongoing obstacles to recovery. On the issue of sanctions, she said: “The key for re-engagement is the full implementation of the GPA. We are not there yet. It needs to be seen how deep the will is.”

Asked if she thought the MDC might run out of patience with its coalition partner, Carlsson added: “I can understand it’s tricky to come from such different views in a government. However, they have decided to do it, and the prime minister asked us to stay on message with the government of national unity. It will depend on how the situation develops.”

Karel De Gucht, the EU commissioner for development and humanitarian aid, said Mugabe and Tsvangirai were still deeply divided: “They do not have the same reading of the same document. They have a different reading on how this should be done and at what speed … Mugabe has a legalistic approach. Tsvangirai has a teleological approach, which means you work towards a purpose.” – guardian.co.uk