How Wikileaks set back Zim democracy

from the Atlantic:

Tsvangirai supports the sanctions to stop Mugabe, but it's unpopular to say so...now Wikileaks has revealed this, and so Mugabe is the winner.



To their supporters, WikiLeaks and its founder Julian Assange are heroes of the democratic cause. Assange himself has claimed that his organization promotes democracy by strengthening the media. But in Zimbabwe, Assange's pursuit of this noble goal has provided a tyrant with the ammunition to wound, and perhaps kill, any chance for multiparty democracy. Earlier this month, Assange claimed that "not a single person, as far as anyone is aware, has been harmed" by Wikileaks' practices. This is no longer true, if it ever was.

Any damage to democratic reforms from WikiLeaks likely comes not from malice but naivety.

Last June's meeting between President Obama and PM Tsvangirai

Tsvangirai ends boycott

from AlJazeerah

.

Tsvangirai's decision on Thursday followed a meeting in Maputo, Mozambique, with members of the Southern African Development Community (SADC).

"We have suspended our disengagement from the GPA (Global Political Agreement) with immediate effect and we will give President Robert Mugabe 30 days to implement the agreement on the pertinent issues we are concerned about," he told reporters.

He said his return to the cabinet would give the southern African group time to mediate.

no mention of violence or jailing by the government...

Tsvangirai, not Obama, deserved the Nobel Peace Prize

from AustinBay on StrategyPage.

"...Zimbabwe's Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai ought to have won the 2009 peace prize, and the fact he didn't is damning. Giants among us like Tsvangirai demonstrate that "peace warrior" is no oxymoron. Since the presidential election of 2008, which Zimbabwean dictator Robert Mugabe stole, Tsvangirai has provided a global lesson in physical courage and long-range vision.

Despite beatings, jail and the death of his wife, he has refused to let Mugabe's "machinery of violence" stall his steady, peaceful Movement for Democratic Change. A prime minister with little political power, Tsvangirai's adroit participation in a "unity government" has prevented (so far) a civil war. A Nobel would have provided protection for him, as well as forwarded his quest for peace. .."

Zim (state owned) media threatens gov't says Tsvangirai

from Bloomberg news:


Sept. 2 (Bloomberg) -- Zimbabwe’s state media is publishing “vicious propaganda” that threatens the country’s power-sharing government, Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai said.

“The political climate continues to be marred by unfortunate and vicious propaganda that emanates from the state media,” Tsvangirai said in a statement marking the first anniversary of the power-sharing agreement. It “presents a real and credible threat to this inclusive government and its ability to impact positively on the lives of all Zimbabweans.”


MDC lawmakers continue to be persecuted and prosecuted through a “selective application of the rule of law,” Tsvangirai said in his statement. There is a “deliberately slow pace” to improving human rights, he added.

Obama looking forward to meeting Tsvangirai

from the Zim Guardian

THE US President, Barack Obama says he is looking forward to meeting Prime Minister, Morgan Tsvangirai.

... on Friday, June 12."
...PM Tsvangirai is on a three-week state visit to the EU and US where is meeting leaders of Western nations seeking to re-engage Zimbabwe "into the community of nations".

A report in state media says the PM has been tasked by the inclusive Government to call for the removal of sanctions and seek a financial package to revive the economy.

The PM is on will visit France, Sweden, Britain, Holland, Belgium, Germany, Denmark and the US.

Tsvangirai says government is on the right track

from Reuters India

HARARE (Reuters) - Zimbabwean Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai has said his unity government with President Robert Mugabe was on the right track, despite their differences.

On Monday, Mugabe and Tsvangirai hold what the MDC says will be the last round of talks on outstanding issues from a power-sharing deal such as new appointments of the central bank governor and the attorney-general.

If they are not resolved the MDC's national council will meet to decide on the party's next step....

Morgan Tsvangirai on his wife

from the uKGuardian

In his first interview since the double tragedy, he describes the depths of his grief and pays a touching tribute to his wife of 31 years. "I don't know how to replace her," he says. "It's almost unimaginable that anyone could ever take her place, with the same qualities and the same love and care." The deep voice cracks as he struggles to hold back tears. "Susan and I were married for 31 years. As you can imagine, that made her almost a lifelong companion. She was humble. Not very pretentious at all."..

go to link and read the whole article

Susan Tsvangirai obituary

from the UKGuardian

...

A deeply religious woman committed to the alleviation of poverty and HIV/Aids, she ran a soup kitchen from her own home in Harare. Though she often accompanied her husband to political events, she rarely spoke publicly: when she did, her personal charm proved very effective.

Perhaps to distract herself from fears about her family, she set up the Comfort, or Nyaradzo Trust, the Shona word being taken from her middle name. Subsequently renamed the Susan Nyaradzo Tsvangirai Foundation, it aims to help Zimbabweans, particularly women and children. She wanted "to not only feed them but teach them to feed themselves. Return normality to children's lives. Seeing them playing in the parks, going to school. The way things used to be in this beautiful country. Help get things back to what they were, and make them even better if time permits."...

Our sympathies to Tsvangirai family

from Sokwanele

We know that the whole nation will be sharing the pain of the Tsvangirai family and mourning the death of Susan. We are deeply shocked. Our most heartfelt sympathy to the whole family. You’re in our thoughts and in our prayers.

Please leave your condolence messages here.

PM says it was an accident

from SWRadioAfrica

...

He told mourners gathered at his Strathaven home: "When something happens, there is always speculation, but I want to say in this case, if there was any foul play, it was one in a thousand.”
"It was an accident and unfortunately it took her life.' He said: "We know that we shall all die, but let's celebrate the life of Susan because we have gone through trials and tribulations together."
George Sibotshiwe a former aide of the MDC President told SW Radio Africa that the MDC was ruling out nothing. He said that ‘it’s impossible for us to say we rule out foul play.’ Sibotshiwe believes the accident could have been prevented if the MDC leader had been given proper security. He said ZANU PF still has not returned Tsvangirai’s bullet proof vehicle, which they confiscated last March during the election period. “

Injured Tsvangirai returns to Zim for wife's funeral

from CNN:

....Tsvangirai, who recently joined a unity government with long-time foe President Robert Mugabe, was taken to Botswana on Saturday for medical treatment, sources told CNN.

Tsvangirai's MDC party will hold a rally Tuesday in honor of Susan Tsvangirai, said Nelson Chamisa, the MDC spokesperson.

He called it "a send-off rally befitting a heroine."

He refused to say exactly when Tsvangirai would return to Zimbabwe. "The president (of the MDC) will definitely be back in the country in time for the burial set for Wednesday and the other formalities that go with the funeral. But I cannot give the media his itinerary as that comprises his security," Chamisa said....

Zim PM hurt, wife killed, in car crash

From LATimes

...
Information about how the accident happened and the nature of the prime minister's injuries was sketchy, but a party aide said Tsvangirai's life was not at risk.

Party officials at the hospital in Harare, the capital, confirmed the death of Susan Tsvangirai unofficially but said the family and doctors would release a formal statement later....


Tsvangirai, a former union official, is described by his friends as a humble family man who was very close to his wife. One colleague, Gift Chimanikire, described Susan sitting in the room knitting as he and her husband discussed setting up an opposition party in the 1990s.

"If you are eating a meal at Morgan's rural home, you know that Susan has prepared it herself. They're real village people and it's a real village home. They're real Africans," said Lucia Matibenga, vice president of the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions, in a recent Harare interview. Matibenga, an MDC lawmaker, helped found the party with Tsvangirai....

Fears over Zim Gov't after car crash

from News 24 (SA)

Police spokesperson Wayne Bvudzijena was quoted by state television as saying that the truck had crossed into the oncoming lane and side-swiped Tsvangirai's vehicle.

"The 4x4 Toyota Landcruiser is understood to have overturned and rolled thrice," the report said.

Two others hurt

Tsvangirai's spokesperson James Maridadi told reporters at the hospital in Harare that the accident happened at 16:00, and that two other people were in the car.

He declined to confirm Susan Tsvangirai's death, but another party official said on condition of anonymity that she died at the scene.

"Mrs Tsvangirai died on the spot... but the details are still sketchy," the party official said.

"The driver of the truck appeared to be sleeping," an MDC minister told AFP.

Tsvangirai was taken to a private hospital, where he was in a stable condition a senior party official said after visiting him....

Dirk Kotze of the University of South Africa said with the cause of the accident still unclear, any perception of foul play could have serious consequences.

"If it was just an accident and there was no foul play...then it will not have direct political consequences for Zimbabwe," he told AFP in Johannesburg.

"But it will bring a major crisis if there is any suggestion that it was not just an accident."...

Tsavngirai crash: Not an accident?

From the UKTelegraph:

photo from the AP



Movement for Democratic Change leaders in South Africa said they suspected the head on collision with a lorry which left prime minister Mr Tsvangirai injured and his wife Susan dead was not a genuine accident.

Rumours that the fatal incident was a botched assassination attempt spread quickly in the country which has a history of political killings.

It is understood that the couple were travelling to a rally in his hometown of Buhera yesterday afternoon when their car was hit on a road south of the capital Harare by a freight truck travelling in the opposite direction. Local reports said the driver of the truck had fallen asleep at the wheel.

Susan Tsvangirai died at the scene and her husband was taken to hospital with minor injuries, where he was visited by Mr Mugabe. The couple been married for 31 years and had six children. ...

Tsvangirai set to become Zim's new Prime Minister

from AFP:

HARARE (AFP) — Zimbabwe's opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai is set to become prime minister Wednesday, joining President Robert Mugabe in a unity government after a decade of struggling to push him from power....

"The sceptics must understand why we have done this and what is the best course of action to address the questions and challenges of transition in this political environment," Tsvangirai said on the eve of his swearing-in.

"We have made this decision and we made it without being forced. We want our colleagues in the country and outside the country to approach it from that perspective. It is our decision. Let history be the judge of this decision," he said.

His swearing-in will cap nearly a year of turmoil that began last March, when Tsvangirai won a first-round presidential vote that was greeted with nationwide political violence, mostly against his supporters.

Hoping to end the unrest that left at least 180 dead, Tsvangirai pulled out of the run-off and left Mugabe to claim a one-sided victory denounced as a sham overseas.

South Africa brokered the unity deal, which was signed on September 15 but stalled amid protracted talks on how to divide cabinet posts and share control of the security forces.

Those concerns were finally addressed when the parties agreed to name co-ministers to home affairs, which oversees the police, and to create a new National Security Council that will allow all parties control of the security forces.

But analysts question how such an arrangement can work with the 84-year-old Mugabe, who has ruled since independence in 1980 and who just recently declared that "Zimbabwe is mine."

"Tsvangirai's swearing in symbolises a new era for the people of Zimbabwe," said Daniel Makina, a political analyst at the University of South Africa.

"Whether the inclusive government will be a success or not is another matter," he added.

Tsvangirai on agreementt

from Sokwenele

Sokwanele Article: January 30th, 2009

“Therefore, in accordance with the party’s constitution, the political agreement we signed on September 15th 2008, and in the best interests of the welfare of all Zimbabweans, the MDC has resolved to form an inclusive government with Zanu PF and MDC-M” - Morgan Tsvangirai

Statement by the Leader of The Movement for Democratic Change, President Morgan Tsvangirai, on the Resolutions of the Party's National Council Meeting at Harvest House, Harare

Today, the MDC's National Council met as we once again find ourselves at an historic crossroads in our decade-long struggle for democracy. Throughout this struggle, the MDC has been guided by the principles of democracy and by the will of the people. This campaign is neither easy nor straightforward and often we have had to change the fronts on which we wage the struggle in response to changing circumstances and conditions.

The MDC was established to bring about change through the ballot box. This we achieved despite overwhelming odds, culminating in our historic victories in the March 29th Parliamentary, Presidential and local government elections.

Then, the brutal campaign of violence unleashed against our supporters by Zanu PF, forced us to withdraw from the June 27th event. Thus it became obvious that we could no longer wage our struggle via the polling booth.

We looked to the region to support our position and the will of the people by acknowledging the results of March 29th as the basis on which a new government should be formed. Subsequently, we succeeded in forcing Zanu PF to the negotiating table which became the new frontline in our quest for a democratic Zimbabwe. It was for this reason that we signed the Global Political Agreement on September 15th, 2008.

I know that you are very familiar with the events from that date. We in the MDC have abided by the letter and spirit of both the Memorandum of Understanding and the GPA. Sadly, Zanu PF was not the type of constructive and positive partner that we envisaged when we signed the GPA and therefore, the consummation of the agreement has been subject to unnecessary delays.

Nonetheless, we have consistently tabled our outstanding issues to SADC and we have remained committed to finding a negotiated settlement to the political crisis in Zimbabwe. This process culminated in the SADC summit on Monday 26th January, where the Southern African leaders made the following resolutions:

1. The parties shall endeavour to cause Parliament to pass the Constitutional Amendment 19 by 5 February 2009.
2. The Prime Minister and the Deputy Prime Ministers shall be sworn in by 11 February 2009:
3. The Ministers and Deputy Ministers shall be sworn in on 13 February 2009, which will conclude the process of the formation of the inclusive government.
4. The Joint-Monitoring and Implementation Committee (JOMIC), provided for in the Global Political Agreement, shall be activated immediately. The first meeting of JOMIC shall be convened by the facilitator on 30 January 2009 and shall, among other things, elect the chairpersons;
5. The allocation of ministerial portfolios endorsed by the SADC Extraordinary Summit held on 9 November 2008 shall be reviewed six (6) months after the inauguration of the inclusive government.
6. The appointments of the Reserve Bank Governor and the Attorney General will be dealt with by the inclusive government after its formation
7. The negotiators of the parties shall meet immediately to consider the National Security Bill submitted by the MDC-T as well as the formula for the distribution of governors: While we felt that these resolutions do not represent an acknowledgement of all our issues, they do represent significant concessions on the part of Zanu PF and a recognition by SADC that our demands are justified as a first step towards a sustainable solution to the Zimbabwe crisis.

Our National Council's meeting today was therefore convened to evaluate the party's position in relation to the inclusive government. The concessions made by Zanu PF incorporate four out of the five outstanding issues. These four issues are the allocation of Provincial Governors, the National Security Legislation, Constitutional Amendment 19 and the breaches to the Global Political Agreement.

Thus, the parties have agreed on the sharing of Provincial Governors portfolios and have already met to begin negotiations on the allocation formula. Similarly, with regard to the National Security Legislation, the negotiators have met to discuss the draft bill submitted by the MDC.

It is clear therefore that these two issues are subject to negotiation and therefore constitute work in progress. It is hoped that the work in progress will be concluded to the satisfaction of all the parties as soon as possible.

The third issue relates to Constitutional Amendment 19. The MDC has insisted that Constitutional Amendment 19 is enacted by parliament and signed into law prior to the swearing in of the Prime Minister and this has been agreed to by the parties as reflected in the SADC communiqué.

On the issue of the equitable allocation of ministerial portfolios, SADC reiterated its position from November 9th, 2008 and expanded its commitment to review the allocation of all ministries, not only Home Affairs, within six months of an inclusive government being formed.

On the breaches to the GPA and the MOU, SADC resolved that the Joint-Monitoring Implementation Committee (JOMIC), is established to review and reverse these breaches. This committee comprises four members from MDC-T, four members from MDC-M and four members from Zanu PF.

However, the MDC is concerned that the issue of the unwarranted and illegal abductions and detentions of MDC members and other democratic activists needs to be addressed as a matter of urgency and to this effect, the MDC will ensure an end to the persecution of all Zimbabweans.

In light of these resolutions, todays's debate centred around two issues:

Firstly, what will allow us the best opportunity to continue to pursue our goal of achieving a free, democratic Zimbabwe in line with the roadmap from our Congress of March 2006? and;

Secondly, what is the best way of alleviating the suffering of the Zimbabwean people, stabilising the economy and restoring and retaining some semblance of a normal society?

Let us make no mistake, by joining an inclusive government, we are not saying that this is a solution to the Zimbabwe crisis, instead our participation signifies that we have chosen to continue the struggle for a democratic Zimbabwe in a new arena. This agreement is a significant milestone on our journey to democracy but it does not signify that we have arrived at our destination – we are committed to establishing a democratic Zimbabwe regardless of how long that struggle takes us.

We have the majority in parliament, we control all the main urban councils and many rural councils, we will have control of 13 ministries and a presence in the key decision-making bodies of the executive.

Throughout the course of our deliberations today we referred to, and were guided by, the road map that we established for ourselves in March 2006, namely - negotiations, a transitional authority, a people driven constitution and fresh, free and fair elections.

In this respect, the National Council resolved that through joining an inclusive government in line with the GPA and the SADC resolutions the party will be able to achieve the following:

• To move towards a new, democratic Zimbabwe by ensuring that a people-driven constitution is crafted and adopted.
• That this inclusive government will serve as a transitional authority leading to free and fair elections.
• The restoration of the people's freedoms through creating democratic space, restoring the rule of law and basic human rights.
• The stabilisation and rebuilding of the economy and the provision of all essential services, in particular health care and education.
• To maintain the principles of the working people's convention established in 1999.
• To ensure that we begin a process of national healing and integration.

Therefore, in accordance with the party's constitution, the political agreement we signed on September 15th 2008, and in the best interests of the welfare of all Zimbabweans the MDC has resolved to form an inclusive government with Zanu PF and MDC-M.

The success of this inclusive government is dependent on many factors including the goodwill of the parties involved, the support of the people of Zimbabwe and the continued engagement and vigilance of SADC, AU and the broader international community in ensurinhg that all parties are bound by the letter and spirit of the GPA and the commitments made at the last SADC summit. In this respect, the party shall continue to monitor the implementation of the agreement, in particular in shall assess and review its position in the inclusive government after 6 months in line with the SADC resolutions.

Now is the time for us to put aside our political differences , to prioritise the welfare of the people in both our policies and our actions and to focus on stabilisation, development, progress and democratization. In this I know that we have the support of the vast majority of Zimbabweans, both in Zanu PF and the MDC, in the civil service,the workers and the business community and we look forward to working with you to rebuild our great nation.

In conclusion, I would like to note that in this struggle we have not been alone. I wish to acknowledge the commitment and perseverance of SADC to finding a negotiated solution to the political crisis. In particular, we have had the unwavering support of our regional allies who have stood by us and our democratic ideals throughout this process and we are grateful for their solidarity.

We would like to acknowledge the support and solidarity that we have had from trade unions, civil society and democratic peoples' and governments all over the world. We appreciate this support and know that we could not have come this far without them.

Most importantly of all, we have had the support of the people. A people who have stood by their right to live in freedom, with access to jobs, health care, education and prosperity in such a principled and peaceful manner.

I would like to appeal to all these forces to continue to support us in whatever decision we take because the struggle is not over, our commitment is not lessened, our vision is not dulled and our resolve has not been weakened.

We will deliver a New Zimbabwe to the people.

The struggle continues.

I thank you

Tsvangirai suggested for Nobel Prize

from reuters SA

summary: Bets are that a Chinese dissadent will win, but some suggest Tsvangirai deserves a prize.

An open letter to Zimabweans from President Tsvangarai

From African Path

By Morgan Tsvangirai

Open Letter from the President of the Movement for Democratic Change, Mr. Morgan Tsvangirai, on the Signing of the Memorandum of Understanding

July 22, 2008

My fellow Zimbabweans,

Yesterday I signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Mr. Robert Mugabe and Prof. Arthur Mutambara. This document commits our three parties to a framework of negotiations that will take place over the next two weeks.

I know that in signing this Memorandum of Understanding, I represent the hopes and aspirations of millions of Zimbabweans to end this crisis as soon as possible. Honest, hardworking Zimbabweans who want nothing more than a life that offers peace, security, economic opportunity, democracy and social and personal development. This is a responsibility that the Movement for Democratic Change and I take with the utmost seriousness.

This Memorandum offers the most tangible opportunity in the past ten years to improve the lives of our fellow citizens. But, our signatures alone do not guarantee that we will be able to make the most of this opportunity. Our signatures on this document must be accompanied by acknowledging some very basic truths:

We are Zimbabweans who want only what is best for our country and our citizens. Our shared goal is best achieved in a climate of tolerance and stability, not divisiveness and anger. We believe that wanting a more democratic future or expressing an alternate political opinion should be viewed as a right and not as a declaration of war. No one has a monopoly on patriotism.

We believe that the will of the people is the fundamental basis on which to ground our negotiations.

We acknowledge that these negotiations can only proceed and succeed if the rule of law is restored, if people are able to go about their business in safety, if the public media refrain from using hate speech to polarize the community, if the persecution of MDC MPs, members and supporters ceases, and if humanitarian organizations are allowed once again to provide aid to the millions of Zimbabweans in need of assistance.

For my part, I call on all Zimbabweans who believe in the ideals of democracy as espoused by the MDC, to continue to abide by the rule of law, to live in a spirit of tolerance and inclusiveness in the knowledge that if we work together in this spirit, a better future lies ahead and justice will prevail.

Yesterday, we committed ourselves to a process that presents the framework in which we can strive to find a solution to the Zimbabwe crisis. This is just the first step on a journey whose duration and success is dependent on the sincerity and good faith of all parties involved.

In the spirit of a shared vision to heal our nation, I call upon my fellow signatories to join me in putting aside our differences and acknowledging that we have a responsibility to the people of Zimbabwe to show true leadership and to find agreement that will bring an end to the violence, polarisation, poverty and fear in which we have all been living for too long. Our fellow countrymen and women look to us to find common ground that will allow us, as a nation, to chart a democratic path forward.

We must acknowledge that the outcome of these negotiations will not be acceptable until it has been endorsed by Zimbabwean civil society, the trade unions and the people themselves. We are not here to form an elitist pact, but rather to represent the hopes and aspirations of each citizen and every stakeholder. This is my commitment to our partners who have struggled with us for a more democratic form of government.

To the people of Zimbabwe I say, have courage, be strong, better days lie ahead.

The heart of the entire world is broken by what has happened in our country, and your bravery is praised among all peoples everywhere. The world stands ready to join us in rebuilding our nation and restoring what has been lost, once our peace and freedom are re-established.

May God bless Zimbabwe.

Morgan Tsvangirai

President MDC

--------------------------

Sorry I was so late in posting it....family problems and internet outages during the last two weeks.

Tsvangirai released after Mbeki call

from AFP:

JOHANNESBURG (AFP) — Zimbabwe opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai was freed from police detention after a phone appeal by South African President Thabo Mbeki to the Harare government, Mbeki's spokesman said Thursday....

The phone conversation with unnamed representatives of Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe's government came shortly after Tsvangirai was held at a police roadblock on Wednesday lunchtime. Tsvangirai was released later in the evening...