PRIME Minister Morgan Tsvangirai has escalated his regional diplomatic offensive after meeting on Thursday the presidents of Gabon and Nigeria, Ali Bongo Ondimba and Goodluck Jonathan respectively, as he pressures President Robert Mugabe to implement agreed electoral reforms ahead of crucial harmonised polls.
Report by Nduduzo Tshuma
Tsvangirai has in the last week been on a regional tour to ratchet up pressure on Mugabe, whom he accuses of reneging on implementing key reforms, including media and security sector reforms, ahead of the scheduled elections later this year.
PM spokesman, Luke Tamborinyoka said Tsvangirai had restated his position that Mugabe should implement reforms that were agreed on at the signing of the Global Political Agreement (GPA) in September 2008.
“Tsvangirai reiterated his concern over Zanu PF’s lack of political will to ensure that true reforms agreed to four years ago were implemented and were allowed to take root well before the elections,” Tamborinyoka said.
Tsvangirai told the two leaders that he was aware of a plot to tamper with the voters’ roll to ensure that first time voters were frustrated from voting.
“The premier said he was aware of a plot to tamper with the voters’ roll by disenfranchising some Zimbabweans and ensuring that first time voters are frustrated from registering in large numbers,” Tamborinyoka said.
- Chamisa under fire over US$120K donation
- Mavhunga puts DeMbare into Chibuku quarterfinals
- Pension funds bet on Cabora Bassa oilfields
- Councils defy govt fire tender directive
Keep Reading
“In response, Gabonese leader, Ondimba said: Zimbabweans should be allowed to express themselves in a credible poll.
“He said all African leaders would need to remain seized with the problems in Zimbabwe until they were resolved through an election whose results would not be contestable.
Nigerian President Jonathan said he would remain on the side of the people of Zimbabwe “who deserved a chance to democratically elect their leaders without let or hindrance”.
