Zimbabwe’s Mugabe, rival may be in unity talks

HARARE, Zimbabwe - A unity government could allow Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe a graceful way to at least begin to cede power — but people fear that questions about what role he would play could derail coalition talks said to be under way.

Tuesday, opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai said talk of a unity government, including both his party and Mugabe's, was premature. He said he was focused on campaigning for the presidential runoff, now less than three weeks away.

He did not rule out a coalition, though, saying it might be an issue after the vote.

Tsvangirai has repeatedly pledged to bring moderate members of Mugabe's ZANU-PF party — but not Mugabe — into his administration.

The sticking point has long appeared to be ZANU-PF's insistence that Mugabe be president of any unity government, along the lines of the coalition agreed to in Kenya after the results of a presidential vote last year were disputed.

Mugabe has been in power since independence from Britain in 1980. Stepping down would be a blow to the pride of a man used to adulation — even if the cheers in recent years have been engineered by party propagandists.

Brutal intimidation
Human rights groups accuse Mugabe of using violence and intimidation to ensure he wins the June 27 runoff. Mugabe trailed Tsvangirai in the March 29 first round, in which four candidates ran. According to official results, Tsvangirai did not win the 50 percent plus one vote necessary to avoid a runoff.

Tsvangirai expressed confidence that he would win the second round despite the violence, saying: "Mugabe can beat us but we will vote him out."

Tsvangirai blamed the violence on the military and police.

"The current reality is the army and police are calling the shots and Mugabe allows it to happen because it serves him," he said. "The country is now under a military junta."

The climate of fear could make many of Tsvangirai's supporters afraid to vote, and those who have fled their homes because of violence may be unable to because of laws mandating that ballots be cast in home districts.

Mugabe may claim victory, but find it difficult to claim a mandate after a vote undermined by campaign violence. That could make a coalition the only way to restore legitimacy.

MORE FROM AFRICA

Africa Section Front

Somali pirates striking farther out to sea Trial for top Zimbabwean PM's aide gets under way China promises billions in aid, loans to Africa West Africa's giraffes escape extinction Africa Section Front   Add Africa headlines to your news reader: