Founding President Morgan Tsvangirai of Zimbabwe's opposition Movement for Democratic Change warned the government Friday of the potential for serious conflict unless there was progress on a broad range of political issues. His remarks amounted to an ultimatum to President Robert Mugabe to join the opposition and international diplomats in a political solution or face MDC-organized mass protests.
Addressing a news conference in Harare following a meeting of the National Executive Council of his faction of Zimbabwe's divided opposition, Tsvangirai listed four areas in which he wanted to see progress: constitutional reform involving the participation of all stakeholders; an acceptable process for transition from rule by Mr. Mugabe and his ZANU-PF party to multi-party democracy; fresh elections organized by international partners; and reconstruction and stabilization after such a transition takes place.
Tsvangirai, recently returned from a swing through European capitals, said he would continue to campaign at home and abroad for a solution to the crisis. But if a solution is not found, he warned, "serious conflict is the only end-game in town.”
Reporter Patience Rusere of VOA's Studio 7 for Zimbabwe asked faction spokesman Nelson Chamisa for more on the strategic agenda outlined by Tsvangirai.
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