PRIME Minister Morgan Tsvangirai has said he will run in next year's general elections but called for the deployment of peacekeepers to prevent a repeat of the violence which characterised the disputed 2008 polls.
Addressing party supporters in Chitungwiza on Sunday Tsvangirai said international peacekeepers were needed to guarantee a free and fair election.
“We agreed that within the next 18-24 months we (would) go for elections. So far we have gone through the first year and we are left with only a few months. We don’t want a violent election but an environment for a free and fair election.
“We are not afraid of going for an election. I hear reports about violence, about houses being burnt. We have to stop the violence before the election. Let’s bring in foreign observers.
“Why don’t we have a peace keeping force so that everyone (can) exercise their democratic rights? Why don’t we have a peacekeeping force so that we have peace and stability before we conduct an election? If we can’t do it ourselves lets use SADC and AU to create that environment for a free and fair election,” the MDC-T leader said.
Tsvangirai’s remarks come after President Robert Mugabe indicated that the inclusive administration would have to wind-up business and hold elections early next year whether or not there was a new constitution in place.
Mugabe added that he was ready to represent Zanu PF in the elections if asked by the party.
Meanwhile, the MDC-T leader also voiced his frustration at the failure of the inter-party dialogue to resolve so-called “outstanding issues” still dividing the inclusive administration.
“We are sick and tired of endless talks. We shall take measures that there will be no more dialogue for dialogue’s sake. We are a country in a transition, so get ready for elections,” he said.
Mugabe and Tsvangirai agreed to form a unity government after violent but inconclusive general elections in 2008 but the administration remains divided over various issues and has made little progress in implanting reforms.
Tsvangirai accuses Mugabe of stalling on fully implementing the political deal which led to the establishment of the unity government while the veteran Zanu PF leader says his rival is not doing enough to have sanctions removed.