Tsvangirai warns of Zimbabwe 'inferno'

Tsvangirai warns of Zimbabwe 'inferno'

MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai

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By Agencies

ZIMBABWE'S main opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai warned on Tuesday that any "carelessness" by the government ahead of the March elections could lead to an "inferno" in the southern African country.

Tsvangirai, in a weekly newsletter, called for "sensitive political management" especially in the run-up to the parliamentary elections in the politically divided and crisis-ridden nation.

"We remain deeply concerned that the grass is now so dry that any form of carelessness, in particular in the next two to three months, could lead to an inferno," he said, but added that he was still extending an "olive branch" to the country's leadership.

President Robert Mugabe's ruling Zimbabwe African National Union Patriotic Front (Zanu-PF) at the weekend re-elected the octogenarian head of state, Vice president Joseph Msika and elected a co-vice president Joyce Mujuru to head the party for the next five years.

"To the new Zanu-PF leadership, I welcome you with the same old message: I am still holding out that olive branch," Tsvangirai said.

"An opportunity for a rapid turnaround of our fortunes is still possible. Zimbabwe requires a soft landing," he said, appealing for "a political solution before it is too late".

Tsvangirai, who has just returned from a month-long tour of Africa and Europe to drum up support for his party, said "election management, humanitarian emergency and a looming constitutional disaster" required "sensitive political management". The need of the hour was also "insightful leadership beyond political parties and individuals", he said.

Mugabe has dismissed Tsvangirai's Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) as a stooge of former colonial ruler Britain and has effectively ruled out the resumption of any talks with the opposition whom he labels as puppets.

Mugabe has also said that Tsvangirai wasted time on foreign trips instead of campaigning for the 2005 parliamentary elections.
AFP
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