Zimbabwe Opposition Leader in Dutch Embassy
Zimbabwe opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai left the Dutch embassy in his country for a few hours to give a press conference about the presidential elections in Zimbabwe this Friday (tomorrow). During the press conference he said that these elections are a ‘farce’ and he called on the African Union to play a vital role in the process of bringing Mugabe down.
He also said that he is not willing to talk with Mugabe after Friday’s elections, saying that he does not want anything to do with a future government, unless the elections are free and open.
Tsvangirai arrived Sunday in the embassy. He said - rightfully so - that his life was in danger. In an uncharacteristically courageous and principled move, the Dutch embassy welcomed him. Today he left the safety of the embassy behind for two hours, but he quickly came back after said press conference.
Just about every single African leader has said that Mugabe has to either step down, or organize free and open elections (same result of course)… except for South Africa’s leader Mbeki.
The West too is increasing its pressure on Mugabe to give in to the will of the people.
For now, however, the pressure is not paying off. Instead, Mugabe has truly transformed himself into a ruthless dictator, who is more than willing to kill members of the opposition.
Although the Dutch government does important work by protecting Tsvangirai, one hopes that it - together with other European Union governments - will do more. Tsvangirai asked the international community to send peace troops to Zimbabwe. It seems to me that the UN should agree to send troops ASAP, regardless of what Mugabe wants. Then organize elections. If Mugabe loses, and he will in free and open elections, he will be forced to step down; if he does not, troops will simply force him out.
