Zimbabwe Opposition Leader Sets Up Base in Botswana Amid Crisis

Zimbabwe’s opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) party leader Morgan Tsvangirai has reportedly set up base in neighboring Botswana, saying he feared for his life if he returned to the country soon, APA learned Monday.

The MDC leader told Canada’s The Globe and Mail newspaper he would not return to Zimbabwe any time soon because he feared arrest or being murdered.

“It is no use going back to Zimbabwe and become captive,” he said.

The opposition leader, who has claimed he beat President Robert Mugabe in last month’s presidential elections, said he was using every opportunity while outside the country to mobilize international support against Mugabe’s government.

“I’m being effective in making sure that the issue of Zimbabwe remains on the international radar,” said Tsvangirai, whose party had earlier this month denied that he had fled Zimbabwe.

Tsvangirai has not returned to Zimbabwe since the country plunged into deeper political turmoil after disputed general elections held on March 29.

The MDC won control of parliament in the 29 March polls but there is still no word on the outcome of a simultaneous presidential ballot.

The elections stalemate has sucked in other countries, with the Southern African Development Community convening an emergence summit in Zambia on 12 April to discuss the crisis.

The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission has ordered a recount in 23 of the 210 constituencies at the behest of Mugabe’s ruling ZANU PF party which alleged electoral fraud.

The MDC has said it would not accept the outcome of the ballot recount.

Source African Press Agency

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