Zimbabwe Opposition Silent on Exiled Leader’s Return

The leader of Zimbabwe’s main opposition party had by Thursday not yet returned from his self-imposed South African exile, casting doubt whether he would come back soon to face President Robert Mugabe in a presidential election run-off expected in three months.

Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) leader Morgan Tsvangirai, who defeated President Mugabe in the first round held on March 29, remained in South Africa from where he has led a campaign to drum up international support for his party after the disputed Zimbabwe elections.

MDC officials in Harare were not forthcoming about their leader’s impending return, preferring to say he would come back when conditions permit.

“He will come back when the time is right,” an official told APA Thursday.

Tsvangirai and the MDC’s secretary general, Tendai Biti, have been living in South Africa since fleeing from Zimbabwe in April after it became apparent that the country’s post-election crisis was going to be a long drawn out affair.

They cited security fears as reasons for leaving the country.

Source African Press Agency

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