Tsvangirai 'rejects' unity govt

2008-07-02 13:38

Harare - Zimbabwe opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai on Wednesday rejected forming a government of national unity with President Robert Mugabe, saying it would not solve the country's crisis.

"A government of national unity does not address the problems facing Zimbabwe or acknowledge the will of the Zimbabwean people," Tsvangirai told reporters after a meeting of his party's national executive committee.

Speaking after African Union leaders called for the formation of a national unity government, the Movement for Democratic Change leader said the AU had failed to acknowledge the fact that he won the first round of Zimbabwe's election before Mugabe staged a one-man run-off last Friday.

"The resolution does not recognise the illegitimacy of the June 27 election and the fact that most African leaders refused to recognise Mugabe as head of state," he said.

"The resolution endorses the concept of a government of national unity without acknowledging that the MDC, as the winner of the last credible election, on March 29 should be recognised as legitimate government of Zimbabwe."

Tsvangirai said his party was committed to negotiations on the country's crisis, but said it should be on the basis of finding a transitional agreement that would lead to fresh elections.

He said: "While the MDC remains committed to negotiations this must be based on the March 29 result and must move towards a transitional agreement.

"Our commitment to a negotiated settlement is not about power-sharing or power deals but about democracy, freedom and justice."

- AFP