Jammeh swipes at Tsvangirai

by PK Jarju
Gambian President, Yahya Jammeh has blamed the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) and it leader, Morgan Tsvangirai for the violence in Zimbabwe which has left many people dead and the country on the brink of collapse.

Speaking to reporters on Wednesday at the Banjul International Airport shortly after his arrival from the two-day African Union summit held in the Egyptian resort town of Sharm el-Sheikh, President Jammeh said the current murky political climate in the Southern Africa country was cause by the opposition MDC, which he accused of being financed by hostile foreign powers that are trying to re-colonise Zimbabwe.

"The MDC is responsible for the violence and intimidation in Zimbabwe which affected the outcome of the first round of election held earlier this year," President said.

While accusing Morgan Tsvangirai and his MDC supporters of being puppets of the West, President Jammeh warned that the African people cannot support any desire of the West's to recolonise the Africa continent.

Jammeh's comments are in contrast to neighbouring Senegal, which is leading calls for the creation of a unity government in Zimbabwe.

Meanwhile, South African President Thabo Mbeki, who is heading the mediation process in the country has told South Africa Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) that outsiders like the European Union or other African nations cannot impose a solution in the trouble country.

"The African Union and Southern African Development Community (SADC) cannot dictate the outcome of negotiations between Zimbabwe and political parties," he said.

There is no sign that the current crisis in Zimbabwe will be resolve soon. While Robert Mugabe have accepted calls for dialogue, opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai has rejected forming a unity government if he is not recognised as the winner of the presidential elections.

In a statement, the MDC leader said Tuesday's resolution by African Union leaders did not adequately deal with the ongoing violence in Zimbabwe, which include reports of reprisal attacks on those who failed to vote for Mr Mugabe on Friday. He added that the said AU resolution did not acknowledge the illegitimacy of the 27 June run-off vote.

"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 29 March, should be recognised as the legitimate government of Zimbabwe. The basis of talks should be the first-round election. A government of national unity does not address the problems facing Zimbabwe or acknowledge the will of the Zimbabwean people. While the MDC remains committed to negotiations, this must be based on the 29 March result and must move towards a transitional agreement," AFP news agency quotes him as saying.