MDC+participating+in+Zimbabwe+March+elections,+Tsvangirai




 * MDC Media Release, 4 February 2008**

=MDC to participate in March elections=

//President Tsvangirai's speech on participating in the March elections//

The National Council met over two days and considered a number of national issues. Deliberations centred around two key issues: the March elections and the quest for a united MDC.

Zimbabweans are hungry, angry, have no food and have no jobs. Zimbabweans want to get out of a deep hole, reclaim their voice and get on with their lives.

After a protracted democratic struggle, we supported the SADC initiative on the understanding that the process could lead to a free and fair election.

The SADC dialogue has now reached a deadlock. On our part, we strongly believe SADC has a regional responsibility to unlock the political impasse. We urge SADC to act.

What this deadlock means is that we are going into an election in March whose outcome is likely to be contested. In doing so, we are guided by one principle – to give Zimbabweans yet another fighting chance to confront the dictatorship. The dangers of a contested outcome in an election are common cause.

A democratic struggle of the nature we are engaged in is a process. An election is but one of the several strategies a people can use to achieve an outcome that ultimately leads to the resolution of the national crisis.

We decided to go into this election fully aware of the potential dangers surrounding the process.

Our struggle seeks to go beyond the March election until the people can see and feel a fundamental change in their daily lives.

Robert Mugabe and Zanu PF have a choice. The people, by demanding that we participate in the elections under unsatisfactory conditions, feel Mugabe and Zanu PF must be allowed to clear and finish off any residual strains of legitimacy he still claims to have.

We believe the struggle shall continue beyond Mugabe's narrow and selfish electionistic approach to the deepening national crisis. The people know that they won the last three elections. They know that they shall triumph.


 * Unity of the MDC**

The MDC split caused a lot of pain and anxiety at home and abroad. For a greater part of last year, we worked together with our colleagues in the other formation. We worked as a team in the SADC brokered talks with Zanu PF. Together, we are disappointed by the outcome.

We buried our personal differences in the national interest and continued to pursue our quest for a united MDC, not for purposes of the March election alone, but to give the people another chance to fight for a new Zimbabwe as united front.

We agreed on a set of principles and guidelines for a united front. The National Council adopted those principles and resolved to adhere to these lofty goals in the future.

However, the National Council disagreed on the selection of candidates, causing a temporary delay to an agreement that still shall ultimately see a single MDC home take shape. On our part, we committed to act unity and exercise our discretion as a leadership and to refrain from contesting in selected constituencies currently being held by sitting MPs in the other formation.

We shall demonstrate the spirit of togetherness in all other areas, co-operating in our campaign against Zanu PF and ensuring that the MDC succeeds countrywide.

The need for unity of all progressive forces arose from our own initiative and is in the national interest. We shall always be guided by the principle and shall act accordingly.

We aim to focus on Robert Mugabe and Zanu PF as the authors of the Zimbabwe crisis.

We believe there is strength in unity. And, with this approach I believe our victory is in sight.

MDC President.**
 * Morgan Tsvangirai,

By e-mail

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