This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/africa/7485412.stm
The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 3 | Version 4 |
|---|---|
| Mugabe rival rejects unity call | Mugabe rival rejects unity call |
| (about 3 hours later) | |
| Zimbabwe's opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai has rejected forming a unity government if he is not recognised as the winner of presidential elections. | Zimbabwe's opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai has rejected forming a unity government if he is not recognised as the winner of presidential elections. |
| African leaders called for a unity government days after Robert Mugabe won a run-off boycotted by the opposition. | African leaders called for a unity government days after Robert Mugabe won a run-off boycotted by the opposition. |
| Mr Tsvangirai, who won the first-round vote, said the African Union should appoint another mediator to join South Africa's leader Thabo Mbeki. | Mr Tsvangirai, who won the first-round vote, said the African Union should appoint another mediator to join South Africa's leader Thabo Mbeki. |
| Earlier, a spokesman for Mr Mugabe welcomed the AU call for dialogue. | Earlier, a spokesman for Mr Mugabe welcomed the AU call for dialogue. |
| The opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) leader withdrew from last week's poll citing widespread state-sponsored violence. | The opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) leader withdrew from last week's poll citing widespread state-sponsored violence. |
| In a statement, the MDC 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. | In a statement, the MDC 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. |
| 'Illegitimate' | 'Illegitimate' |
| At the end of a two-day summit, which ended in Egypt on Tuesday, AU leaders approved a resolution calling for the "creation of a government of national unity" in Zimbabwe. | At the end of a two-day summit, which ended in Egypt on Tuesday, AU leaders approved a resolution calling for the "creation of a government of national unity" in Zimbabwe. |
| Mugabe is going for national dialogue... not national unity concocted by the West Sikhanyiso Ndlovu Information Minister African leaders tread softlyHarare diary: Eyes on EgyptInside Mugabe's mind class="" href="/1/hi/talking_point/7485842.stm">A unity government? | |
| Mr Tsvangirai said the resolution did not acknowledge the illegitimacy of the 27 June run-off vote. | Mr Tsvangirai said the 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 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." |
| He said the basis of talks should be the first-round election. | He said 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," he said. | "A government of national unity does not address the problems facing Zimbabwe or acknowledge the will of the Zimbabwean people," he said. |
| "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. | "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. |
| Information Minister Sikhanyiso Ndlovu said Mr Mugabe had already called for dialogue before the Sharm el-Sheikh meeting. | Information Minister Sikhanyiso Ndlovu said Mr Mugabe had already called for dialogue before the Sharm el-Sheikh meeting. |
| "It is only endorsing what the president said, that he is going for national dialogue and is open to anyone who is willing to talk, not national unity concocted by the West," he said. | "It is only endorsing what the president said, that he is going for national dialogue and is open to anyone who is willing to talk, not national unity concocted by the West," he said. |
| After the AU meeting, French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner, whose country holds the European Union's rotating presidency, said the EU "will not accept a government other than one led by Mr Tsvangirai". | After the AU meeting, French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner, whose country holds the European Union's rotating presidency, said the EU "will not accept a government other than one led by Mr Tsvangirai". |
| But Mr Mbeki said solutions could not be imposed from outside. | But Mr Mbeki said solutions could not be imposed from outside. |
| "The result that comes out of that process of dialogue must be a result that is agreed by the Zimbabweans," he told the South African Broadcasting Corporation. | "The result that comes out of that process of dialogue must be a result that is agreed by the Zimbabweans," he told the South African Broadcasting Corporation. |
| Militias on rampage | Militias on rampage |
| Since last Friday's run-off, the MDC says nine of its supporters have been murdered, hundreds more beaten and forced to leave their homes. | Since last Friday's run-off, the MDC says nine of its supporters have been murdered, hundreds more beaten and forced to leave their homes. |
| In Manicaland alone 500 MDC supporters and families have been forced to flee their homes since the weekend and are now seeking refuge at the party's headquarters in Mutare, it said. | In Manicaland alone 500 MDC supporters and families have been forced to flee their homes since the weekend and are now seeking refuge at the party's headquarters in Mutare, it said. |
| Zimbabwean journalist Themba Nkosi told the BBC that ruling party militias known as the "Green Bombers" have been on the rampage in the southern city of Bulawayo targeting commuter taxi operators and drivers. | Zimbabwean journalist Themba Nkosi told the BBC that ruling party militias known as the "Green Bombers" have been on the rampage in the southern city of Bulawayo targeting commuter taxi operators and drivers. |
| The militias are accusing the drivers of failing to campaign for Zanu-PF after being allocated free fuel by the party at government-owned filing stations, he says. | The militias are accusing the drivers of failing to campaign for Zanu-PF after being allocated free fuel by the party at government-owned filing stations, he says. |
| Are you in Zimbabwe? Are you in favour of a unity government? What do you think of the international reaction to the election? Send your comments using the form below, or text 44 7624 800 100. | Are you in Zimbabwe? Are you in favour of a unity government? What do you think of the international reaction to the election? Send your comments using the form below, or text 44 7624 800 100. |