Zimbabwe 2018 Election: Chance To Start Afresh - Tsvangirai

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Zimbabwe Main Opposition Leader Morgan Tsvangirai Addresses Supporters (File Photo).

Zimbabwe’s opposition leader, Morgan Tsvangirai says the much awaited 2018 elections present the nation with a chance to start afresh and rebuild the country that has faced a socio-economic crisis for over two-decades.

A near 90% unemployment rate, according to independent economists, company closures, cash shortages, widespread poverty, drug shortages in hospitals and constant outbreaks of tropical diseases like cholera mirror life in Zimbabwe.

Tsvangirai, who has been endorsed to lead a coalition of opposition parties against President Robert Mugabe’s Zanu PF, said “enough is enough, adding Zimbabweans need to register to vote against, “defend the vote and rebuild the country”.

“…What was soothing was that we all agreed that 2018 is a perfect opportunity for the nation to start afresh; to build a new country and gather the broken smithereens of our scattered hope.

“It was comforting that regardless of all your legitimate and genuine grievances against this regime, you still hold the hope for our country and its future; that 2018 shall be the year we all start afresh,” Tsvangirai wrote in an opinion piece.

In 2008, Tsvangirai - who leads the opposition MDC T - won the first round of balloting against Mugabe but his votes were not enough to send him to State House, resulting in the holding of a run-off election.

A violent run-off election campaign - blamed on Zanu PF supporters and state security agents - followed forcing Tsvangirai to pull out of the polls.

Mugabe won the run-off uncontested, but the results were disputed, forcing the Southern African Development Community (SADC) to intervene, resulting in the formation of a Government of national unity in February 2009.

Tsvangirai added: “To the youth and the students with whom I conversed, remember you are the real stakeholders of the future. You must shape that future, your own future, by participating in the politics of your country.

“Remember, we agreed that the onus is upon you to register to vote, to vote and make your voice count and to secure and defend that vote. You cannot outsource your future to anyone.”

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