Zimbabwes Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai has said his MDC party has “disengaged” from the unity government over the treatment of his senior aide, MDC member Roy Bennett, who was released on bail after two days in prison, BBC online reports Friday.
Tsvagirai said all outstanding issues of a power-sharing deal had to be dealt with before the MDC would work with Zanu-PF, President Robert Mugabes party.
Mr. Mugabe and Mr Tsvangirai agreed to share power in February after disputed elections last year marred by violence. But since then their parties have failed to agree on appointees for provincial governors, the central bank governor and the attorney general.
The Movement for Democratic Change also accuses Zanu-PF of persecuting its legislators and activists and of beginning to set up militia bases in the countryside, as well as militarising state institutions ahead of future elections.
Mr Tsvangirai said the MDC was not yet pulling out of the coalition government and was open to talks to break the impasse. But the prime minister said the MDC was officially pulling out of cabinet and council of ministers meetings as well as routine Monday meetings between the leaders of the three parties in the national unity government. MDC ministers will however continue to hold their positions – and try to exercise their powers.
Mr Bennett, who has been nominated as deputy minister for agriculture, is due to stand trial on 19 October on charges of terrorism, insurgency, sabotage and banditry. If convicted he could face a life sentence in jail.
