Clik here to view.
Rare show of unity by opposition parties could raise prospect of grand coalition to take on Robert Mugabe
Zimbabwe's fragmented opposition to president Robert Mugabe has joined forces to reject a court ruling that elections must be held by the end of next month.
The rare show of unity by parties including the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) could raise the prospect of a grand coalition to take on Mugabe's Zanu-PF party at the polls.
Zimbabwe's constitutional court last week ordered that elections should take place by the end of July, a decision that suits Mugabe better than his rivals.
But on Wednesday five parties – the MDC, led by the prime minister Morgan Tsvangirai, a breakaway MDC under Welshman Ncube, Mavambo/Kusile/Dawn led by former government minister Simba Makoni, Zapu and Zanu Ndonga – "expressed reservations about the practicality" of the deadline with many crucial reforms still outstanding.
The leaders complained that there was not enough time for proper voter registration. Justice Rita Makarau, the head of the Zimbabwe electoral commission, was this week quoted by the NewsDay newspaper as saying "the voters' roll is in shambles".
The parties also want changes to laws they believe inhibit freedom of association, movement, expression and the media. They have called for the security sector to be reformed in line with the new constitution, which demands neutrality.
A report this week by Human Rights Watch warned that, as in past elections, the security forces remain loyal to Mugabe and Zanu-PF. It said its investigations found that the Zimbabwean army deployed soldiers across the country, intimidating, beating, and abusing perceived supporters of the MDC or those critical of the government.
"With the security forces right up to the top leaders threatening and attacking Mugabe's perceived opponents, Zimbabweans have little faith in the upcoming elections," said Tiseke Kasambala, Africa advocacy director at the watchdog.
The constitutional court's ruling last week came in response to a case brought by a journalist and democracy activist, Jealousy Mawarire. After meeting in Harare, the five leaders said the court's action "ironically supposedly informed by the desire to safeguard the rights of the individual applicant, has resulted in the infringement of the rights of millions of Zimbabweans".
They said they would appeal to the Southern African Development Community, the regional body consisting of 15 southern African countries, to ensure the election roadmap is followed. A special summit is due to be held in Mozambique on Sunday.
A unified opposition might pose a serious challenge to Mugabe's 33-year rule. The rupture within the MDC has dented its image and raised fears of splitting the anti-Mugabe vote. The revived Zapu has been seen by some as a potential threat to Tsvangirai in Matebeleland and Midlands provinces.
