MDC-T, Western donors cross swords

RELATIONS between MDC-T and its erstwhile international partners from the West seem to have taken a nosedive since last week with the two parties publicly denouncing each other following a fall-out over violence and calls for leadership renewal in the opposition party.

MDC-T leader Morgan Tsvangirai fired the first salvo last weekend when he ordered diplomats supporting the leadership renewal calls to back off, saying change of leadership within the party was the prerogative of its grassroot structures.

Tsvangirai accused the diplomats of fuelling divisions in his party.

"We have our friends out there. We are surprised by people who say we want that one to lead the party. Is that the work of diplomats?" Tsvangirai asked rhetorically.

"Why can't you just write and send to your countries? We want to tell the diplomats that we are united as a party. What you can do is to help the people of Zimbabwe to have democratic change. Money is dangerous. It's time for Zimbabweans to underwrite their own struggle and not rely on donors. If you are proud people, underwrite your own struggle. Contribute 50 cents or a dollar like you do in church," the former Premier said in apparent reference to the two Western countries who are believed to have bankrolled and hand-held the MDC-T since its formation in 1999.

As if to confirm the fallout, the United States and Australian embassies on Monday issued separate statements denouncing the violent incidents involving the MDC-T over the past few weeks.

The Canadian Embassy yesterday issued a similar statement, calling on party leaders to tolerate dissenting voices within their structures.

Although the statements did not explicitly name the MDC-T, analysts said it was clear they were aimed at Tsvangirai's party since it was the only one involved in violent clashes over the past few weeks.

The Australian embassy wrote: "We urge all Zimbabwe's political parties to fully respect - within their parties and the nation - the rule of law, right to free speech, freedom of assembly and other democratic freedoms which need to be at the heart of the Zimbabwean political discourse."

The US embassy said: "We condemn such acts of violence, which have no place in modern political discourse. We enjoin all parties to respect the rule of law, freedom of assembly and the right to free speech, which should be the hallmarks of a modern, democratic Zimbabwe."

Said Canada's Ambassador to Zimbabwe Lisa Stadelbauer: "Canada is increasingly concerned by recent acts of violence against political figures in Zimbabwe.

"We call on all political parties to demonstrate leadership by taking resolute actions to speak out against violence and intimidation. This includes engaging in open dialogue and demonstrating respect for diversity of views.

"All Zimbabweans, including politicians and members of civil society have the fundamental right to freedom of expression as guaranteed by the Constitution.

"Canada calls for these rights to be respected and adhered to. We will continue to closely monitor the situation."

The statements come hard on the heels of the assault of MDC-T deputy treasurer-general Elton Mangoma and youth secretary-general Promise Mkwananzi by youths believed to be sympathetic to Tsvangirai.

The attack came after Mangoma wrote to Tsvangirai imploring him to step down and allow for change of leadership within the MDC-T. The censure by the embassies comes amid reports that the West had lost faith in Tsvangirai after he failed to dislodge President Robert Mugabe in three successive elections.

Tsvangirai's spokesperson Luke Tamborinyoka yesterday said he would not comment on what his boss said over the weekend.

"There is no rift. I don't want to add or subtract on what the president said and I think he said enough at that rally. Everyone has denounced violence including the president and there is a committee set up to deal with the violence," he said.

Political analyst Alexander Rusero said: "It's an indicator that the balance of power and influence in the MDC-T has shifted. If you look at the sentiments by embassies, they are concerned because they tried to portray it as an alternative to Zanu PF."

Independent social and economic justice activist Hopewell Gumbo, however, said donors should not try to use their resources to influence internal MDC-T discourse.

"This process will require resources and any serious sympathisers to the MDC-T cause, be they local or external, must do so without abusing resource control to influence the progressive agenda of the party as this may only serve to perpetuate the current state of the dictatorship," he said.