Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) founding president Morgan Tsvangirai has dismissed calls by some Zimbabweans for an armed struggle against President Robert Mugabe’s government saying bloodshed is unnecessary in bringing political transformation in the country.
In an interview with VOA Studio 7’s Blessing Zulu, Tsvangirai said Zimbabweans should use constitutional means to remove Mr. Mugabe and his party from power.
“… (It’s) Totally unnecessary … That’s extreme. There is no need for another armed struggle … But the question is: What is the end game? The end game is to pressurize peacefully the regime to realize that it needs to negotiate a political settlement which will take this country forward …”
Some Zimbabweans say police’s brutal attack on local people protesting against President Mugabe’s iron-fist rule and deteriorating social and economic situation has left them with no option but to engage in an armed struggle.
A large number of Zimbabweans contributing to some of VOA Studio 7’s radio programs, digital and social media platforms have been urging others to seriously start thinking of an armed struggle against the ruling Zanu PF government.
Zanu PF came into power following several years of armed conflict against the colonial Ian Smith regime.
They claim that Zanu PF is worse than the Smith government as it is brutalizing the people that brought it into power.