By Xinhua,
Harare : Zimbabwe’s opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai has announced that he will not take part in the presidential run-off against incumbent President Robert Mugabe, local media further confirmed on Sunday.
The announcement came after the opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) failed to hold its star rally in Harare on Sunday for the presidential runoff under unclear circumstances.
Tsvangirai, who is challenging Mugabe of Zanu-PF, was expected to address the rally at Glamis Stadium. The venue was deserted in the afternoon amid unconfirmed reports that the rally had been called off on security grounds, the state media New Ziana said.
Churches services in suburbs near Glamis Stadium were also cancelled as some parishioners feared to expose themselves to crossfire, the news agency said.
However, other media reports revealed that thousands of police in full riot gear and soldiers blockaded the site of the MDC’s main campaign rally.
Tsvangirai was quoted as saying that Mugabe has declared war by saying that the bullet has replaced the ballot and so his party the MDC will not be a part of the June 27 vote.
Speaking only hours after the MDC reported its rally had been broken up, Tsvangirai called on the United Nations and the African Union to intervene.
In the March 29 elections, Tsvangirai won 47 percent of the votes and Mugabe 43. The winner has to garner at least 51 percent to take residence at state house in the capital of Harare.
In a quick response to Tsvangirai’s announcement, the Zimbabwean government, which has repeatedly denied directing violence and intimidation against the opposition, said it will proceed with the June 27 presidential run-off election unless Tsvangirai formally withdraws from the poll in writing.
Zimbabwe Justice Minister Patrick Chinamasa said Tsvangirai must write formally to the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission, advising that he is withdrawing from the race.
“In which event there will be one candidate, meaning there will not be a poll. If he doesn’t, the poll will take place,” he said.
Chinamasa refuted allegations that the ruling party had used violence to force the MDC out of the poll.