Mugabe Ready for War, Says Opponent

Opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai says he already won Zimbabwe’s presidential election, and the proposed run-off is part of President Robert Mugabe’s “war against the people.” “Violence will be the new weapon to reverse the people’s will,” he said. Armed guards blocked opposition lawyers from entering the high court building today, preventing them for suing for long-delayed election results.

Riot police roamed the streets yesterday, brandishing truck-mounted water cannons. Diplomats think Mugabe may delay a runoff for 90 days. Official results still haven’t been released, though Mugabe’s party admits it has lost. But Tsvangirai, they maintain, did not win by more than 50%, making a run-off necessary. They also announced plans to “purge” the election commission of alleged Tsvangirai loyalists. (More Zimbabwe elections stories.)