Tsvangirai to contest Zimbabwe presidential run-off

Last Modified: 10 May 2008
By: Channel 4 News

Zimbabwe's opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai has said he will return to the country for the second round of elections, but only if certain conditions are met.

Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) leader Tsvangirai has said he would return to Zimbabwe within two days for the election if international observers and media were given full access, and peacekeepers were sent in to reassure the public.

Tsvangirai has to return to take part in the second round of elections against President Robert Mugabe. Whilst Tsvangirai won the first round, it was not by enough of a margin to avoid a second round.

His planned return comes amid increasing fears of election violence and vote rigging.

However, Zimbabwe's justice minister Patrick Chinamasa has rejected Tsvangirai's pre-conditions, saying they wouldn't be necessary and the election run-off would be held within the current framework.