Morgan Tsvangirai Agrees to Run-Off with Robert Mugabe in Zimbabwe Presidential Election

It appears likely that the drawn-out presidential election in Zimbabwe will be headed towards a run-off as opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai has backed away from his earlier pledge and will now go head-to-head with current president Robert Mugabe.

Tsvangirai has expressed frustration with the presidential election, claiming that he had won the post outright yet officials have said the Movement for Democratic Change leader did not secure a majority of the votes, automatically sending the election to a run-off.

Zimbabwe headed to the polls March 29 but the results weren’t announced until earlier this month. Tsvangirai has claimed that Mugabe influenced the results and is now planning a course of action that will intimidate opposition support and lead to yet another term in office.

Mugabe has held the presidency since Zimbabwe won its independence from British rule in 1980.

Despite his pledge to not take part in a run-off Tsvangirai noted that his supporters would have felt “betrayed” had he not agreed to face Mugabe.

There has been no date set for the second round of the election but Tsvangirai has said it should take place within three weeks of the May 2 presidential election announcement.

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