Zimbabwe’s Prime Minister says he is disengaging from the unity government because of the “persecution” of a top aide.
Long-time opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai said on Friday, “We are not really pulling out officially.” He said his party would not attend Cabinet meetings or engage in executive work with President Robert Mugabe’s ZANU-PF party. Mr. Tsvangirai said his Movement for Democratic Change party would continue Parliament activities.
Mr. Tsvangirai says the freeze will continue until the dispute over Roy Bennett’s trial and other issues is resolved. Mr. Bennett is being tried on charges linked to long-discredited allegations that his party plotted Mr. Mugabe’s violent overthrow.
Mr. Tsvangirai and Mr. Mugabe entered the unity government in February.
