Mugabe calls for coalition unity in election

Zimbabwe’s president Robert Mugabe has urged MPs in the troubled coalition government to preach messages of peace ahead of proposed elections – and after years of violence that rights groups blame on Mr Mugabe and his security forces.

By The Newsroom

Published 7th Sep 2011, 00:57 BST

“Let’s in unison say no to violence in all its manifestations,” Mr Mugabe said as he opened a new session of parliament in Harare yesterday.

Last week he called polls in March, after calling frequently in recent weeks for an end to the fragile coalition that was formed after disputed 2008 elections.

He said coalition partners have agreed on “timelines” to polling but did not elaborate.

Mr Mugabe, 87, called on the nation’s leaders to preach messages of peace, reconciliation and national healing after a decade of bitter rivalry between prime minister Morgan Tsvangirai’s Movement for Democratic Change party and the Zanu-PF party under his authoritarian control.

“Rather than amplify our differences, let’s find strength in our diversity,” he said.

Zimbabwe MPs