History Movement_for_Democratic_Change_–_Tsvangirai

1 history

1.1 foundation
1.2 developments in 2007
1.3 political negotiations
1.4 sadc facilitated government power-sharing agreement
1.5 2014 suspension of tsvangirai , other leaders

history
foundation

the movement democratic change founded in 1999 opposition party zimbabwe african national union – patriotic front (zanu-pf) party led president robert mugabe. mdc formed members of broad coalition of civic society groups , individuals campaigned no vote in 2000 constitutional referendum, in particular zimbabwe congress of trade unions. party split following 2005 senate election, main faction headed founder leader morgan tsvangirai , other formation headed arthur mutambara. @ morgan tsvangirai-led 2006 congress, thokozani khuphe elected vice-president replacing gibson sibanda part of mdc-m.

the 2 factions subsequently won combined majority in march 2008 parliamentary election.

developments in 2007

on 3 august 2007 reported 2 officials of smaller arthur mutambara-led mdc formation had defected main tsvangirai-led movement democratic change zimbabwe formation, week after talks reunite 2 parties had broken down. @ media briefing, former member of parliament silas mangono , masvingo province chairman shaky matake announced had defected mutambara-led formation.

an opinion poll on 27 september 2007 mass public opinion institute of zimbabwe found of 22% of poll respondents supporters of mdc, 21% backed main mdc formation led tsvangirai , 1% expressed support smaller mutambara s faction.

the poll takers acknowledged survey conducted in rural areas, traditionally zanu-pf stronghold, because majority of population lives there. polled 1,202 of eligible voters.

political negotiations

the southern african development community (sadc) mandated south african president thabo mbeki mediate between zanu-pf , mdc in april 2007 create conditions free , fair elections 2008 polls. mbeki appointed sydney mufamadi, south africa s minister of provincial , local government, , director-general in presidency, frank chikane, main mediators in talks. parties agreed refrain commenting on progress of talks in media. due media silence, relatively difficult judge progress of these talks, both parties have agreed constitutional amendments , revision of key media , security laws. mdc faction led morgan tsvangirai threatened pull out of talks if conditions not created in free , fair elections can take place.

in july , august 2008, mdc , zanu-pf entered negotiations settle electoral disputes , reach compromise. talks both mediated south african president, thabo mbeki.

sadc facilitated government power-sharing agreement

on 15 september 2008, leaders of 14-member southern african development community witnessed signing of power-sharing agreement, brokered mbeki. @ rainbow towers hotel in harare, mugabe , tsvangirai signed deal resolve crisis. according deal, mugabe remain president, tsvangirai become prime minister, mdc control police, mugabe s zanu (pf) party command army, , mutambara become deputy prime minister. tendai biti confirmed finance minister in gnu , sworn in on wednesday 11 november 2009.

2014 suspension of tsvangirai , other leaders

after months of in-fighting following tsvangirai s 2013 presidential bid, suspended members of mdc remarkable failure of leadership, during meeting of national council. tsvangirai accused of creating divisive atmosphere within party. 6 other leaders suspended @ same time, furthering political split within mdc. douglas mwonzora, spokesperson party , 1 of suspended leaders, accused former finance minister , mdc general secretary tendai biti of helping mugabe oust tsvangirai.