The Insider

Movement for Democratic Change faction leader Arthur Mutambara who had promised to work with his rival Morgan Tsvangirai was in talks with Ibbo Mandaza, the mastermind of Simba Makoni’s presidential candidacy, days after the collapse of the MDC talks.

(58 VIEWS)

Movement for Democratic Change secretary-general Tendai Biti told United States embassy officials that South African President Thabo Mbeki, who was the facilitator of the Zimbabwe talks, was “full of b.s” after the South African leader had suggested that the leaders of the MDC, Morgan Tsvangirai and Arthur Mutambara, should meet President Robert Mugabe directly to resolve the Zimbabwean crisis.

(90 VIEWS)

A public opinion poll, three weeks before the 2008 elections, showed that the Movement for Democratic Change was rapidly gaining support with its leader Morgan Tsvangirai pipping President Robert Mugabe and the general feeling was that people were yearning for change because they believed that ZANU-PF could no longer turn around the country’s economy.

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Exiled businessman Strive Masiyiwa told United States embassy officials that the support for Makoni from Zimbabwe African National Union- Patriotic Front strongman Solomon Mujuru- and even the military- meant little unless they came out publicly.

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Zimbabwe should not borrow money from the International Monetary Fund or the World Bank because this will not bring about economic recovery but will sink the country deeper into debt.

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The Mutambara faction of the Movement for Democratic Change was nothing more than a splinter group with limited support but its 5 to 10 percent of the total votes would be critical in the presidential elections.

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Former United States ambassador to Zimbabwe Christopher Dell said Movement for Democratic Change leader Arthur Mutambara was smart as a whip but in many respects he was a light weight who spent too much time reading US campaign messaging manuals and too little thinking about real issues.

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The United States embassy in Harare said it was planning not only to attend the funeral service of a slain Movement for Democratic Change activist Gift Tandare but it was also going to monitor government actions elsewhere in Harare.

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Movement for Democratic Change pro-senate leader Arthur Mutambara was arrested as he attempted to leave the country to visit his family in Johannesburg.

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Retired general Solomon Mujuru, who was touted as a kingmaker, preferred Dumiso Dabengwa to challenge President Robert Mugabe over Simba Makoni according to former journalist Sydney Masamvu.

(103 VIEWS)