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• Zimbabwe held an election on March 29, 2008. Morgan Tsvangirai, leader the Movement for Democratic Change, the opposition party of President Robert Mugabe, won the election. Because of a small margin victory, a runoff election was required.

  Tsvangirai withdrew from the runoff election after threats from Mugabe's supporters and police violence against Tsvangirai's supporters. A power sharing agreement was later reached, resulting in Mugabe remaining president and Tsvangirai becoming the country's prime minister. He was sworn in on February 11, 2009.CNN: Tsvangirai sworn in as Zimbabwe PM (February 11, 2009)

• Fast Facts

  1. Election held on March 29, 2009
  2. Tsvangirai won electionCNN: Tsvangirai sworn in as Zimbabwe PM (February 11, 2009)
  3. Runoff election was required since he won less than 50% of votesCNN: Tsvangirai sworn in as Zimbabwe PM (February 11, 2009)
  4. He pulled out of the runoff election after violence against his supporters, and threats against himCNN: Tsvangirai sworn in as Zimbabwe PM (February 11, 2009)
  5. Power sharing agreement with Mugabe and Tsvangirai resulted in Mugabe remaining president, Tsvangirai becoming prime ministerCNN: Tsvangirai sworn in as Zimbabwe PM (February 11, 2009)
  6. Tsvangirai sworn in on February 11, 2009CNN: Tsvangirai sworn in as Zimbabwe PM (February 11, 2009)
  7. Mugabe has been the president of Zimbabwe since 1980
  8. He has been accused of human rights violations and corruptionThe New York Times: Queen Strips Mugabe of Knighthood (June 26, 2008) BBC News: Zimbabwe awaits day of reckoning (June 24, 2008)

• Opposition victory

  On Monday, March 31, the Movement for Democratic Change claimed a substantial victory. However, on April 1, it was announced by the Mugabe campaign that, while Morgan Tsvangirai had defeated Robert Mugabe, he did not have enough votes for an all out victory. On April 3, it was announced that Mugabe's party lost control of the parliament, the first time this had happened in 28 years since independence. This result was contested, and verified, by a drawn out recount.

• Claims of vote rigging

  Robert Mugabe has been accused of adding ghost voters to the electoral roll. These allegations come after an order was placed for 9 million ballot papers. Zimbabwe has 5.9 million people eligible to vote. Critics also point out that the majority of polling stations were positioned in Mugabe strongholds.

• Arrests and crackdowns

  Following his party's loss in the parliament, Mugabe initiated a series of arrests widely viewed as a crackdown in preparation of reinforcing his rule. The opposition leader Tsvangirai withdrew from the runoff election due to threats and violence against him and his supporters.CNN: Tsvangirai sworn in as Zimbabwe PM (February 11, 2009) When the final count was released, Tsvangirai had won 47.9 percent of the vote, short of the 50 percent required to win an election outright.BBC News: Zimbabwe announces poll results (May 2, 2008)

• Runoff Election

  A runoff election was scheduled for June 27, 2008, however, on June 22, Tsvangirai dropped out of the runoff election, citing threats from Robert Mugabe and fears of widespread violence if he went through with the runoff.The New York Times: Zimbabwe Opposition Leader Pulls Out of Runoff (June 23, 2008) Tsvangirai fled Zimbabwe, citing police attacks against his supporters. Mugabe went through with the runoff election and declared himself the winner.CNN: Tsvangirai sworn in as Zimbabwe PM (February 11, 2009)

• Mugabe and Tsvangirai Deal

  After of months of negotiations headed by South African President Thabo Mbeki, Mugabe signed a power deal with opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai on September 15, 2008, The deal created a new position of Prime Minister, and would allow Mugabe to continue leading Zimbabwe as president, naming Tsvangirai prime minister and another opposition leader, Arthur Mutambara, deputy prime minister. The deal was a compromise after months of controversy surrounding the fraudulent election.USA Today: Zimbabwe...Mugabe will cede some power (September 15, 2008)

• Related Mahalo Pages

  Zimbabwe Runoff Election 2008 | Zimbabwe | Robert Mugabe | Simba Makoni | Ian Smith | Morgan Tsvangirai | Movement for Democratic Change | Barry Bearak

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