Zimbabwe opposition calls for action against Mugabe
HARARE, Mar 18 (Reuters) Zimbabwe opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai today called for a wave of ''mass action'' demonstrations against President Robert Mugabe, saying sustained protests were the only way to overcome government brutality.
Addressing a congress of his Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) called to elect new leaders and fire-up a floundering drive against the government, Tsvangirai said the opposition had survived with ''gracious exuberance'' cruel treatment at the hands of what he called a tyrannical regime.
But he said the opposition must now step up its campaign to win power.
''The options open to us are very clear: we need a short, sharp programme of action to free ourselves,'' he told the crowd.
In a 40-minute speech, punctuated by slogans and applause from his supporters, Tsvangirai said he was ready to lead peaceful protests against Mugabe -- Zimbabwe's sole ruler since 1980.
The MDC was formed in 1999 and has for years been seen as the greatest threat to Mugabe's hold on power, but analysts say a recent split in its ranks over how to tackle Mugabe's ruling ZANU-PF party has weakened the opposition's potency.
In a speech to more than 15,000 delegates of his main MDC faction, Tsvangirai said his group was still a resilient force capable of launching a strong political campaign.
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