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| Zimbabwean opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai has quit the presidential race, nearly three months after besting the long-reigning Robert Mugabe in first-round voting. Calling the electoral process a "violent sham," Tsvangirai withdrew from this Friday's runoff poll. Since securing 47% of the vote against Mugabe's 43%, Tsvangirai has received numerous death threats and is now in hiding. Meanwhile, 85 opposition supporters have died, and hundreds of others have been beaten or tortured. Although it once appeared that Mugabe was willing to step aside, the escalation of violence in recent weeks makes it clear that the octogenarian ruler will not budge. Meanwhile, some African leaders — along with the United Nations — have stepped up calls for an immediate intervention. (ED) |
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