Opposition gives ultimatum for change

The opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) has given the Zimbabwean government until 31 March to meet a list of demands or "face popular mass action to regain the people's liberties, freedoms and dignity".

Seemingly buoyed by the success of a two-day stay-away that it orchestrated this week, the MDC has now called on the government of President Robert Mugabe to release "all political prisoners, those arrested for exercising their constitutional right to demonstrate against violence, torture and general misrule".

"The events of the last two days are simply the beginning of the march towards freedom. In this regard, we demand that the Mugabe regime immediately embarks upon a programme to dismantle the basis of its tyranny," the MDC said in a statement on Thursday.

Some of the MDC demands were that the government stop "all state-sponsored violence against the people, including torture of suspects in police custody"; "depoliticise" food aid distribution; and halt the alleged persecution of NGOs and church leaders, restore civil liberties and respect human rights.

The opposition also called for the repeal of recent legislation restricting freedom of speech, movement and association.

The government should disband "all militia groups" and ensure war veterans played a "non-political role", the statement said.

"We give notice to the regime that the people's patience has run out and no amount of state sponsored violence can keep them in perpetual bondage," the MDC added.

Government spokesmen in the department of information were on Thursday unable to give IRIN comment on the MDC's ultimatum.