Morgan Tsvangirai and Raila Odinga in a past campaign. The veteran opposition leaders are pushing for electoral reforms in their respective countries. [Photo|Nation]
Morgan Tsvangirai, a close associate of Kenya's opposition leader Raila Odinga and a former Prime Minister in the military seized Zimbabwe wants embattled President Robert Mugabe to resign immediately, reports the BBC.
Already, military officials are said to be in talks with the veteran leader persuading him to resign voluntarily to allow the formation of a transitional government, an idea that Mugabe has resisted.
"He is refusing to step down. I think he is trying to buy time," a source close to the army told AFP news agency.
Military boss Gen. Constantino Chiwenga had stepped in following escalating feud within the ruling party ZANU-PF that saw VP Emerson Mnangagwa sacked by Mugabe.
But Tsvangirai, a long time opposition leader now wants Mugabe to step down unconditionally and to allow the formation of a new government.
"For the interest of people, Mugabe must resign immediately. A negotiated all-inclusive government that would lead to comprehensive reforms should be constituted," he said.
Both Odinga and Tsvangirai are known for giving establishments a headache and at one point, they served as Prime Ministers in their respective countries.
Just like Odinga, Tsvangirai, who has been under cancer treatment abroad, are pushing for key electoral reforms.