Mugabe opponent enters fray

Tsvangirai urged supporters to brave election violence

Zimbabwe opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai has launched his presidential election campaign with a call to oust President Robert Mugabe and return the country to the rule of law.

Mr Tsvangirai, who heads the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC), was greeted with thunderous cheers at his first rally since entering the race, in the eastern border town of Mutare.

There is anarchy in our country, it will be finished on 11 March if you choose me

Morgan Tsvangirai

Police had set up roadblocks outside the town and conducted document checks on MDC supporters on their way to the rally. Some were turned away.

The rally came as international election observers prepared to enter Zimbabwe, amid optimism that Mr Mugabe would meet a European Union deadline for allowing its representatives into the country.

The EU has promised to impose sanctions on leading officials of the ruling Zanu-PF party on Wednesday if the Sunday deadline is not met.

No revenge

Mr Tsvangirai warned his supporters that Zanu-PF would try to rig the election and called on them to turn out in large numbers.

Mugabe launched his campaign on Saturday

"There is anarchy in our country," he said. "It will be finished on 11 March if you choose me."

At the same time, he warned against a campaign of revenge on Zanu-PF if he was elected and pledged to set up a government of national unity.

"We ask you to brave Zanu-PF's campaign of violence," he said.

Mr Tsvangirai also promised more orderly land reform than exists under Mr Mugabe's controversial redistribution programme.

"We want a land reform programme that benefits the whole country, that recognises that farming is a commercial venture and not just about pieces of land for peasants," he said.

Rise in violence

Mr Mugabe launched his campaign on Saturday, for what are likely to be the most fiercely contested elections since the country's independence in 1980.

Human rights groups have reported a sharp increase in political violence in recent weeks.

Domestic and international critics say a raft of recent legislation curbing civil liberties - including a stringent new media bill passed during the week - is indicative of President Mugabe's determination to stay in power whatever the cost.