Wishing the Zimbabwean people a Merry Christmas, Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai Friday urged unity as the key to renewed prosperity in 2010.
Mr. Tsvangirai called for a peaceful political transition within the framework of the Global Political Agreement which he signed in September 2008 along with President Robert Mugabe and Deputy Prime Minister Arthur Mutambara, and respect for the rule of law. But the prime minister added that some individuals continue to seek to block full implementation of the GPA.
"As Zimbabweans, each one of us has a role to play in building this future by abiding by the rule of law, shunning corruption and embracing the concept of peaceful transition within the framework laid out in the GPA," Mr. Tsvangirai said in a statement published on the prime ministerial Web site.
He said the power-sharing government formed in February by his former opposition Movement for Democratic Change formation and Mr. Mugabe's long-ruling ZANU-PF party, with the smaller Mutambara MDC grouping, had effected positive change. He promised it will do more in the coming year.
"In 2010, government will shift its focus from stabilization to consolidation, despite the fact that this administration has within its ranks individuals determined to frustrate the progress to which we are committed," he said.
Bulawayo-based political analyst Samukele Hadebe told VOA Studio 7 reporter Ntungamili Nkomo that Zimbabweans must heed Mr. Tsvangirai’s message of reconciliation if the country is to progress further.