Zimbabwe's veteran Opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai has been elected for a fresh tenure to lead his splintered party, which has posed the most serious challenge to President Robert Mugabe's long rule. "The president has been nominated unopposed," declared Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) national chairman Isaac Matongo after a two-day convention in the capital attended by thousands of supporters. Mr Tsvangirai closed the convention, lamenting deteriorating standards of living among the majority of Zimbabweans and pledging to "lead from the front" in protests against Mugabe's nearly 26 year rule. "I promise to use all available resources and will power to see off the tyranny in Zimbabwe today," Mr Tsvangirai said. "We must resolve this national crisis," he said. "The dictator must brace himself for a long, bustling winter across the country."
He did not say in what form and when the protests would take place but urged Zimbabweans to stock up provisions in anticipation of the protests. Opening the two-day congress on Saturday, Mr Tsvangirai urged Zimbabweans to brace for a series of "peaceful, democratic resistance" protests against President Mugabe's nearly 26-year rule.