HARARE, Zimbabwe, Dec. 28 (UPI) -- Opposition officials in Zimbabwe say the government has given into the demands of their party leader, Morgan Tsvangirai, for a new passport.
Tsvangirai's Movement for Democratic Change party confirmed to CNN Sunday that the travel documents had been issued, which will allow the opposition leader to return to Zimbabwe from neighboring Botswana.
"He now has the document after a long struggle," said an MDC official.
Tsvangirai's passport had been a bone of contention between the MDC and the government of strongman Robert Mugabi. The two sides had signed a so-called unity deal in September following a contested election; however, the MDC had threatened to pull out unless Tsvangirai was issued a passport allowing him to return home.
CNN said the two sides remained at loggerheads Sunday over MDC demands that 31 opposition members, as well as a 2-year-old child, be released from jail. A Zimbabwean court ordered their release last week, but the government has challenged the ruling.
