In Harare on Sunday, Zimbabwean opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai announced his decision to withdraw from the upcoming run-off election against President Robert Mugabe. Tsvangirai cited the ongoing violence in the country as a barrier to a free and fair election. Following reports of his party's rally being disrupted by pro-Mugabe militia, Tsvangirai called for intervention from the United Nations and African Union to prevent what he described as "genocide." He stated that the Movement for Democratic Change would no longer participate in what he deemed a violent and illegitimate electoral process. Accusations of intimidation and manipulation by government forces to ensure Mugabe's victory have been repeatedly made by Tsvangirai and the MDC, who have also alleged a state-sponsored scheme to maintain Mugabe's hold on power. Tsvangirai, a member of the MDC, expressed concern about asking voters to risk their lives by casting their vote on June 27. He mentioned that he had been detained by police multiple times while campaigning and highlighted the violence faced by MDC supporters, with 86 killed and 200,000 displaced. Mugabe, who has been in power since 1980, has refused to hand over power to the opposition, whom he accuses of being influenced by Britain and the United States. Despite the opposition being blamed for political violence, Mugabe denies any involvement of security forces in brutal actions and has overseen a decline in the country's economy. Millions of people have escaped the political and economic crisis by moving to neighboring countries. The MDC reported that thousands of young militia members loyal to Mugabe disrupted an MDC rally in Harare by attacking journalists and causing election observers to flee. Despite the police initially banning the rally, a high court in Harare overturned the ban on Saturday. Tsvangirai claims he won the March vote and only agreed to a run-off under international pressure. The opposition's political ads have been rejected by state-run media and some rallies have been blocked by police. Tendai Biti, a high-ranking member of the MDC party and close associate of Tsvangirai, is currently in custody facing charges of treason and other offenses that could result in the death penalty. A magistrate has ruled that he must remain in custody until at least July 7. Pressure is mounting on Mugabe's government to stop the violence, with an increasing number of African leaders expressing concerns that the upcoming election may not be legitimate. Angolan President Jose Eduardo dos Santos, a longtime ally of Mugabe, has urged the Zimbabwean leader to ensure that the election is conducted in a fair and democratic manner.