Zimbabwean opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai announced on Sunday that he would no longer participate in the run-off election against President Robert Mugabe due to the violence and lack of fairness in the current political climate. Tsvangirai called for international intervention to prevent what he described as "genocide" in Zimbabwe, accusing the government of using intimidation tactics to ensure Mugabe's victory in the upcoming poll. Tsvangirai, a member of the MDC, expressed concern about asking voters to participate in the June 27 election due to the potential danger it could pose to their lives. He mentioned that 86 MDC supporters had been killed and 200,000 displaced from their homes. Mugabe, who has been in power since 1980, has accused the opposition of being puppets of Britain and the United States and denies responsibility for the violence that has occurred. Mugabe's leadership has led to a decline in Zimbabwe's once prosperous economy. Millions of people have left their homes due to the political and economic crisis, seeking refuge in neighboring countries. The MDC reported that thousands of Mugabe loyalists, armed with weapons, disrupted an MDC rally in Harare by attacking journalists and driving election observers away. Despite the police initially banning the rally, the high court in Harare overturned the ban. Tsvangirai, under pressure from the international community, reluctantly agreed to a run-off election after claiming victory in the March vote. The state-run media has refused to air opposition political advertisements and police have obstructed some of their rallies. Tendai Biti, a high-ranking MDC official and close associate of Tsvangirai, is currently being detained on charges of treason and other serious offenses that could result in the death penalty. A magistrate has ruled that he must remain in custody until at least July 7. Despite this, there is mounting pressure on Mugabe's government to halt the violence. Several African leaders are now expressing concerns that the upcoming election may not be fair. Angolan President Jose Eduardo dos Santos, a longtime supporter of Mugabe, recently urged the Zimbabwean leader to ensure that the election is conducted with tolerance and in line with democratic principles.