In Harare on Sunday, Zimbabwean opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai announced his withdrawal from the run-off election against President Robert Mugabe, citing the impossibility of a free and fair poll due to the current climate of violence. Following reports of his party's rally being disrupted by pro-Mugabe youth militia, Tsvangirai called on the United Nations and the African Union to intervene and prevent "genocide" in the country. He stated that the Movement for Democratic Change had decided not to participate in the violent and illegitimate election process. Tsvangirai and the MDC have accused government security forces and militia of intimidation in order to secure a Mugabe victory in the upcoming poll. Tsvangirai reiterated his belief that there is a state-sponsored effort to keep Mugabe in power. Tsvangirai from the MDC expressed concern about the safety of voters on June 27, stating that asking them to vote could put their lives at risk. He mentioned that he himself had been detained by police multiple times while campaigning, and that 86 MDC supporters had been killed while 200,000 had been displaced. Mugabe, who has been in power since 1980, has refused to hand over power to the opposition, accusing them of being puppets of Britain and the United States. He denies that security forces are responsible for the violence, blaming it instead on the opposition. Mugabe's leadership has led to a severe decline in the country's once prosperous economy. Millions of people have left their country due to the political and economic crisis and sought refuge in neighboring states. The MDC reported that a large group of youth militia supporting Mugabe disrupted their rally in Harare by attacking journalists and intimidating election observers with weapons. Despite the police initially banning the rally, the high court overturned the decision. Tsvangirai, who claimed victory in the March election, reluctantly agreed to a run-off. The opposition has faced challenges such as the state-run media refusing to air their political advertisements and police blocking their rallies. Tendai Biti, a high-ranking MDC official and close aide to Tsvangirai, is currently detained on 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. There is increasing pressure on Mugabe's government to stop the violence, with a growing number of African leaders expressing concerns about the legitimacy of the upcoming election. Angolan President Jose Eduardo dos Santos, a longtime ally of Mugabe, has called on the Zimbabwean leader to allow the election to proceed peacefully and in accordance with democratic principles.