Makoni launches new party

2009-07-01 22:15

Harare - Zimbabwe's former finance minister Simba Makoni on Wednesday launched a new opposition party that promises to "clean up" the country's political landscape.

Mavambo Kusile Dawn (MKD), meaning "The Beginning of a New Dawn" in Shona, was launched at a low-key event in Mbare township southwest of Harare.

"We are launching this party on a mission to clean up the politics of Zimbabwe," Makoni, who is the party's interim leader, told a group of supporters.

"We will support and assist the inclusive government; we have resources at our disposal so that Zimbabwe can get working again," said Makoni.

Differences

Makoni in 2001 publicly admitted that Zimbabwe's economy was in a state of crisis as poverty was spreading at an alarming rate.

The following year he quit his position as finance minister, citing policy differences with President Robert Mugabe.

The 59-year-old Makoni has been denounced by Mugabe as a "prostitute" of the West and a "bloated frog" following his resignation from the Zimbabwe African National Union - Patriotic Front (Zanu-PF) in 2008.

He then wanted to contest the controversial March 2008 presidential election as an independent candidate.

He came third behind Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) leader Morgan Tsvangirai and Mugabe.

Improve

Zimbabwe was forced into a June run-off plagued by political violence and Tsvangirai pulled out of the race.

The party's policies aim to guarantee the rights of citizens in the country, decentralise government operations and improve the quality of life for all.

Makoni has escaped accusations of corruption which have plagued most of Mugabe's inner circle over the last decade.

- SAPA