Ex-ally to challenge Mugabe
2008-02-05 18:48
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Zimbabwe's president Robert Mugabe has taken a swipe on US' Johnnie Carson, calling him "an idiot" following an exchange between the two in Libya.
Harare - A senior member of Zimbabwe's
ruling Zanu-PF party, Simba Makoni, said on Tuesday he would run for president in the March 29 election, in the first major
internal challenge to Robert Mugabe in 20 years.
Makoni said he had decided to run after consultations with
party members and activists across Zimbabwe. Despite economic
turmoil, 83-year-old Mugabe had been expected to win the
election against a weak and divided opposition.
Makoni will run as an independent because, according to
Zanu-PF rules, he will be automatically expelled from the party.
"This is a major political development in that it confirms the fractures within Zanu-PF and that it will enter this election divided," said political commentator Eldred
Masunungure.
The former finance minister said he and an "overwhelming majority" of Zanu-PF members were disappointed that a congress in December had failed to change the party's leadership.
"I have accepted the call and hereby advise the people of Zimbabwe that I offer myself as a candidate for the office of
President of Zimbabwe in the forthcoming elections," Makoni, who turns 58 on March 26, told a news conference.
Speculation has been rife that some party stalwarts might
launch a breakaway party to field a candidate at the election.
Makoni said he was backed by several Zanu-PF officials,
whose names would be revealed in the next week when he launched
his election manifesto.
Simba is not alone
Zimbabwe's private press have reported Makoni was backed by a faction led by retired army general and Zanu-PF politburo member Solomon Mujuru, husband of Vice President Joyce Mujuru.
"I know I will not be in this campaign alone, there will be many of us, a great many of us in this campaign," Makoni said.
Makoni said he met Mugabe last week and discussed reports he
planned to lead a breakaway faction. He did not elaborate.
There was no immediate comment from Zanu-PF.
Makoni, who is regarded as a reform-minded technocrat, has for years been touted as a possible successor to Mugabe. But his critics say he is a political lightweight who does not have the stamina to fight one of Africa's most combative leaders.
Mugabe, who turns 84 later this month, has managed to stifle
internal challenges by punishing opponents and rewarding
supporters through an elaborate patronage system, the
president's critics say.
Mugabe, in power since independence from Britain in 1980, is
seeking another five-year term and has vowed to achieve a
landslide victory to silence the opposition and shame Western
foes he says are sponsoring rivals to oust him.
Analysts say shortages of food, foreign currency, fuel and
and the world's highest inflation rate officially pegged at
26 000% present the biggest challenge to Mugabe's rule.
The opposition has failed to capitalise on his failure to
rescue the economy and it remains to be seen whether daily
hardships will push Zimbabweans to support Makoni.
In 2000, when Makoni became finance minister, he pledged
tighter fiscal discipline to restore relations with foreign
donors in a package to revive Zimbabwe's economy.
- Reuters