Zim opposition launches campaign
23/02/2008 11:12  - (SA)  

'Mugabe loss will satisfy West' SA will get Zim poll invite Zim 'old man' should retire

Zimbabwe Special Report  Latest Zimbabwe Stories

Harare - Zimbabwe's main opposition party was set to launch its election campaign on Saturday as it seeks to topple veteran President Robert Mugabe in a general election next month, an official said.

Party spokesperson Nelson Chamisa said the main faction of the Movement for Democratic Change would unveil its party symbol, introduce its candidates and release its party manifesto at a football stadium in the eastern border town of Mutare.

"We are launching the MDC campaign programme to show the nation and the world our readiness to govern," Chamisa told AFP.

He said the party would also parade its candidates for the joint presidential, legislative, senate and local council polls on March 29.

Tsvangirai

MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai is among the candidates taking on Mugabe in a four-horse race which includes former finance minister Simba Makoni, who was confirmed as an independent candidate, and an obscure independent candidate Langton Towungana.

"We are introducing our full set of candidates whom we have named the "New Zimbabwe Team" and unveil our manifesto which spells out what we intend to do as MDC in our first 100 days in office," Chamisa said.

"Thousands of Zimbabweans are expected to throng Sakubva Stadium.

The nation is geared up for a new Zimbabwe. Conditions are far from being free and fair but we have resolved to participate in these elections."

Once a formidable force which posed the stiffest challenge to Mugabe's stranglehold on power, the MDC was torn into two factions following a row over senate elections.

Bid to close ranks failed

A bid to close their ranks and forge a united front against Mugabe flopped three weeks ago over the allocation of constituencies.

The leader of the smaller faction, Arthur Mutambara, said he would back Makoni's bid for presidency.

Meanwhile, in the southern border town of Beitbridge, Mugabe was set to hold a massive birthday party to celebrate turning 84 this week, and is expected to use the opportunity to launch his election campaign.

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