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Simba Makoni Vying For Zimbabwe Presidency

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By Chikumbu Chouriri, on February 07 2008 11:56

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Former Zimbabwe Finance minister Dr Simba Makoni has broken with the ranks of the ruling Zanu PF party and thrown his hat into the presidential race.

Simba Makoni Running For Presidency Against Robert Mugabe

Addressing a press conference in the capital Tuesday, Makoni said he will run as an independent because, according to Zanu PF rules, as doing otherwise would see him being automatically expelled from the ruling party.

"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.

Makoni’s move – the first ever challenge to President Robert Mugabe’s long reign - is the first ever indication that all is not well in the ruling Zanu PF party, which has for long denied there are fractures among its ranks.

Zimbabwe goes to the polls on March 29 in a poll which will see parliamentary, local government, senatorial and the big one – the presidency – up for the taking.

Makoni - who is regarded as a reform-minded technocrat - has in the past month been a victim of rumours that he would be entering the race to challenge Zimbabwe’s 83 year old Robert Mugabe, who has been president of the country since independent from Britain in 1980. Mugabe turns 84 on February 14.

Mugabe’s long reign has seen the country sink from being the break-basket of the region to a basket case, which now roams the continent and international shores with a food begging bowl in hand.

The independent press has been writing that some party stalwarts would launch a rival party to challenge Mugabe, 83, who is accused by critics of wrecking the southern African country's once promising economy.

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.

For years, Makoni -- who is regarded as a reform-minded technocrat -- has been touted as a possible successor to Mugabe. His critics say he is a political lightweight who does not have the stamina to fight one of Africa's most combative leaders.

Analysts say shortages of food, foreign currency, fuel and the world's highest inflation rate officially pegged at 26,000 percent present the biggest challenge to Mugabe's rule.

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Mugarbage in, Mugarbage out

By: Dawn (Guest) on March 23 2008 01:13

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Mugarbage in, Mugarbage out

By: Dawn (Guest ) on March 23 2008 01:13

29 March the people will decide that they are done suffering.

Simba kuVanhu!

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Sovereignty

By: busy kid (Guest) on March 01 2008 22:21

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Sovereignty

By: busy kid (Guest ) on March 01 2008 22:21

In as much as we need our sovereignty as a country, i strongly feel that there is not family that can go it alone. we need friends and if we work together with friends from other nations we can pull through. in as far as things stand right now Zimbabwe can never resuscitate the economy under the present government and policies, we just have to swallow our pride and seek dialog with the developed countries to bring in the much needed direct foreign investment and that we can only achieve through a government of people who have foresight and focus and that can be Makoni Nkosana Moyo and his crew

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Opportunist

By: chandisaita chadoka (Guest) on February 28 2008 18:20

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Opportunist

By: chandisaita chadoka (Guest ) on February 28 2008 18:20

Well it is true that we need a change, but we should not let people like Makoni to wind the clock back. Zimbabwe has already moved on in economical as well as politically. Which country in Africa detects its own economic structure...are all not pupperts dancing to the tune of the piper. Makoni is an opportunist who indeed will give back the country in the hands of the whiteman. Zimbabwe does not need the whiteman's help in order to realise our dreams...Which country in Africa has sustained its economy through acquiring foreign curency by selling its minerals. The people should be remainded wh

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Mutambara

By: Talibu (Guest) on February 12 2008 17:05

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Mutambara

By: Talibu (Guest ) on February 12 2008 17:05

How can Arthur say he is stepping down to give way to someone who says he is still a ZANU-PF cadre. How do you accommodate someone who tells you that he belongs to ZANU PF but would like to contest presidency in the party that opposes MDC-Mutambara. This faction of MDC has proved to be less imaginative. I thought Mutambara had the grey matter to asses things before acting.
Well bye-bye change to Zimbabwe long live suffering

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Leaving Zimbabwe

By: Bad News Brown (Guest) on February 12 2008 13:59

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Leaving Zimbabwe

By: Bad News Brown (Guest ) on February 12 2008 13:59

This time i am going to vote.
If Mugabe wins, i am leaving Zimbabwe, because the Zim is going into a big black hole.

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