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Zanu PF warned over extending Mugabe term
Foster Dongozi, The Standard (Zimbabwe)
December 10, 2006

http://www.thestandard.co.zw/viewinfo.cfm?linkid=11&id=5479&siteid=1

THE diplomatic community, the opposition and civic society have warned of dire consequences if Zanu PF extends President Robert Mugabe’s term by two years or declares him life president.

Some warned the worsening economic meltdown would eventually lead to an uprising.

They said Mugabe could only extend his term if he consults the people in a referendum. Three Zanu PF provinces, Midlands, Masvingo, and Bulawayo, have already resolved at their mini-conferences to back a resolution extending Mugabe’s term to 2010.

The pretext is to harmonise presidential and parliamentary elections.

Manicaland was last night expected to be whipped into line to support the extension.

A European diplomat said: "The extension of Mugabe’s mandate will only serve to prolong the stand-off with the international community, resulting in the further decline of the economy.

"This will obviously result in the further impoverishment of the people of Zimbabwe."

Another diplomat said the increasing hardships under the Mugabe regime would drive Zimbabweans into destitution and desperation.

"My fear is that as poverty, hunger and disease continue to bite, this might force people to rise upand protest against continued hardships."

Average life expectancy has plummeted to 34 years, from over 60, as the government failsto dealwith health and food security.

An African diplomat warned: "Extending President Mugabe’s mandate will only serve to delay the return of normalcy to Zimbabwe. It is Mugabe who has a war with international funding institutions and not the people of Zimbabwe. What it likely to happen is that if Mugabe’s term is extended, many donors, even those funding humanitarian work, will just give up on Zimbabwe and pull out with their money."

Mugabe’s current term expires in 2008. He has always stated he would retire at the end of his current term. But he now looks set to cling to power. By 2010 he will be 86 years old.

The Standard understands there are Zanu PF extremist elements who would prefer a life presidency for Mugabe.

They say this will forestall a break-up of the party if Mugabe left office.

ZanuPF’s three-day conference begins on Wednesday in Goromonzi.

Nelson Chamisa, the spokesman for the anti-Senate Movement for Democratic Change, described the attempts to extend Mugabe’s tenancy at State House as a "constitutional fraud".

"His latest ploy to extend his term to 2010 must be rejected by all patriotic Zimbabweans who want a new Zimbabwe of freedom, prosperity and democracy."

Chamisasaid Mugabe’s term could not be extended as his legitimacy was being challenged in the courtsafter the controversial 2002 presidential poll.

Chamisa accused Zanu PF of treatingZimbabweas its personal property.

"Zimbabweans should not allow a unilateral declaration of a Zanu PF-imposed coup on the wishes of the majority," he said.

All political parties, trade unions, churches, students, civic groups and the general populace would be mobilised to oppose the extension of Mugabe’s term, he said.

Gabriel Chaibva, the spokesman for the pro-Senate factionof the MDC, said he was outraged at the move to extend Mugabe’s term.

"If Zanu PF is serious about harmonising the presidential and parliamentary elections, then why notbring them forward to 2008? We will not allow them to extend Mugabe’s stay in power because we are actively going to resist that, together with other opposition political parties and partners in the democratic struggle."Reginald Matchaba-Hove, the chairman of the Zimbabwe Election Support Network said: "This is not an issue for Zanu PF alone. If he wants an extension, then he should go back to the Zimbabwean people and consult them."

"The proper way of handling that issue would be to consult Zimbabweans in a referendum."

Analysts said holding the presidential elections in 2010 would miss out on the benefits from the World Cup windfall as tourists would avoid Zimbabwe like the plague because of the inevitable orgy of violence that usually takes place before and after elections.

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