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This article participates on the following special index pages:
2008 harmonised elections - Index of articles
Simba Makoni joins the presidential race in Zimbabwe - Index of Articles
Makoni
announces plans to contest presidency
The Herald (Zimbabwe)
February 06, 2008
http://www.herald.co.zw/inside.aspx?sectid=30535&cat=1
Former Finance Minister
Dr Simba Makoni yesterday announced his intention to contest the
March 29 presidential election to an audience that included British
and American diplomats whose countries have been linked to the formation
of a new party aimed at unseating the ruling Zanu-PF government
and President Mugabe.
Britain, the United States
and Sweden have been working with the opposition MDC to effect regime
change, but were reportedly frustrated with the opposition party's
failure to deliver.
Dr Makoni's announcement
coincides with the collapse of unity talks between the Morgan Tsvangirai
and Arthur Mutambara MDC factions, which were being sponsored by
the British, Americans and Swedes.
President Mugabe has
previously told party gatherings such as Central Committee meetings
that some Zanu-PF leaders were cutting deals with Britain and the
US in a bid to effect regime change.
Dr Makoni said his presidential
bid was launched after "very extensive and intensive consultations
with party members and activists countrywide, and also with others
outside the party."
"I have accepted
the call, and hereby advise the people of Zimbabwe that I offer
myself as candidate for the office of President of Zimbabwe; in
the forthcoming elections."
Although he did not state
on which ticket he would run for presidency, it is most likely he
would be an independent because Zanu-PF has already endorsed President
Mugabe as its candidate.
Dr Makoni said he was
disappointed that the Zanu-PF Extraordinary Congress held in December
last year endorsed the candidature of President Mugabe because he
had expected congress to elect a new leader and claimed that some
in Zanu-PF were of the same view.
He said he would have
wished to contest as a Zanu-PF candidate and claimed he was still
loyal to the party.
However, the Zimbabwe
National Liberation War Veterans' Association immediately
blasted Dr Makoni for going against the party decision.
War veterans deputy leader
Cde Joseph Chinotimba said Dr Makoni could not stand in the election
in the name of Zanu-PF.
"Makoni cannot stand
as a Zanu-PF candidate. He should either form his own party or stand
as an independent candidate. We know them all (his backers in Zanu-PF),
it is not Makoni alone. We were waiting for them to come out in
the open," he said.
"We are now going
to campaign vigorously for President Mugabe. I feel sorry for Makoni,
ayirasa. From today to the nomination date we will have finished
with them. Mupanduki kana achinge apanduka anoziva zvinoita Zanu-PF."
Cde Chinotimba said war
veterans would from yesterday take control of the Zanu-PF headquarters.
He said Dr Makoni and
his followers would be barred from entering the premises.
"We are calling
on all the war veterans to take control of the party headquarters."
Asked what Dr Makoni's
status was following his announcement, Zanu-PF secretary for legal
affairs Cde Emmerson Mnangagwa said he would only comment on the
matter after getting all the facts.
Dr Ibbo Mandaza and Retired
Major Kudzai Mbudzi — who is facing expulsion from Zanu-PF
for indiscipline — flanked Dr Makoni during the Press conference.
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