Mugabe flays Zimbabwe's power-sharing, prepares for new elections
In
a comment that may heighten the political crisis in Zimbabwe,
President Robert Mugabe at the weekend said the fragile
power-sharing government in his country "was given a short life" and
he intends to reclaim control through new elections.
Agency reports quoted Mugabe as telling his ZANU-PF party over the
weekend that: "Elections are not far off. The inclusive government
was given a short life. The remaining part of it is short. In fact,
it has lived more than half its life."
Mugabe's remarks come amid renewed tension between him and Prime
Minister Morgan Tsvangirai. The two formed a power-sharing deal
after a disputed presidential election that prompted months of
controversy. The unity government has bickered constantly since it
was formed in February, and Tsvangirai's Movement for Democratic
Change party has accused Mugabe's Zanu-PF of human rights
violations.
One of the main disputes centres on Roy Bennett, a key MDC official
facing charges of possessing weapons for sabotage, banditry and
terrorism. Tsvangirai has called the delay in swearing in Bennett -
a nominee for deputy agriculture minister - a deliberate attempt by
Mugabe to send a message.
Earlier Saturday, ZANU-PF passed a resolution to prepare and be able
to run in a "undisputed and decisive election."
Mugabe urged his supporters to have "a spirit of never to surrender your
birthright" as they prepared for the elections, referring to his controversial
land reform policy which targets white commercial farmers.
The two-day ZANU-PF congress resolved that the party would not give in to the
demands of Tsvangirai's Movement for Democratic Change party to have its members
appointed to senior posts of the coalition government.
Zanu-PF said there would not be any "movement until paramount and decisive steps
have been taken for the unconditional removal" of sanctions imposed by the West
on Mugabe and his senior party officials
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