Friday is the deadline for the registration of candidates nominated by their parties to stand for the March 29 general elections in Zimbabwe. It is reported that Mr. Simba Makoni, has filed as an independent candidate.
Friday is the deadline for the registration of candidates nominated by their parties to stand for the March 29 general elections in Zimbabwe. It is reported that Mr. Simba Makoni, has filed as an independent candidate.
A second candidate from the MDC, Arthur Mutambara, who was widely believed to contest against Mr. Tsvangirai, the party’s endorsed candidate, has not yet filed his candidacy. MDC spokesmen William Bango and Pishai Muchauraya will be contesting in the parliamentary polls.
Mr. Makoni made his intentions known on February 5 said that his decision to run as an independent candidate had been made after consulting with party activists and people from other quaters. In favour of this decision, Mr. Edgar Tekere also an ex member of the ruling party, ZANU-PF, said that Zimbabwe had lost many friends and that Mr. Makoni who is admired in Europe will help bring back the lost friends.
Political analysts say a challenge from Makoni shows a division in the ZANU-PF party. This division could leave Mugabe weaker even if he wins. Makoni is believed to have a strong backing from Solomon Mujuru, a former army chief whose wife Joyce is vice-president. Zimbabwean political analyst, John Makumbe, says that if this is indeed true, the ZANU-PF votes would be split, thus boosting chances of the opposition MDC.
Mr. Makoni could have more support than than what analysts are suggesting. Opposition MP, Priscilla Misihairabwi spoke of Makoni’s courage in challenging Mugabe publicly, in a BBC News online. She also said that Mr. Simba Makoni, whose first name means lion in Swahili, is a man of principles.
His supporters agree that he has a sound knowledge of orthodox economics. Makoni was sacked in 2002 after he stood up against Mugabe’s economic policy.
