THE Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) said in its latest country outlook for Zimbabwe on Tuesday that it expected state-sponsored violence to continue as President Robert Mugabe gears up for presidential elections, probably in April 2002. In spite of violent intimidation of the opposition, and possible vote rigging by Mugabe and his ruling Zanu-PF, “we believe that Morgan Tsvangirai, leader of the opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) may win the election”, the EIU said. “If this is the case, the question remains whether Mugabe and his supporters will accept defeat,” it added. The EIU said, however, that it expected Zimbabwe’s policies, driven by ad hoc crisis management prerogatives, to stave off economic collapse before the next election. “So far the finance minister Simba Makoni, a respected businessman, has handled the crisis with skill, but it is clear that he does not have sufficient political weight.” – IRIN
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