Veteran Zimbabwean leader Robert Mugabe, who is due to step down in 2008 after a 28-year rule, has endorsed the idea of his presidency being extended by another two years.
In comments published by the state-run Herald newspaper, 82-year-old Mugabe said it would make sense for presidential and parliamentary elections — scheduled for 2008 and 2010 respectively — to be held simultaneously.
”I think it is better to have the two together … and we synchronise the system of elections. Then there is harmony and that’s what we want,” said Mugabe, in power since Zimbabwe gained independence from Britain in 1980.
The comments, which come on the eve of the ruling Zanu-PF party’s annual conference, have reinforced the belief that Mugabe will get formal backing for an extension of his sixth term as president of the Southern African country.
Although Mugabe appeared to endorse Vice-President Joyce Mujuru as his successor when Zanu-PF elected her as the party’s deputy leader two years ago, he has since criticised infighting among ambitious senior party members.
Parliament speaker John Nkomo indicated last month that he would throw his hat into the ring for the contest to succeed Mugabe, telling journalists: ”Why would I vie for the vice-president’s position when there is the presidency?”
Mugabe, who has previously said he would stand down after his current term, said he did not want to leave his party in a mess.
”I will retire, of course, some day, but it all depends on the circumstances,” he said.
”I can’t retire if my party is going to be in a shambles. But any day we feel we are ready for that retirement, that is we as a party feel we are ready for it, sure.”
While the subject of deferring the presidential elections until 2010 is not on the conference agenda, officials have said that the issue could be raised by delegates from the floor.
”There is a feeling in the party that it would be a good thing to merge the parliamentary and presidential elections in order to save money,” said party spokesperson Nathan Shamuyarira.
Failure to agree on candidate
It had been reported on Monday that would not step down at the expiry of his term in 2008 but would rule for an additional two years after three more provincial committees of his ruling Zanu-PF party resolved at the weekend to extend his term to 2010.
Zanu-PF, which has enough parliamentary majority to amend Zimbabwe’s Constitution to enable Mugabe to continue in office, is pushing for a constitutional amendment to postpone a presidential election due in 2008 to 2010 so it can be held together with general elections for Parliament.
The ruling party says holding simultaneous presidential and parliamentary elections would cut on costs.
But insiders say the move is more because of failure by bitterly opposed factions in the party to agree on a single candidate to succeed Mugabe, who will have been at the helm for 30 years if he stays on until 2010. — Sapa-AFP, ZimOnline