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| East/Subsaharan Africa |
| Knives out for Mugabe as party loyalty fades |
| 2003-05-02 |
| Zim-Bob-We's president, Robert Mugabe, is battling against a whispering campaign within his Zanu-PF party begun by some of his deputies and lieutenants vying to Amazing! They finally noticed! Ole' Bob finally stunk up the joint enough. But even as the 79-year-old leader struggles with "Damn whippersnappers! I'll show them! Jes' as soon as I finds my teeth!" Interviews with senior members of Zanu-PF show that substantial elements of the party think it is Rantburg readers could give 'em a working strategy in about 15 minutes or so. But would they listen? "The party is fully aware they have lost the population," a former Zanu-PF member of parliament said. "Cabinet ministers and party officials sit over beers and admit the party has failed the country. But when Mugabe comes into the room they all sit up and tell the president what he wants to hear. They are all afraid." "Please don't kill us!" They fear that Mr Mugabe will cut them out of the party's inner circle of wealth and power. They are also afraid of Mr Mugabe's revenge. Some cabinet ministers privately say they are unhappy with the situation but are frightened of violent retribution if they resign. "Zanu-PF is not just a political party, it is a It's the proper education at Patrice Lumumba U. that makes a police state the likely outcome of all that struggle. Mr Mugabe's use of the army, police, war veterans and youth militia frightens many people, but he cannot intimidate an economy back to prosperity or win back popularity. "There are several in Zanu-PF who have been waiting for years to succeed Mugabe and now they fear they are losing their chance," said a former ambassador. "They fear Mugabe will drag the party down with him and they won't have a chance of power. That is why they want Mugabe to step down now." "Git! I was here first!" The most prominent faction became public in January when the opposition leader, Morgan Tsvangirai, revealed that he had been approached by the parliamentary speaker, Emmerson Mnangagwa, and the chief of staff of the armed forces, General Vitalis Zvinavashe, who asked him if he would join a "transitional government" if they got Mr Mugabe to retire. Mr Mnangagwa, a former defence minister, is widely considered to be Mr Mugabe's likely successor. "They are powerful men, but their weakness is that they are not popular," said a Zanu-PF MP. "Mnangagwa cannot even win an election within the party, not to mention a parliamentary seat. How could he lead the nation?" Clubs, goons, guns? Works for Bob! Party leaders can rattle off other factions vying to succeed Mr Mugabe, but virtually all of the various challengers are devoid of any new economic policies to reverse Zimbabwe's decline. The one Zanu-PF contender who is an exception is Simba Makoni, a former finance minister. He has spoken out for rational economic policies and avoided associating with the more lawless side of the party. He hasn't a chance, of course. He told the Guardian that Zimbabwe's daunting problems demanded a national effort in which all Zimbabwean parties and civic organisations worked together. "We are faced with a crisis, both economic and social, that calls for a national effort that cuts across party lines," Mr Makoni said. Mr Makoni's statements are He clearly didn't do well in Marxism 101 at PLU! A Zanu-PF member of parliament said: "Moderates within Zanu-PF are comfortable with Makoni and even the general public likes him. He is not tainted by corruption. But he does not have a proven constituency, he does not have an elected seat." Another party member said: "Makoni is outside the inner circle but he could well come to power with a bit of support from South Africa." South Africa's economic pressure and President Mbeki are the most decisive factors influencing Mr Mugabe. "South Africa's key strategy in dealing with Zimbabwe is to try to get Zanu-PF to make an internal change in leadership. If they finish up the land redistribution, that could allow Mugabe to retire as a hero and get a successor," said Ivor Jenkins, director of the International Democratic Alternative for South Africa. Just go, Bob. |
| Posted by:Steve White |
| #7 So what comes after Bob and Grace? Will Africa get any better? Seems pretty depressing. |
| Posted by: Alaska Paul 2003-05-02 17:05:30 |
| #6 No firing squad - Bob is probably already negotiating the exile arrangement. |
| Posted by: liberalhawk 2003-05-02 10:14:11 |
| #5 Looks like it's time for the Fredo rowboat ride. "Hey, Bob. Let's go fishing!" |
| Posted by: tu3031 2003-05-02 09:44:42 |
| #4 60:40 on the firing squad, or whatever native means applies, i.e. the Idi Amin method "I jes eats you til youse stops screaming" |
| Posted by: Chuck 2003-05-02 08:38:30 |
| #3 He'll enjoy Paris in the springtime... |
| Posted by: ----------<<<<- 2003-05-02 12:11:36 |
| #2 Today's question: By June 1, will Bob & Grace have left on the Concorde, or been shot by a firing squad? |
| Posted by: Baba Yaga 2003-05-02 07:24:04 |
| #1 Y'know, Ian Smith is still alive and cranky down there. He should be pretty well rested - perhaps he'd like another crack at things? |
| Posted by: The Marmot 2003-05-02 03:40:56 |