Makoni to Stand for President

Makoni, a senior member of the ruling Zanu (PF) party, announced this week that he would challenge Mugabe as an independent.
There has been speculation over the past three months that Makoni would form a new party to contest the elections.
Following extensive consultations with party members and activists countrywide and also with others outside the party, I have accepted the call and hereby advise the people of Zimbabwe that I offer myself as candidate for the office of president, Makoni told a press conference.
Hinting at the controversial way in which Mugabe had imposed himself as Zanu (PF) candidate at the party congress in December, Makoni said he would have wished to stand on the ruling party’s ticket.
Unfortunately, as we all know, that opportunity was denied to anyone who would have offered themselves to serve the party and the country, he said.
Let me confirm that I share the agony and anguish of all citizens over the extreme hardships that we have endured for nearly 10 years now, added Makoni who was Mugabe’s finance minister from 2000-2003.
I also share the widely held view that these hardships are a result of failure of national leadership and that change at that level is a pre-requisite for change at other levels of national endeavour.
Makoni is rumoured to have the backing of powerful former army general Solomon Mujuru, whose wife, Joice, is the current vice president.  Gen Vitalis Zvinavashe, former defence chief, has also criticised Mugabe publicly in recent weeks.
Makoni – who recently met Mugabe behind closed doors reportedly to clear the air over press reports that he was planning to break away – re-affirmed his loyalty to and faith in the party but categorically denied links to any group in Zanu (PF) or the opposition.
He said he would work with other like-minded people details about who would be disclosed at a later and more opportune stage.