Analysts said Mugabe would refuse to step down and handover power to Tsvangirai if he loses the run-off poll to him. Analysts said history has shown that dictators would rather die in office or be forced into exile than handover power.
According to analysts, the post June 27 period will mark the beginning and not the end of a struggle to force Mugabe to step down if he loses the presidential run-off poll.
“I have never known any dictator in the world history who has transferred power willingly. They all die in office or are forced into exile or they are given a soft landing and a dictator like Mugabe is unlikely to transfer power to a democrat. He will rather transfer power to a military person,” Gorden Moyo, the chairman of the Bulawayo Agenda civic society organization warned.
Moyo added: “Whether the promises of amnesty are made, Mugabe is not that person who will welcome that. He is that person who will fight on to hold onto power. Zimbabweans will see a protracted struggle of power transference to Tsvangirai if Mugabe loses elections as he is likely not to concede defeat.”
John Makumbe, a political analysts weighed in saying “Mugabe is not that kind of a person who will be sweet talked to hand over power willingly even after losing elections and Mugabe is likely to fight Zimbabweans to force them to allow him to continue ruling despite losing. June 27 will mark the beginning and not the end of the protracted power struggle where Mugabe will be demanding a negotiated settlement.”
Zanu (PF) has given contrasting signals of whether Mugabe will concede defeat or not in the second round of voting.
One of Mugabe’s closest lieutenants and his chief election agent, Emmerson Mnangagwa, was quoted by state media on Monday week as having said that the veteran leader would accept the outcome of the second presidential vote including an opposition victory.
But on Thursday last week, Grace, Mugabe’s wife was reported to have told Shamva ruling Zanu-PF party supporters in Mashonaland Central that Tsvangirai would not be allowed to take any power under any circumstances even if Mugabe loses the run-off election.
Political analysts and lawyer, Job Sibanda, said signals or statements of prosecution hardened Mugabe and will most likely refuse to step down and expose himself to prosecution.
“Mugabe is concerned about the MDC signals of prosecution and is likely to dig in his heels after losing the election by refusing to step down. He is unlikely to move out of state house and open himself to possible charges even if he loses the elections” said Sibanda. “He becomes even more intransigent when statements of prosecution are passed around by his challengers.”
Post published in: News