BULAWAYO Failure by President Robert Mugabes ZANU PF party to resolve the issue of his succession could plunge Zimbabwe into Somalia-type anarchy, with military coups the means to acquire power, Finance Minister and former opposition politician Tendai Biti has warned. (Pictured: TENDAI BITI . . . The succession debate in ZANU PF should be resolved very urgently.)
Biti, secretary general of Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirais MDC party that formed a power-sharing government with ZANU PF last February, said there was chaos in Mugabes party over his succession. The Finance Minister — who spoke as last weeks death of Vice President Joseph Msika reignited the vicious battle to succeed Mugabe as leader of ZANU PF party and possibly Zimbabwe — suggested that any one of the rival factions competing to take control of Mugabes party when and if the veteran leader steps down could instigate a military coup.
The succession debate in ZANU PF should be resolved very urgently as it can result in a military coup in this country. It is not a secret that there is chaos in ZANU PF about succession, said Biti at a weekend meeting with business leaders in Bulawayo.
He added: We dont want a military coup because of a failure to replace the leadership. Zimbabwe will be like Somalia and Ivory Coast if the succession issue is not urgently dealt witha failure to deal with this issue will affect future generations of Zimbabweans.
There was no immediate reaction from ZANU PF to Bitis comments. Msika, who was one of two vice presidents of Zimbabwe and ZANU PF, died last Wednesday after being unwell for most of the past four years. He was 86. Analysts said Msikas death coming five months ahead of a ZANU PF elective congress in December — could worsen the succession debate that seemed closed when Mugabe in June told his squabbling party that there would be no change of guard in the top leadership until there was better unity.
Several ZANU PF provincial executives that nominate leadership candidates had already said they would retain the entire party presidium with Mugabe at the top. But with Msikas death they will now be forced to nominate a candidate for the second vice presidents slot. Anyone chosen to re-place Msika will, together with the other vice president, Joice Mujuru, be a step closer to the top job.
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