Zimbabwe’s Former Minister Rules Out Coalition Against Mugabe

Zimbabwe’s former finance minister Simba Makoni has ruled out a coalition with the opposition in next month’s election, saying the move would alienate dissenters within the ruling ZANU PF party who are backing him.

Makoni is standing as an independent in the 29 March presidential election against his former boss President Robert Mugabe and the main opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) of Morgan Tsvangirai.

There have been calls from political analysts urging Makoni to form a broad coalition with the MDC to take on Mugabe in the polls amid fears that Mugabe could take advantage of a divided opposition to stay in power.

Speaking in an interview with South Africa’s Talk Radio station monitored here, Makoni said he would not forge a coalition with the opposition.

“There are a large number of people in ZANU PF who share my proper vision. I don’t want to alienate those people by forming a coalition with one entity,” said Makoni, adding that he was in a “coalition with the people of Zimbabwe”.

Makoni’s entry into the Zimbabwe presidential race has raised widespread interest among voters who believe he stands a greater chance of ousting Mugabe because he has the backing of senior ZANU PF officials and the military.

Source African Press Agency

Net News Publisher