Zimbabwe: New President to be chosen by the people – Mugabe

Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe. PHOTO/Reuters

Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe has revealed that he will not “anoint a successor” as the lobbying for his post continues to intensify.

Mugabe in an interview with Ghanian filmmaker Roy Agyemang, said that he had assessed his potential successors but wanted the citizens of Zimbabwe to choose their next leader.

“I have people in mind who would want to be. But I have looked at them,” the 90 year-old leader said. “I have not come to any conclusion as to which one, really, should be.

Zimbabwe will hold its next legislative and presidential elections in 2018 but the long serving Mugabe – has refused to talk about his retirement.

His ruling ZANU-PF party would hold an elective congress in December this year but his position is unlikely to be contested. However, the party is reportedly divided into 2 factions that back Vice President Joyce Mujuru and Justice minister Emmerson Mnangagwa to take over from Mugabe.

Despite his failing health and waning popularity, Mugabe has in the past said that he would not retire as long as his party is divided and is facing disintegration. Last year he won a presidential election overwhelmingly after stumbling in the 2008 polls where he lost the first round to long time opponent Morgan Tsvangirai.

The ZANU-PF has also regained the two thirds majority it had lost to the opposition that same year.

Source: Newswires