Tsvangirai rules out pact with Makoni

Tsvangirai rules out pact with Makoni

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ZIMBABWEAN opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai confirmed on Sunday he would stand for president at elections next month, quashing speculation he would give a former minister a clear run against Robert Mugabe.

"I confirm myself, together with the comrades behind me, that we are going to contest the presidential, parliamentary, senatorial and local government elections," the Movement for Democratic Change leader told reporters.

"I want to confirm that I am going to be the presidential candidate and what you see behind me is the team that I am going to work with in the forthcoming campaigns," he added in a briefing attended by lawmakers and top officials.

Former finance minister Simba Makoni announced last week that he planned to challenge Mugabe at the 29 March elections in a move welcomed by the MDC, leading some commentators to predict Tsvangirai would not contest the polls.

His decision to carry on is seen as likely to split the anti-Mugabe vote and increase the re-election prospects of the octogenarian president who is seeking a sixth term in office.

Tsvangirai praised Makoni as a patriot but said he bore some responsibility for the state of the country as a long-time member of Mugabe's ruling Zimbabwe African National Union - Patriotic Front (Zanu PF).

Inflation is the highest in the world at over 26 000 percent, unemployment is running at around 80 percent and even basic foodstuffs are in scarce supply.

"Dr Makoni has been part of the establishment for the last 30 years and has witnessed our country deteriorate to this unprecedented level. He is equally accountable as Robert Mugabe for the omissions of Zanu PF," Tsvangirai said.

"I believe that what Dr Makoni is trying is to reform an institutionalised dictatorship. That is not my agenda.

"I am the leader of the MDC.... Dr Makoni is nothing more than old wine in a new bottle."

Tsvangirai lost to Mugabe in the last elections in 2002 in a poll Western observers said was rigged. His party has since been riven by divisions and he has been unable to persuade a splinter faction to unite behind his candidacy.

The MDC leader was confident his party would be the rightful winners but sceptical that Mugabe would allow a level playing field at the election.

"Mugabe may rig it, may steal it, but we would have won it... I have no doubt in my mind, we will win it," he said to the applause of party supporters. - AFP
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