Magabe rallies party

[Auzgurl]

driven by doubts and factions...

Sunday 13th December 2009

Robert Mugabe warned his Zanu-PF party against factionalism
Mingling among the tinsel and other trappings of Christmas, the men and women who constitute the backbone of Zanu-PF swayed to old party songs.

Many wore the party's colours - black, green, yellow and red - and bore the image of President Robert Mugabe.

Mr Mugabe - the man they have chosen to lead them for the past 30 years - this weekend received a mandate to continue for another five.

With such a strong presence of Zanu-PF at the rally venue, it was hard to imagine that this was where last year's power-sharing deal was thrashed out.

It was a deal born out of necessity, given Zanu-PF's dismal performance at the polls, and a deal which forced it into an unhappy marriage with opposition leader Morgan Tsvangarai's Movement for Democratic Change (MDC).

Ten months on from the formation of that "inclusive government", and Zanu-PF has made it clear that it is "raring to go", rallying its political troops for elections which Mr Mugabe warned were "just around the corner".

But despite the rhetoric, the party knows that were it to go to the country tomorrow, it would be unlikely to win outright.

Factionalism

The key partners in the unity government have little incentive to push for elections just now.

Though a temporary arrangement, it may have possibly two more years of life left, so elections are unlikely to be as close as the headlines in the state-owned press suggest.



Zimbabwe's "inclusive government" was formed 10 months ago
A recent survey by Zimbabwe's Mass Public Opinion Institute found that just 10% of the population of Mashonaland Central - once a Zanu-PF stronghold - would vote for Mr Mugabe. It is a sign of the times.

One observer at the congress described Mr Mugabe as a "president in distress", trying to rein in a party showing signs of factionalism and divisions along ethnic lines. "
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/8410710.stm



snip>"The party is eating itself up. The more intense the internal fighting is, the greater opportunity we give to the opposition to thrive," Mr Mugabe said. "




http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/8408268.stm

[JW.Frogen]

It is time for the world to turn prune face into some prune juice.

[Auzgurl]

It is time for the world to turn prune face into some prune juice.

Yes at age 85 ( and may make it to 90 )its time but full marks to him for sheer bloody mindedness .

Magabe Prune Juice ,just '10%' real prune juice.

It will never catch on.

[JW.Frogen]

Jesus, Mugabe is sooooo black it is a wonder he does not suck in all matter, light and time into his horrible black hole.

[Auzgurl]

Mugabe looks years younger in this shot , and is still showing a decent head of hair for an old guy.


http://www.timeslive.co.za/news/africa/ ... 228944.ece

•Mugabe loyalists raped women during vote
AIDS-Free World released a report that documents 380 rapes allegedly committed by more than 200 Zanu-PF militia and supporters across the country.

The report is backed up by affidavits intended to be used to prosecute those responsible for crimes against humanity.

The group's legal director, Betsy Apple, said the rapes and violence were sanctioned and ''ordered by people who were not direct perpetrators''.

It intends submitting the report to SADC and South Africa's National Prosecuting Authority.

[Auzgurl]

Most Zimbabweans agree generally that things are getting better under the Global Political Agreement compared to the chaos and violence of 2008 and the years preceding it. Most hope the marriage continues until the economic situation stabilises and there is some guarantee that there is no repeat of the June 27 conditions when close to 200 MDC supporters were killed and thousands were injured and tortured.

But people are also aware that at some point the inclusive government will have to give way to a popularly elected government. According to the Global Political Agreement the government of national unity is supposed to last no more than 24 months but indications are that it is likely to last a full five-year lifespan.

"Let's begin to work for the party and to organise it strongly. Elections are not very far off," said Mugabe, adding that "the inclusive government was given a short life - 18 months, 24 months - and then it goes. The remaining part is very short. Perhaps it has outlived its life."

http://allafrica.com/stories/200912180733.html


Perhaps Mugabe can get bit of advice from Freediver and Aussie regarding the running of free and fair elections.

But then, maybe not ?

[Aussie]

Please keep that stuff at the other Sub Forums, Auzgurl. Thanks.

[JW.Frogen]

It is an offhand remark Ausgabe, don't be such a wallflower.