Mugabe to step down
By Caroline Mango
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Zimbabwean strongman sensationally reveals to the East African Standard in Harare that he will be standing down from his country�s leadership � and discloses that he is having difficulty identifying his successor

Zimbabwean strongman Robert Gabriel Mugabe is now ready to step down, he sensationally revealed to the East African Standard in an exclusive interview in Harare.

Against all expectations, Mugabe debunked the belief widely held by friend and foe alike that he wants to serve for life.

And this week, the man who has become the Western world�s figure of hate and a Commonwealth pariah following his government�s decision to evict white farmers and distribute their land to poor Zimbabweans said that he won�t seek re-election in 2008. He wants to retire and write books.

Speaking exclusively to the East African Standard and KTN at his Zimbabwe African National Union Patriotic Front (Zanu-PF) office in Harare on Wednesday, Mugabe said he was serving his last term and had no intention of clinging on.

The octogenarian, viewed as one of the very last of traditional African strongmen, said he had been in politics for long enough and wanted to rest and do something different.

However, in the age-old style of African dictators, Mugabe lamented that he is having trouble finding a successor.

He is now busy shopping for the right person to take over from him when he retires, he said.

Mugabe has been in power since Zimbabwe�s independence in 1980 and was re-elected in 2002 in an election observers described as flawed and marred by vote rigging.

The announcement will come as surprise to a sceptical international community, which has learned to view the man as one of the worst types of African Big Man.

Mugabe himself has done little to disabuse his foes of this view.

During the election, for example, he was widely reported as having used the state machinery to stay in power and seemed to confirm that by barring the foreign media from covering the election.

The controversial election victory was widely viewed as a desperate effort to consolidate power around himself as forces loyal to him harassed the opposition and suppressed dissent.

The opposition in Harare and the media have continued to suffer state-sponsored harassment, including the complete banning of at least one national newspaper.

The parliamentary elections, which come ahead of the presidential, will be held in June next year and the presidential elections � for a seven-year term � will follow in 2008.

Mugabe�s search for a successor falls neatly into the pattern adopted by some retiring African presidents who hand-pick politicians to succeed them. They have not always been successful, though. In neighbouring Zambia, Frederick Chiluba�s successful efforts to have a favoured crony succeed him backfired after Mr Levy Mwanawasa turned against the retired president and had him charged with corruption.

Analysts in Zimbabwe view Tourism and Information minister Prof Jonathan Moyo as the favourite to succeed Mugabe.

Of the Cabinet ministers, he is the closest to the President and the most powerful.

Moyo is a nominated MP and comes from the Ndebele community while Mugabe is a Shona.

The Ndebele and the Shona have a history of political rivalry, which at one time precipitated a civil war.

Mugabe, referred to locally as "Comrade" sounded confident as he said: "I want to retire from politics. I have had enough. I am also a writer and would like to concentrate in writing after this term in office is over."

Looking strong for his 80 years and eloquent with very good English, Mugabe said the problems he is having finding a successor are causing power struggles in the top leadership of his Zanu-PF party.

"They are fighting and some are even going to consult with witchdoctors. It is very interesting to note that even educated people are seeking the consultation of Ngangas (witchdoctors) expecting to be possible candidates," said Mugabe matter-of-factly.

The man who has ruled Zimbabwe for nearly 24 years spoke soon after a sycophantic endorsement by 200 chiefs in the country for him to run for the Presidency again in 2008.

They encouraged Mugabe to hang on to power and seek re-election.

"I know why the chiefs endorsed me. It is because they know the consequences the country will face in terms of good and firm leadership should I retire."

He, however, was upbeat that he would find a successor.

"I don�t think I will miss a successor. Out of 30 million people, there must be a capable person to take over after me and he will be the chosen one".

Mugabe was cheerful and charming during the interview in which he was accompanied by three bodyguards and his press team.

"I have not even completed this term, I have four more years and I am not so young, you know. I need to rest from politics and do something else like writing," he said.

He downplayed the misunderstandings and clashes in his party terming them as normal succession politics, which might eventually make the party stronger.

However, Mugabe�s promise to quit is likely to be scant comfort to the opposition, embittered by years of harassment by the ruling party.

Zimbabwe was this week named alongside Eritrea and Cuba as among the worst abusers of media rights by the US-Based Committee on Protection of Journalists (CPJ).

The government however dismissed the watchdog as "just a mercenary being used by the UK like other anti-Zimbabwe mouthpieces."

In 4 more years, be can set the country back another 30 years.

I will believe it when I see it!!

Retire to write books?

On what subject or subjects?

Doesn't it take brins to write?

Here are a few



Rape and Pillage 101

Ridding Your Country of THE Man

Little People-How to Use & Abuse and Still Make Money

The "International Community" and Media- Keeping Them off Your Back and Working for YOU!!!

A lot of people underestamated Mugabe and look where it got them..This is a smart man, and clever as fox, with a meaness about him that would make the Marquis de Saad quake in his boots...

Only time will tell, but whoever is his successor will be better for Zimbabwe I would think.., but then who knows..and it could very easily get out of hand and end up in civil war when he is gone, a power play is at hand, and I'd rather be sitting on a keg of dynomite, me thinks....