Ex-foes combine to push for Mugabe’s ouster
From MARCUS MUSHONGA in Harare, ZimbabweHARARE, (CAJ News) – ZIMBABWE President Robert Mugabe’s two main rivals have embarked on a joint diplomatic offensive to unseat the veteran leader (92) in the watershed elections set for 2018.
His former deputy, Joice Mujuru, and longtime challenger, Morgan Tsvangirai, have lined up regional and international crusades to mobilize against the beleaguered strongman.
Mujuru, who has already met South African president Jacob Zuma, will in the coming days be in England to meet the government officials as well as Zimbabweans living in that country to brief them about the situation back home and appeal for their votes.
The former freedom fighter, expelled from Zanu (PF) in 2014 for allegedly trying to overthrow Mugabe, will be on the diplomatic whirlwind with trips planned to engage Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden and to drum up support.
The international campaign will culminate in a joint United Kingdom joint tour by Mujuru and Tsvangirai.
Further campaigns are planned for Australia, Germany and the United States.
A senior official from Mujuru’s Zimbabwe People First (ZimPF) confirmed the tours in an interview with CAJ News Africa.
“Mujuru has already met Zuma and Tsvangirai will be next. The two (Mujuru and Tsvangirai) are scheduled to travel to Europe sometime next week for further meetings.”
Tsvangirai’s spokesperson, Luke Tamborinyoka, confirmed the MDC leader was in South Africa for treatment for colon cancer.
He said the MDC leader, once out of hospital, would announce his international trips.
The 2018 poll is projected to offer the stiffest challenge to Mugabe’s decades-long stranglehold on power. Divisions among the opposition have helped tighten his grip.
Frustrated Zimbabweans have taken to the streets in recent weeks calling for his resignation.
– CAJ News
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