Former Mugabe ally launches opposition party
Former Mugabe ally launches opposition party
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Thursday, 02, Jul 2009 09:51
President Robert Mugabe's former ally and ex-Zimbabwean finance minister has formally launched a new opposition political party.
Simba Makoni said his Mavambo-Kusile-New Dawn (MKD) party hopes to uphold human rights and democracy if elected to power.
"We are on a mission to clean the politics of Zimbabwe. We are fired up to introduce a concept of leaders who are prepared to serve and service the people rather than concerned with power and control," he told supporters in the capital, Harare, where he announced the launch of the new opposition party.
"Our vision is a stable, united and responsive governance system that provides genuine empowerment, not a government that is cruel to its people, not a government that accumulates wealth among the few at the expense of others," he added.
Mr Makoni, who was a member Mr Mugabe's supreme decision making body - the inner politburo - was fired from Zanu-PF after he rebelled against the veteran leader by challenging him in last year's presidential election.
President Mugabe has cited Mr Makoni's rebellion as one of the reasons Zanu-PF performed badly in last year's polls.
Mr Makoni said his new opposition party was offering Zimbabweans an alternative to the "unnecessary" they have suffered over the past decade and which could continue as the three parties in the inclusive government continue wrangling amongst themselves.
"The people are yearning for real change, they are yearning for a party that will give them genuine change, honestly," he added.
Mr Makoni is interim president of the MKD, while former spokesman Godfrey Chanetsa is interim chairman. More party leaders are expected to be announced in due course.
Zimbabwe is set to hold new elections in about 24 months time under a new and democratic constitution that the country is drafting.