Former Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front politburo member Simba Makoni said he would have liked to stand as the ZANU-PF presidential candidate in the 2008 elections but nominations for presidential candidates to challenge Robert Mugabe were not permitted at the extraordinary congress in December.
Since this was not possible he had decided to stand as an independent candidate because he was disturbed by the poverty and plight of the Zimbabwean people.
Ibbo Mandaza, who was working with Makoni, said the former Finance Minister enjoyed the support of the Mujuru faction in ZANU-PF and that of Ex-ZAPU members from Matebeleland.
Full cable:
Viewing cable 08HARARE96, SUPER TUESDAY: MAKONI ANNOUNCES CANDIDACY
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Reference ID |
Created |
Classification |
Origin |
VZCZCXRO9778
RR RUEHDU RUEHMR RUEHRN
DE RUEHSB #0096 0361255
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
R 051255Z FEB 08
FM AMEMBASSY HARARE
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 2458
INFO RUCNSAD/SOUTHERN AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY
RUEHAR/AMEMBASSY ACCRA 1764
RUEHDS/AMEMBASSY ADDIS ABABA 1890
RUEHRL/AMEMBASSY BERLIN 0475
RUEHBY/AMEMBASSY CANBERRA 1167
RUEHDK/AMEMBASSY DAKAR 1524
RUEHKM/AMEMBASSY KAMPALA 1946
RUEHNR/AMEMBASSY NAIROBI 4375
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC
RUFOADA/JAC MOLESWORTH RAF MOLESWORTH UK
RHMFISS/EUCOM POLAD VAIHINGEN GE
RHEFDIA/DIA WASHDC
RUEHGV/USMISSION GENEVA 1017
RHEHAAA/NSC WASHDC
C O N F I D E N T I A L HARARE 000096
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
AF/S FOR S. HILL,
ADDIS ABABA FOR USAU
ADDIS ABABA FOR ACSS
STATE PASS TO USAID FOR E. LOKEN AND L. DOBBINS
STATE PASS TO NSC FOR SENIOR AFRICA DIRECTOR B. PITTMAN
E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/16/2018
SUBJECT: SUPER TUESDAY: MAKONI ANNOUNCES CANDIDACY
Classified By: Amb. James D. McGee for reason 1.4 (d)
¶1. (U) Ending weeks of speculation, Simaba Makoni announced
he will be a candidate for president. At a press conference,
Makoni said that he was disturbed by the poverty and plight
of the Zimbabwean people, and that he blamed this on national
governance. He had hoped that the ZANU-PF Congress in
December would have produced alternatives, but nominations
for presidential candidates were not permitted. He stated
his preference would have been to run as a ZANU-PF candidate,
but since this was not possible, he would run as an
independent. Responding to questions, he declined to reveal
his base of support but said this would be made known in
coming days. He also declined to discuss whether he had
alerted President Robert Mugabe to his decision; referring to
a widely publicized meeting with Mugabe January 22 where it
was reported that he pledged allegiance to Mugabe and
ZANU-PF, Makoni would only say they discussed the
“speculation” regarding his possible candidacy.
¶2. (C) COMMENT. ZANU-PF dissident Ibbo Mandaza has been
pushing Makoni’s candidacy for some time. The general
consensus among analysts–and even Makoni’s friends–was that
he lacked the courage to take Mugabe on. His candidacy has
surprised the political and diplomatic community, and
undoubtedly ZANU-PF.
¶3. (C) COMMENT CONTINUED. Mandaza told polecon chief
February 2 that Makoni would register as a candidate for
president. He also said that Makoni had the support of the
Mujuru faction and from within the ZANU-PF faction in
Matabeleland comprised of ex-ZAPU. He opined that Mugabe
would be seriously weakened by Makoni’s decision, and would
be debilitated as a candidate. In the coming days we will
sound out contacts in an effort to gauge Makoni’s support,
particularly in light of the disunity of the MDC (Septel) and
what we have heard is Arthur Mutambara’s endorsement of
Makoni. END COMMENT.
MCGEE
(25 VIEWS)
