The Zimbabwean First Lady, Grace Mugabe, on Thursday challenged
her husband, Robert to name his preferred successor to end deepening divisions
over the future leadership of the ruling ZANU-PF party.
Africa’s oldest
leader, Mugabe, 93, has ruled the former British colony since independence in
1980 but has insisted that ZANU-PF, and not him, would choose his eventual
successor when the time comes, Reuters reported.
However, at a
meeting of ZANU-PF’s women’s wing in Harare, The first lady contradicted the
veteran leader, who also attended the meeting, saying he should name a
successor.
“The First Lady
and Zanu-PF Secretary for Women’s Affairs have challenged the President to name
his successor, saying this has been the trend in other countries.
“The First Lady
said there is nothing wrong with Mugabe naming his successor, saying the move
will enable all members to rally behind one candidate,’’ ZBC said.
However, Mugabe
did not speak at the meeting.
Fighting over
leadership of a post-Mugabe ZANU-PF has intensified in the last three years,
with two distinct camps emerging, one supporting Vice President Emmerson
Mnangagwa and the other rooting for Grace Mugabe.
Mugabe is
ZANU-PF’s presidential candidate for the 2018 election, his last under the
constitution.
He will be 99
years if he wins and completes the five-year term.
According to the
constitution, elections are due after July 21, 2018.
No comments: