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Mugabe's party backs his re-election bid


Published: Dec. 13, 2007 at 10:01 PM
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HARARE, Zimbabwe, Dec. 13 (UPI) -- Despite their country's downward economic spiral, the party of President Robert Mugabe Thursday threw its support behind him for a sixth term in office.

The Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front issued its endorsement on the first day of an extraordinary congress in Harare, the Voice of America reported. Mugabe, 83, told the delegates elections will take place in March "without fail," the U.S. network reported.

"If there are any political parties that are not ready for elections, we are not to blame," he said.

The opposition Movement for Democratic Change wants the elections postponed until six months after the culmination of crisis resolution talks currently under way, with mediation by South African President Thabo Mbeki and his staff.

Zimbabwe has been beset by rampant inflation, violence and allegations of civil rights violations.

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