HARARE, Zimbabwe, Dec. 15 (UPI) -- A special congress of the ruling Zanu Party in Zimbabwe has "affirmed" that President Robert Mugabe is its only candidate in next year's election.
The move, done without a vote or discussion, guarantees Mugabe his position for life, The Times of London reported.
The party congress brought 10,000 delegates to Harare Thursday to hear Mugabe give a two-hour speech. Then chairmen of the 10 provincial councils said that each one had endorsed Mugabe's candidacy.
"That was it," a Zanu official who did not want his name used told the Times. "He wasn't going to risk taking a vote. Of course no one objected. It would be suicide to challenge him openly."
Congress delegates wore shirts with Mugabe's picture and carried signs denouncing British Prime Minister Gordon Brown, who refused to attend the recent Europe-Africa summit because Mugabe was present.
