AFRICA/ZIMBABWE - Could strife within the President's party be behind and alleged coup plot in Zimbabwe?

Monday, 18 June 2007

Harare (Agenzia Fides) - An alleged coup plot has been revealed in Zimbabwe. Local press said 6 suspects arrested at the end of May are due to report in court on 22 June on charges of plotting to overthrow the government with a coup.
The suspects lawyer said the trial is being held in secret. Two hearings have been held behind closed doors and the accused men were denied freedom on bail. The lawyer said his clients pleaded non guilty. They said they wanted to form a new political party to stand in elections. The lawyer said he was investigating his clients claim that they have been maltreated by the police.
The leader of the alleged coup is said to be Albert Mugove Matapo, former army officer accused of having strong connections with certain other countries. The local press said the suspects intended to install a temporary government and led by Emmerson Mnangagwa, a leading member of the ruling party (ZANU- PF, Zimbabwe African National Union - Patriotic Front) who aspires to presidency. Mnangagwa denied the accusation.
Several local observers say the discovery of the alleged coup is to be seen in the context of a power struggle in the ZANU-PF party to take the place of President Robert Mugabe, who is over eighty years old 80 but seems to have no intention of handing over the leadership. The existence of strife with the President's party was confirmed by the South African foreign minister who said the dispute in the ZANU-PF was a serious obstacle to the attempt by southern African countries to bring representatives of the government and the opposition to sit at the same table.
Zimbabwe is living the worst crisis in its history. Inflation: 3,714%; unemployment: 80%; 4million need food aid; life expectancy: 37 (men), 34 (women); agriculture sector destroyed by the policy of the President: elements which have undermined political and social unity and sick creating the conditions for violent actions. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 18/6/2007 righe 32 parole 392)


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