The Zimbabwean tough man Robert Mugabe has decided that he wants to rule his country for years to come. He has said he wishes to be in power till 2014.
The Zimbabwe opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai was seriously injured by police and one of his supporters was shot dead in an anti-government demonstration in Harare on Sunday. The oppositioon organized meeting was named ‘Save Zimbabwe prayer meeting’.
The police said ‘Tsvangirai and other top party officials were arrested as they instigated people to come out and commit acts of violence’. Police used water cannon and tear gas to disperse the crowds at the venue of the meeting.
Mugabe was quoted in the Southern Times newspaper as saying that he would run in 2008. Mugabe has said ‘If the party says so, I will stand’. But, he is determined to continue as president. The party had earlier preempted his move to extend his current term to 2010. Several leaders are determined to see a new party candidate for the 2008 elections.
Mugabe is already unpopular among the masses. People are upset by his long rule characterised by strongman tactics. He is in power ever since the country became independent in 1980.
Zimbabwe’s economic collapse, compounded by the controversial land reforms perpetrated by Mugabe and his supporters, has led to a dramatic growth of the oposition in recent times.
