[ 2011-09-03 ]

Mugabe to 'hold Zimbabwe polls in early 2012'
HARARE (AFP) - President Robert Mugabe said
Zimbabwe will hold elections early next year and
raised concerns on the delay of the country's
constitutional programme, state-media reported on
Saturday.

"We cannot go beyond March next year," Mugabe was
quoted as saying by the state-run Herald while
addressing his ZANU-PF members.

"I will definitely announce the date.

"Once I announce the date, everyone will follow. I
have the constitutional right to name an election
date with the GPA (Global Political Agreement) or
no GPA."

Mugabe's announcement marks a major about-turn for
the veteran leader who has previously said
elections would be held this year.

Last year, ZANU-PF nominated Mugabe as its party's
candidate for the elections.

He complained that the constitution-making process
was being drawn out, accusing the constitutional
teams of "dilly-dallying" to delay the polls.

"It appears that those we put in place to manage
the process are proceeding at a snail's pace," he
said. "One wonders whether the delay is genuine or
not," he added.

Zimbabwe's coalition government parties are still
to implement agreed key reforms that will set the
pace for elections.

Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai and his MDC have
demanded real reforms before any vote.

Meanwhile, Mugabe said that he would not allow any
reforms to the security sector.

"The security forces remain what they are. We have
one of the best armies in Africa. We fought the
struggle here. We helped the struggle in
Mozambique, DRC and served the UN peacekeeping
missions," he said.

"If there is any force to be proud of in Africa,
it is the Zimbabwe National Army."

Source - AFP

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