News / National
Mnangagwa should succeed Mugabe-- Britain
09 Sep 2016 at 15:34hrs | Views
Vice-President Emmerson Mnangagwa is reportedly the British government favorite candidate to take over power from the 92-year-old president Robert Mugabe.
As such, the former colonisers have crafted "a grand plan to steer Zimbabwe through its turbulent political transition centred on succeeding President Robert Mugabe with a US$2 billion economic bailout underwriting the project" Zimbabwe Independent reported.
However, the publication said big European powers, including Germany and France, are not supporting the British political designs in Zimbabwe.
"Diplomats also say the Americans, the Chinese, and South Africans — critical players on the Zimbabwe issue — have not endorsed the Mnangagwa plan,British" the publication The British ambassador to Zimbabwe Catriona Laing is said to have come to Harare in September 2014 with a mission to rebuild bridges and ensure that re-engagement succeeds to facilitate Mnangagwa's rise to power.
"Since her arrival, Laing has been clearly pushing for re-engagement, not the isolation of Zimbabwe," a senior Western diplomat is quoted saying.
"Her policy actions, moves, and pronouncements have all been calculated to achieve that. Britain wants Zimbabwe to get the US$2 billion in new funding as part of the Lima debt and arrears clearance strategy despite its insistence on three conditions: human rights, good governance and rule of law and economic reforms. London is doing all it can to meet its side of the bargain, but Harare is faltering."
British embassy spokesperson Tom Oppenheim said: "Media reports suggesting we back particular candidates are not accurate. Our position is clear. We do not and will not support any particular candidate, faction or party.
"Whoever governs Zimbabwe is a matter for the people of the country, our support for reform is not linked to any particular individual and the urgent need for reform need to be addressed by all politicians of all parties in this country."
As such, the former colonisers have crafted "a grand plan to steer Zimbabwe through its turbulent political transition centred on succeeding President Robert Mugabe with a US$2 billion economic bailout underwriting the project" Zimbabwe Independent reported.
However, the publication said big European powers, including Germany and France, are not supporting the British political designs in Zimbabwe.
"Diplomats also say the Americans, the Chinese, and South Africans — critical players on the Zimbabwe issue — have not endorsed the Mnangagwa plan,British" the publication The British ambassador to Zimbabwe Catriona Laing is said to have come to Harare in September 2014 with a mission to rebuild bridges and ensure that re-engagement succeeds to facilitate Mnangagwa's rise to power.
"Since her arrival, Laing has been clearly pushing for re-engagement, not the isolation of Zimbabwe," a senior Western diplomat is quoted saying.
"Her policy actions, moves, and pronouncements have all been calculated to achieve that. Britain wants Zimbabwe to get the US$2 billion in new funding as part of the Lima debt and arrears clearance strategy despite its insistence on three conditions: human rights, good governance and rule of law and economic reforms. London is doing all it can to meet its side of the bargain, but Harare is faltering."
British embassy spokesperson Tom Oppenheim said: "Media reports suggesting we back particular candidates are not accurate. Our position is clear. We do not and will not support any particular candidate, faction or party.
"Whoever governs Zimbabwe is a matter for the people of the country, our support for reform is not linked to any particular individual and the urgent need for reform need to be addressed by all politicians of all parties in this country."
Source - online
