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Mugabe to face Zanu-PF challenge Ex-ally to fight Mugabe in poll
(10 minutes later)
A senior member of Zimbabwe's ruling party has said he will challenge President Robert Mugabe in 29 March polls as an independent candidate.A senior member of Zimbabwe's ruling party has said he will challenge President Robert Mugabe in 29 March polls as an independent candidate.
"I offer myself as candidate for the office of president," former finance minister Simba Makoni told reporters."I offer myself as candidate for the office of president," former finance minister Simba Makoni told reporters.
He is seen as coming from the moderate wing of the Zanu-PF but does not have a strong support base. He is seen as coming from the moderate wing of the Zanu-PF but does not have a strong grass-roots support base.
The two opposition Movement for Democratic Change factions are each fielding candidates in the election.The two opposition Movement for Democratic Change factions are each fielding candidates in the election.
In its December congress, Zanu-PF endorsed Mr Mugabe as its presidential candidate in the 29 March election, despite speculation that he would face a challenge from within his party.
PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES Robert Mugabe, Zanu-PFMorgan Tsvangirai, MDCArthur Mutambara, MDCSimba Makoni, Independent
Other senior party officials than Mr Makoni had been seen as Mr Mugabe's most likely challengers, but none of them has challenged Zimbabwe's long-time leader in public.
Mr Makoni has been mentioned as a possible compromise candidate between different Zanu-PF factions and even the opposition for many years.
After being sacked as finance minister in 2002, he moved to South Africa.
The MDC had insisted on a new constitution before the elections, as well as guarantees they would be free and fair.
Previous polls have been characterised by violence and allegations of fraud.
Zimbabwe has the world's highest annual rate of inflation - 26,000% - and only an estimated one adult in five has a job.
Mr Mugabe's critics blame the economic crisis on his policies, especially the seizure of white-owned farms.
He blames a western plot to bring him down.