Source: Old friend inspires possible Mugabe comeback – DailyNews Live
Andrew Kunambura 13 May 2018
HARARE – The return to the throne of 93-year-old former Malaysian Prime
Minister Mahathir Mohamad appears to have stirred some cemented belief in
winning the forthcoming poll by newly-formed opposition party, the
National Patriotic Front (NPF).
Perhaps it could inspire a possible comeback of former president Robert
Mugabe.
The two strongmen share almost a similar political career script, which
principally has been the basis of a rather obstinate thought that belies
the NPF that Mugabe – the party’s founding elder – could defy the odds and
make a similar stunning comeback to the helm of Zimbabwe.
Mohamad, a long time personal friend of Mugabe’s, was prime minister of
Malaysia from 1981 to 2003, making him the longest-serving leader in that
country.
During his reign, he became friends with Mugabe, especially immediately
after the year 2000 when Mugabe’s government fell out with the Western
powers over Harare’s chaotic land reform programme and sought alternative
allies in the Far East.
Mugabe would over the years frequent the far flung Asian nation for both
recreational and medical reasons.
Mohamad served his first lengthy period in office under the United Malays
National Organisation (UMNO), before forming his own party, Parti Pribumi
Bersatu Malaysia (Malaysian United Indigenous Party, MUIP) just two years
ago in 2016 at the age of 91.
In the Thursday election, Mohamad brushed aside doubts that he would
become Malaysia’s prime minister again following his shock election
victory over the UMNO which had ruled the Southeast Asian nation for 61
years – since Malaysia got independence from Britain in 1957.
On his part, Mugabe – who is just a year older than Mohamad – ruled
Zimbabwe from 1980 to November last year when he was ousted in a soft
coup.
Mugabe did not waste time to determine his political future as he played
the leading role in the formation of the NPF which has said it would
challenge his old party, Zanu PF, at this year’s general elections.
Although the party’s interim leader is Ambrose Mutinhiri, conflicts that
have rocked it in recent weeks are seen as calculated attempts to bring in
a new leader, possibly Mugabe who still commands considerable popularity
in the countryside.
The authoritarian leader, Mohamad, is widely believed to have capitalised
on the general sense of disgruntlement of Malaysians against the
performance of Najib Razak, the man he has just succeeded.
Currently, there is general dissatisfaction with President Emmerson
Mnangagwa owing to his administration’s apparent failure to tame the
economy back on track after years of plunder.
And one of the key NPF exponents, Jonathan Moyo, has been quite excitable;
subtly suggesting that Mugabe must draw inspiration from his old friend to
take on his successor, Mnangagwa.
“Ninety-two-year-old former Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad’s
opposition party has ended Barisan Nasional (BN) party’s 61 year rule in
Malaysia by winning the majority seats in elections on Wednesday. Mahathir
set to be sworn in today (Thursday). Inspiring stuff,” Moyo cryptically
tweeted.
Mugabe still qualifies to contest for the presidency of the country in
terms of the 2013 Constitution since the only term he has served under was
short-lived.
Section 91(2) of the Constitution says: “A person is disqualified for
election as president or vice president if he or she has already held
office as president under this Constitution for two terms, whether
continuous or not.”
However, in terms of their economic performances, they are worlds apart.
When he left office, Mohamad left Malaysia’s economy booming whereas
Mugabe left behind a ruined economy characterised by high levels of
unemployment, low productivity and even shortage of money.
His salvation, however, could only arise from the fact that Mnangagwa has
so far failed to turn around the economy.
COMMENTS