By Cris Chinaka
HARARE Dec 12 (Reuters) – Zimbabwe expects its strong
economic recovery to continue next year from a decade of
decline, but it may be slowed down by a fierce contest in
elections that veteran President Robert Mugabe’s party wants
before the end of 2012.
In his 2012 budget statement, Finance Minister Tendai Biti
projected Zimbabwe’s gross domestic product (GDP) would expand
by 9.4 percent in 2012 from an estimated 9.3 percent this
year.
But Biti warned the growth prospects were fragile due to
political uncertainty, potential for instability and discord
over policies in a unity government that Mugabe was forced to
form with rival Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai following
disputed polls in 2008.
Mugabe’s ZANU-PF party militants blocked Tsvangirai from
holding some rallies last month, and several violent clashes
between their youth wings forced ZANU-PF and the Movement for
Democratic Change (MDC) to convene a peace congress to ease
tensions and start work on a code of conduct for election
campaigning.
Tsvangirai, 59, says he will win any free and fair poll but
has to fight for the creation of a conducive environment after a
violent drive by ZANU-PF forced him to drop out of a runoff
presidential race against Mugabe three years ago.
Analysts say Mugabe, 87, is pressing for polls a year ahead
of schedule because of his advancing age and failing health.
RISE IN INTER-PARTY VIOLENCE
Continued…
