Post date: Feb 20, 2012 7:55:42 PM
Over the weekend he accused his political rivals of trying to use constitutional reforms to get rid of him, but warned that his ZANU-PF party would reject any changes threatening its future, according to the Sunday Mail newspaper.
Mugabe, who was forced into a coalition government following disputed elections in 2008, is seeking to extend his 32 years in power in an early poll that he wants held this year, 12 months ahead of schedule.
In an interview with the state-owned newspaper, Mugabe charged that lawyers hired to draft a new national charter and rivals from Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai's Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) had "erred" by including issues not gathered from a public survey.
Asked about clauses in the first draft that could bar him from running for another term, Mugabe said although he had not yet read the document, such a proposal and the inclusion of gay rights would not be accepted by his party.
A draft constitution published early this month trims presidential powers and limits terms to a maximum of 10 years, barring Mugabe who has been in office since the southern African country's independence from Britain in 1980.
Mugabe has been nominated as his ZANU-PF party's candidate and intends to run in an election he wants held in 2012. Under the power-sharing deal with Tsvangirai, elections must be held by next year with a new constitution drawn up ahead of the poll.
A referendum on the new constitution is expected to be held later this year.
In the interview, Mugabe mocked Tsvangirai and the MDC as impotent for protesting his recent reappointment of security commanders accused by the opposition of blocking democratic reforms.
There was no immediate comment from the MDC on Mugabe's interview in which he also attacked Finance Minister Tendai Biti, a senior MDC figure, for slowing Zimbabwe's economic recovery by starving the key farming sector of funds.
The interview made no mention of Mugabe's health despite regular local media reports that the veteran leader is receiving regular treatment for prostate cancer in the Far East.
Asked how he would like to be remembered, Mugabe said: "Just for what I am. A man, a lover of my people and a fighter of the oppressors of my people."
The EU on Friday (February 17) extended an arms embargo and a freeze on development aid to Zimbabwe for another 6 months calling for deeper political reforms. However they removed a third of the people from the list of those affected by asset freezes and visa bans and lifted a prohibition on European companies doing business with 20 Zimbabwean entities.
Zimbabwe's President Robert Mugabe will be turning 88 this week and indicated that he plans seek to extend his 32-year rule in an early poll this year.
HARARE, ZIMBABWE (FEBRUARY 20, 2012) (REUTERS - Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe turns 88 on Tuesday (February 21) for which he plans to hold a lavish party at the weekend.