Difficult choices

from
UN Integrated Regional Information Networks

via allAfrica:

After noting Kenya's post election violence, they write:
Zimbabwe's opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) has long complained about the unfairness of the political contest, from restrictions on campaigning to access to the media. Since the 2000 election when the MDC first emerged, election observers have routinely condemned the organisation of the ballot and the environment of intimidation.

A new element, likely to make next month's election even edgier, is the decision by Zimbabwe's former finance minister, Simba Makoni, to challenge President Robert Mugabe, 83, as an independent candidate. This has heightened tensions in ZANU-PF, where a post-Mugabe succession debate has been simmering.

"The most vicious violence could be the fights among former ZANU-PF allies, who have been split into two factions: those supporting Makoni and those supporting Mugabe," political commentator Paddington Japajapa told IRIN.