(NEWZIMBABWE) I’ve done my part: Mutambara

I’ve done my part: Mutambara
by Staff Reporter
17/12/2010 00:00:00

MDC-M leader, Professor Arthur Mutambara, has announced that he will step aside at the party’s congress next month to allow secretary general Welshman Ncube to take-over as party leader.

The party had been in a bit of a pickle as Ncube was one a number of key officials that had served out two terms and were, thus, ineligible, under the party’s current constitution, to stand again in those positions. Mutambara’s decision to step aside ends the prospect of a potentially divisive contest for the presidency at the party’s congress in January.

“I am not running for re-election at the next congress. I have done my part and I would like to give an opportunity to other colleagues to assume leadership positions. My time was productive and it’s time for another leader,” Mutambara told a local, privately-owned daily newspaper.

He said the national congress had caused divisions in his party but hoped his withdrawal from the race would lead to unity.

“By not participating, I hope there will be unity in the party. I’m not standing for any nomination in the provincial councils or leadership positions but I will remain a member of the party. I don’t have to be a leader to be politically involved,” Mutambara said.

His announcement came on the back of a decision by the MDC-M’s Harare province to join several other party structures that have already announced they would back Professor Ncube.

Mutambara was invited to lead the MDC-M in February 2006 following the acrimonious split of MDC in 2005.

He however, did not contest the 2008 presidential elections after the party decided to back Mavambo Kusile leader, Simba Makoni who came a distant third behind MDC-T leader Morgan Tsvangirai and Zanu PF leader Robert Mugabe.

As leader of the MDC-M he was appointed Deputy Prime Minister in the coalition government following a deal brokered by the regional SADC grouping after the presidential run-off poll between Mugabe and Tsvangirai proved inconclusive.

Mutambara said he would continue to work a good congress as well as provide leadership until are president was elected.

"We are trying to build a new culture in Africa where leaders come and go while institutions remain. We are also emphasising the notion that there is a difference between leadership and position of authority," he said.