Maravi

Makoni party funded by UK: WikiLeaks

Makoni party funded by UK: WikiLeaks
09/09/2011 00:00:00
by Staff Reporter

SIMBA Makoni’s 2008 presidential bid was in part funded by the UK government, leaked United States diplomatic cables reveal. The former Finance Minister quit Zanu PF to run as an independent, the result of growing disenchantment within the party over President Robert Mugabe’s reluctance to give up power.

Makoni ran against Mugabe and the MDC-T leader Morgan Tsvangirai, finishing third in the first round vote with 8,3 percent behind Mugabe (43,2 percent) and Tsvangirai (47.9 percent).

Former United States ambassador James McGee, in a March 13, 2008, diplomatic cable leaked by whistleblower website, WikiLeaks, admitted his country had also offered Makoni financial support.

“The negative impression of the U.S. as a supporter of regime change had made it difficult for Makoni to accept Western support without becoming tainted.
“Therefore, Makoni did not want our financial support,” McGee said.

But McGee found this position slightly inconsistent, adding: “British ambassador to Zimbabwe Andrew Pocock told the Ambassador on March 12 that the UK has provided financial assistance to the Makoni campaign.
“We have also received reports that South African businessmen are supporting Makoni.”

The Political Parties (Finance) Act prohibits political parties and candidates for public office from receiving funds from foreign donors, whether channelled directly or indirectly, and Poccok’s claims would seem to suggest Makoni broke the law.

While the law exists, few are under the illusion that any of Zimbabwe’s political parties are supported only by internal donors.

In a February 2010 cable, current US ambassador to Zimbabwe Charles Ray said MDC-T treasurer Roy Bennett had admitted that his party was bankrolled by the United States and some unnamed European countries.

Ray said in the memo: “According to Bennett, Western aid (primarily EU and U.S.) has had a strong focus on the MDC as a party. While this has been appreciated, it has not done enough to build the party's capacity to provide government services or manage the bureaucracy.”

Labels: CHARLES RAY, MDC, SIMBA MAKONI, WIKILEAKS

posted by MrK @ 4:07 AM