Mugabe signs new constitution, clearing way for poll

Zimbabwe president Robert Mugabe has signed a new constitution into law, replacing a 33-year-old document forged in the dying days of British colonial rule and paving the way for an election later this year.

Approved in a referendum in March, the constitution clips the powers of the president and imposes a two-term limit. How­ever, it does not apply retroactively so the 89-year-old Mugabe could extend his three decades in office by another ten years.

The constitution was rewritten under terms of a power-sharing deal between Mr Mugabe and his main political rival, prime minister Morgan Tsvangirai after elections in 2008 were marred by violence. The five-year coalition government formed under the same agreement expires on 29 June, and parliamentary and presidential elections should follow within 90 days of that date.

However, many obstacles remain, not least finding the estimated £86.5 million needed to pay for the election and reaching agreement on outside monitors. Mr Mugabe has rejected offers of help from the United Nations and the 15-nation Southern African Development Community. “We rejected this,” he told reporters after the signing ceremony, adding that any vote would be fair. “We will ensure there won’t be any violence, that there won’t be any rigging.”

The date has not been set, though Mr Mugabe is said to want it before July while the opposition would like it later.