Report: Zimbabwe's Mugabe plans to retire in 2008

NAIROBI, Kenya (AP) _ Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe plans to retire when his terms ends in 2008 and has begun searching for a successor, a Kenyan newspaper reported Saturday. <br/><br/>Mugabe has ruled

Saturday, May 15th 2004, 11:00 am

By: News On 6

NAIROBI, Kenya (AP) _ Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe plans to retire when his terms ends in 2008 and has begun searching for a successor, a Kenyan newspaper reported Saturday.

Mugabe has ruled the southern African nation since its independence from Britain in 1980.

``I want to retire from politics. I have had enough,'' Mugabe was quoted as saying by Kenya's East African Standard newspaper. ``I have not even completed this term, I have four more years and I am not so young.''

The 80-year-old Mugabe said he ``would like to concentrate on writing after this term in office is over.''

Zimbabwe has been wracked by political violence and economic turmoil in recent years as Mugabe's government has seized thousands of white-owned farms for redistribution to blacks. Seeking to crack down on dissent, the government has arrested opposition leaders, trade unionists and independent journalists.

However, Mugabe said problems in finding a successor have led to a power struggle in the top leadership of his ruling ZANU-PF party.

``They are fighting and some are even going to consult with witch doctors,'' Mugabe said.

Zimbabwe faces acute shortages of food, medicine, hard currency, gasoline and other essential goods. Unemployment is estimated at more than 70 percent.

Annual inflation is estimated at 602 percent.

U.N. agencies say about 5.3 million Zimbabweans will need food aid in the next year following the collapse of local production.

But last month, Mugabe said inflation was beginning to fall and the country was on the verge of an economic boom resulting from land reform.