Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe has extended his rule until at least 2010 in a move destined to prolong the country's international isolation.
Mugabe, 82, has ruled since independence from Britain in 1980, first as prime minister and later as president. At the ruling party Zanu-PF's annual conference, the government passed a controversial resolution to "harmonize" presidential elections -- currently due in 2008 -- with the parliamentary poll in 2010.
The move has infuriated Zanu-PF moderates who were hoping to use the conference to refocus on the collapsing economy and rebuild bridges with Western donors who have suspended aid.
Instead, Mugabe attacked his traditional foes, including US President George W. Bush and British Prime Minister Tony Blair, accusing them of seeking regime change by imposing economic sanctions.
"I am what I am because you people made me what I am. When I stand against Mr Bush and Mr Blair and say you cannot cause regime change in Zimbabwe, I know I have your support behind me," he said to the 4,000 cheering delegates.
The extension of Mugabe's mandate, which dashes earlier suggestions by the president that he would retire in 2008 to concentrate on writing his memoirs, has already been adopted by eight of the ruling party's 10 provincial executives.
Officially, Zanu-PF says it wants to postpone the presidential vote to save money. Zimbabwe's staggered electoral system results in elections every two years, bringing high costs and widespread voter apathy.
But many see it as the first step to extending Mugabe's rule even further -- fears that were fueled following comments by Land Minister Didymus Mutasa, last week that Mugabe should officially become president-for-life.
"Given regional pressure after elections in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Zambia there will be much more election monitoring in 2008," Harare-based analyst John Robertson said.
"He [Mugabe] doesn't want to put people's anger to the test -- the hardship is worsening," the analyst said.
In an interview with a Canadian TV station, Mugabe said that he would only retire when Zanu-PF wanted him to go.
"I will retire, of course, some day, but it all depends on the circumstances. I can't retire if my party is going to be in shambles. But any day we feel we are ready for that retirement -- that is we as a party feel we are ready for it -- sure," Mugabe was quoted as saying by the state-run Herald newspaper.
The controversy comes amid mounting economic difficulties in Zimbabwe which has endured eight years of recession characterized by shortages of food and hyper-inflation touching 1,100 percent.
The extension is also bound to heighten fears of a vicious succession battle.
"This will also give Mugabe the chance to purge the party of all undesirables," said Reggie Moyo, spokesman for the civil society organization the National Constitutional Assembly.
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