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CNN Live Saturday

Interview With Chris Fomunyoh

Aired March 09, 2002 - 17:13   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
FREDRICKA WHITFIELD, CNN ANCHOR: A presidential election continues tomorrow in Zimbabwe, where long lines of voters snaked around many polling places today. Some waited as long as 15 hours, only to be turned away. Incumbent President Robert Mugabe is facing a strong challenge from a former trade unionist, Morgan Tsvangirai.

Imagine living in a country where unemployment is 60 percent, inflation goes up 100 percent in two years, one in four adults is infected with AIDS, and the same president has been in office for 22 years. That's what life is like in Zimbabwe. Joining us to talk more about that is Chris Fomunyoh. He is of the National Democratic Institute. Thanks for joining us.

CHRIS FOMUNYOH, NATIONAL DEMOCRATIC INSTITUTE: My pleasure.

WHITFIELD: Well, Chris, how much of this election, the first very heated election in 22 years, how much of this is really fueled by fear, how much of it is fueled by hope?

FOMUNYOH: I think you touched on the two issues that are defining themes for the current elections in Zimbabwe. And I think what we are seeing also is a contest of generations, between the leadership of President Mugabe, who was part of the liberation movement but who has been in power for well over 20 years, and who still talks about Zimbabwe in the past in terms of the history; and on the other hand, Morgan Tsvangirai, who is of a younger generation, and he is talking more about hope and the future and being able to tackle the problems that Zimbabwians face today.

WHITFIELD: And given that, it sounds like then you have an awful lot of people who are torn between the loyalty of Mugabe, who helped get things started after colonialism, and those newer, the younger folks who are looking toward a newer Zimbabwe, who are transfixed on education, on computers, on technology, and are hoping for change.

FOMUNYOH: Yeah. People may be torn, but I think people are also kind of turned away by the polarization of political disgust in Zimbabwe in the last two years, the amount of violence and intimidation that they've seen. And in some ways, I believe that has even pushed more Zimbabwians to want to make their voices heard at all costs, and in some ways that also explains the long lines that we've seen of voters who have been out since 5:00 a.m. this morning, trying desperately to cast a vote and to be heard and counted. WHITFIELD: In the U.S., when it's time for election, we all become accustomed to fund-raising efforts, the campaigning taking place. Can you paint a picture for us as to what was taking place in all parts, the urban as well as the remote areas of Zimbabwe as Robert Mugabe may have been leading up to their race or perhaps the opposition leader, Tsvangirai.

FOMUNYOH: Well, you know, we -- I think there were genuine efforts on the part of the opposition leader to get his message out and to be able to campaign freely across the country. We know, obviously, that President Mugabe had more resources than the opposition, and he did go out and campaign. But we also did watch with a lot of dismay the amount of violence and intimidation that was reported. Some opposition rallies being attacked, and even opposition poll watches being arrested just two days ago from election day.

So I think there's been a lot of intimidation that has maybe (UNINTELLIGIBLE) polarized, and has raised some fears that come early next week, when the winner is announced, it may be difficult for the country to come together again.

WHITFIELD: So the polling stations are closed for today, they reopen again tomorrow. Expected to see lines just like we did early this morning, starting at 3:00 a.m. Thanks you very, Chris Fomunyoh, of the National Democratic Institute, for joining us from Washington.

FOMUNYOH: It's my pleasure.

WHITFIELD: So tomorrow, day two of the Zimbabwe presidential elections.

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