THE DISASSOCIATED PRESS - Zimbabwe remains in a state of democratic limbo, as the runoff which was supposed to end a more than month long impasse in the general elections may be canceled.
President Robert Mugabe, who came second in the initial round of voting, but remained in power because the opposition failed to secure enough votes for an outright victory, is challenging the runoff, claiming that it would be both unfair and undemocratic.
"A runoff wouldn't do the voters of Zimbabwe justice," Mugabe said in a press statement released Monday. "It wouldn't be an even contest. The arthritis in my knee is flaring up again, which would severely hamper my performance in a footrace of any kind."
Mugabe also accused opposition leader Morgan Tsvangarai of attempting to derail the democratic process, alleging that Tsvangari stole his lucky Nikes and hid his glucosamine tablets - ensuring that Mugabe would be at a disadvantage in the event of a runoff.
Footraces have become the preferred method for dispute resolution in many African nations, as runaway inflation has taken rocks, paper, and scissors out of the hands of most consumers.
