Simba Makoni

Simba Makoni is Zimbabwe's former Finance Minister under President Robert Mugabe. Makoni is no longer affiliated with Mugabe's administration and ran against him as an independent in the 2008 presidential election. Although Makoni's education made him popular amongst Zimbabwean intellectuals, he came in third place in the first round of elections.

Makoni came in third place in the first round of the 2008 presidential election. He earned 8.7% of the popular vote, behind incumbent Robert Mugabe's 43.2% and first-round winner Morgan Tsvangirai's 47.9%.BBC: Zimbabwe announces poll results (May 2, 2008) Since neither Mugabe nor Tsvangirai earned greater than 50%, they are scheduled for a run-off election June 27, 2008.Reuters: What next in Zimbabwe's election? (June 10, 2008)

• Google News: Simba Makoni
• Reuters:: What next in Zimbabwe's election? (June 10, 2008)
• NPR: Mugabe Faces Strong Challenge in Zimbabwe Vote (March 27, 2008)
• Bloomberg: Zimbabwe Poll Candidate to Float Currency If Elected (March 26, 2008)
  • "The Zimbabwe dollar is worth what the market says it is worth...let the market decide and things will turn out fine."
• Times Online: "Is Simba Makoni the man who can take on Mugabe?" (February 6, 2008)
• The Independent: "Mugabe faces ... former minister launches bid to take presidency" (February 6, 2008)
• WashingtonPost.com: "Former Finance Minister to Challenge Mugabe ..." (February 5, 2008)
• AllAfrica.com: Zimbabwe: Simba Makoni Joins Presidential Race (February 5, 2008)
• Reuters: FACTBOX: Who is Zimbabwe's Simba Makoni? (February 5, 2008)
• CNN: Mugabe's Ex-Finance Minister to Run Against Him (February 5, 2008)
• Economist: A Serious Rival, at Last? (January 17, 2008)