"The Zimbabwe of today ... is a nation full of fear, a nation in deep stress, a tense and polarised nation, a nation also characterised by disease and extreme poverty," Makoni said at the manifesto launch in Harare.

"However, we believe that solving these problems will not be intractable, once we remove these barriers and impediments that bar the expression and pursuit of our common interest and common purpose."

Were he elected, Makoni promised to "address national issues that separate and divide us as a nation and institute a process of national healing and reconciliation."

Having been kicked out of Mugabe's ruling Zimbabwe African National Union - Patriotic Front (Zanu PF), Makoni is standing as an independent in the joint presidential and parliamentary elections scheduled for March 29.

At the launch, Makoni urged other members of the ruling party to join him in the quest to prevent the 83-year-old Mugabe to win a sixth term in office.

"I particularly invite those compatriots who have been pushed into despair and despondency, but have the qualities of leadership to please enter the race.

"I also invite those in Zanu PF who ... share our yearning for renewal to contest the election as independent candidates under our banner," said Makoni whose logo features a rising sun.

"The time for decision has come. Jump off the fence, climb out of the false comfort zones."

The elections are taking place against a backdrop of an economic meltdown in Zimbabwe which has an official inflation rate of more than 26,000 percent, the highest in the world.

Unemployment stands at around 80 percent, even basic foodstuffs are scare while the general infrastructure is rapidly crumbling.

In the manifesto, Makoni pledged to "undertake immediate and urgent tasks to resolve the food, power and fuel, water and sanitation problems, restore health and educational services."

He also outlined plans for a new constitution after a nationwide consultation process as well as rethink on the controversial land reforms which have seen most of the whites-owned farms expropriated by government.