The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
People baffled as defiant Mugabe refuses to resign
Live television address ends with hint he may challenge ruling party
Zimbabwe’s president Robert Mugabe baffled the country last night by ending his address on national television without announcing his resignation.
The ruling party’s Central Committee had hours earlier told him to resign as president by noon today or face impeachment proceedings tomorrow.
Zimbabweans gathered in expectation of a celebration.
Instead, Mugabe appeared to hint at challenging the ruling party, which has expelled him as its leader, by trying to stay on.
Officials close to the talks between Mugabe and the military had said the president would resign.
Mugabe is 93 and had been backed by fellow veterans of the country’s liberation war, until they turned against him.
Zimbabweans said they felt profoundly disappointed that Mugabe is resisting pressure to step aside.
Victor Matemadanda, secretary general of the country’s war veterans’ association, said he feels betrayed.
He said: “He is playing games with the people of Zimbabwe. He agrees to go and then plays games with us like that at the last minute.”
Zimbabweans who gathered at a bar in the capital to celebrate the expected resignation said they are frustrated.
One said: “I would be happy for him, despite everything he has done, to leave with dignity and just walk away . ... He is so stubborn.”
Another added: “Mugabe is a dictator and he’ll always be a dictator.”