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Zimbabwe's Robert Mugabe vows to stay on despite party pressure | Zimbabwe's Robert Mugabe vows to stay on despite party pressure |
(about 1 hour later) | |
Zimbabwe's embattled leader Robert Mugabe has vowed to stay in power for several weeks, despite mounting calls for him to stand down now. | Zimbabwe's embattled leader Robert Mugabe has vowed to stay in power for several weeks, despite mounting calls for him to stand down now. |
In a live TV address, Mr Mugabe said he would preside over the ruling party's congress in December. | In a live TV address, Mr Mugabe said he would preside over the ruling party's congress in December. |
Zanu-PF earlier sacked him as party leader, and gave him less than 24 hours to resign as president or be impeached. | Zanu-PF earlier sacked him as party leader, and gave him less than 24 hours to resign as president or be impeached. |
His grip on power has weakened since the military intervened on Wednesday, in a row over who should succeed him. | His grip on power has weakened since the military intervened on Wednesday, in a row over who should succeed him. |
The crisis began when the 93-year-old president sacked his deputy, Emmerson Mnangagwa, two weeks ago, angering army commanders who saw it as an attempt to position his wife as his successor. | The crisis began when the 93-year-old president sacked his deputy, Emmerson Mnangagwa, two weeks ago, angering army commanders who saw it as an attempt to position his wife as his successor. |
Mugabe defies expectations | Mugabe defies expectations |
Crowds had gathered in Harare to watch the speech, with Mr Mugabe widely expected to resign. | Crowds had gathered in Harare to watch the speech, with Mr Mugabe widely expected to resign. |
Instead though, flanked by military generals, he said "the [ruling Zanu-PF] party congress is due in a few weeks and I will preside over its processes". | |
President Mugabe acknowledged criticism from Zanu-PF, the military and public, and stressed the need to return Zimbabwe to normality. | President Mugabe acknowledged criticism from Zanu-PF, the military and public, and stressed the need to return Zimbabwe to normality. |
"Whatever the pros and cons of how they [the army] went about their operation, I, as commander-in-chief, do acknowledge their concerns," he said, in reference to the army's move last week to take over the state broadcaster. | |
The BBC's Africa Editor, Fergal Keane, said his understanding of the situation was that Mr Mugabe had agreed to resign, but then changed his mind. | The BBC's Africa Editor, Fergal Keane, said his understanding of the situation was that Mr Mugabe had agreed to resign, but then changed his mind. |
Confusion reigns in Zimbabwe | Confusion reigns in Zimbabwe |
By Andrew Harding, BBC Southern Africa correspondent | By Andrew Harding, BBC Southern Africa correspondent |
In his stumbling, 20-minute address, Robert Mugabe made no mention of the deafening calls, from the public and from his own party, to resign as president. | |
Instead, he declared that the military had done nothing wrong, by seizing power, and placing him under house arrest earlier in the week. | Instead, he declared that the military had done nothing wrong, by seizing power, and placing him under house arrest earlier in the week. |
The 93-year-old, reading from notes, and often losing his place, then implied he would remain Zimbabwe's leader at least until next month's Zanu-PF congress, ignoring the fact that earlier he was stripped of any official role within the party. | The 93-year-old, reading from notes, and often losing his place, then implied he would remain Zimbabwe's leader at least until next month's Zanu-PF congress, ignoring the fact that earlier he was stripped of any official role within the party. |
He did acknowledge failings, and factionalism in the government and party but made no mention of his wife, Grace, who was expelled from the party. | He did acknowledge failings, and factionalism in the government and party but made no mention of his wife, Grace, who was expelled from the party. |
Quite where this leaves the political stalemate here is unclear. Zanu-PF has vowed to impeach Mr Mugabe if he doesn't resign by noon (10:00 GMT) on Monday. | Quite where this leaves the political stalemate here is unclear. Zanu-PF has vowed to impeach Mr Mugabe if he doesn't resign by noon (10:00 GMT) on Monday. |
Mr Mugabe is clearly playing for time. But Zimbabwe's military leadership is now at odds with the newly purged governing party. Public frustration is growing. And a dangerously unpredictable standoff has now been prolonged. | Mr Mugabe is clearly playing for time. But Zimbabwe's military leadership is now at odds with the newly purged governing party. Public frustration is growing. And a dangerously unpredictable standoff has now been prolonged. |
Where does this leave Zimbabwe? | Where does this leave Zimbabwe? |
Earlier on Sunday, Mr Mnangagwa was named as Zanu-PF's new leader and candidate for the 2018 general elections. | Earlier on Sunday, Mr Mnangagwa was named as Zanu-PF's new leader and candidate for the 2018 general elections. |
At the same party meeting, Mr Mugabe's 52-year-old wife, Grace, was expelled, alongside a number of other senior officials. | At the same party meeting, Mr Mugabe's 52-year-old wife, Grace, was expelled, alongside a number of other senior officials. |
It is not entirely clear how Robert Mugabe can preside over Zanu-PF's congress next month, following his dismissal as party leader. | It is not entirely clear how Robert Mugabe can preside over Zanu-PF's congress next month, following his dismissal as party leader. |
Party positions are officially decided at the congress and Emmerson Mnangagwa may officially take over leading the country then. | Party positions are officially decided at the congress and Emmerson Mnangagwa may officially take over leading the country then. |
Mr Mnangagwa, a former state security chief, is nicknamed "the crocodile" for his perceived shrewdness. He fled Zimbabwe after his sacking a fortnight ago, but has since reportedly returned. | Mr Mnangagwa, a former state security chief, is nicknamed "the crocodile" for his perceived shrewdness. He fled Zimbabwe after his sacking a fortnight ago, but has since reportedly returned. |
What's the reaction been? | What's the reaction been? |
The head of the influential War Veterans Association, which used to back Mr Mugabe but now demands his resignation, told AFP they would call for further protests. | The head of the influential War Veterans Association, which used to back Mr Mugabe but now demands his resignation, told AFP they would call for further protests. |
"That speech has nothing to do with realities. We will go for impeachment and we are calling people back to the streets," said Chris Mutsvangwa. | "That speech has nothing to do with realities. We will go for impeachment and we are calling people back to the streets," said Chris Mutsvangwa. |
Impeaching the president would require a two-thirds majority in both houses of Zimbabwe's parliament, which is due to resume on Tuesday. | Impeaching the president would require a two-thirds majority in both houses of Zimbabwe's parliament, which is due to resume on Tuesday. |
The opposition MDC-T party has tried unsuccessfully to impeach Mr Mugabe in the past, but this time the ruling party - which has an overwhelming majority in both houses - is likely to go against him. | The opposition MDC-T party has tried unsuccessfully to impeach Mr Mugabe in the past, but this time the ruling party - which has an overwhelming majority in both houses - is likely to go against him. |
Opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai said he was "baffled" by the president's address. | Opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai said he was "baffled" by the president's address. |
"He's playing a game. He has let the whole nation down," he told Reuters news agency. | "He's playing a game. He has let the whole nation down," he told Reuters news agency. |
Mr Mugabe has been leader of Zimbabwe for 37 years, having led the country since it gained independence from Britain in 1980. | Mr Mugabe has been leader of Zimbabwe for 37 years, having led the country since it gained independence from Britain in 1980. |