AS IT HAPPENED: Mugabe doesn't resign in much-anticipated address to nation
2017-11-19 15:15
Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe has not resigned in his much-anticipated address to nation. He said he will preside over the next Zanu-PF congress. Follow the live updates.
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Mugabe is a 'defiant bugger'
Zimbabweans have been left angered and confused after President Robert Mugabe failed to resign, but instead delivered a cryptic speech.
They had gathered around televisions in anticipation of Mugabe's resignation, but instead were made to wait nearly two hours for his address on the state-owned Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation (ZBC).
Zimbabwe's war veterans association, which used to back President Robert Mugabe but now demands he quit, called on Sunday for protests after he made a TV address defying expectations he would resign.
Zimbabwe's war veterans association, which used to back President Robert Mugabe but now demands he quit, called Sunday for protests after he made a TV address defying expectations he would resign.
Mugabe defies resignation expectations in TV speech
Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe, in a much-expected TV address on Sunday, stressed he was still in power after his authoritarian 37-year reign was rocked by a military takeover.
"The (ruling ZANU-PF) party congress is due in a few weeks and I will preside over its processes," Mugabe said.
SABC says that streets in Zimbabwe are deserted. Zimbabweans are disappointed.
So Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe has not resigned in his much-anticipated address to nation. He said he will preside over the next Zanu-PF congress.
Mugabe has concluded his speech
Let us all move forward, reminding ourselves of our wartime mantra
We must learn to forgive and resolve contradictions, real or perceived
We cannot be guided by bitterness and vengefulness
As I conclude this address, I am aware that many developments have occurred in the party given the failings of the past and the anger these might have triggered in some quarters
Mugabe says there must be a clear roadmap to sort out things that affected the party negatively
To all this... must a general recognition that ZanuPF is a party of traditions
The era of victimisation and arbitrary decision must be put behind
There has to be a net return to the guiding principles of our party as enshrined in its constitution
I am aware that as a party of liberation - Zanu-PF has written elaborate rules and procedures
In respect of the party and the party issues raised.. these too stand acknowledged
Mugabe - We must all recognise that their participation in the war (veterans) exacted life-long costs.
Mugabe - The tradition of resistence is our collective legacy
Mugabe: There has to be a net return to the guiding principles of our party as enshrined in its constitution
Mugabe: The current criticism raised against by the command element and some of its elemnt has a reason... that the party was stretching and is even failing in its own procedure
Mugabe: I am aware that as a party of liberation - Zanu-PF has written elaborate rules and procedures
Mugabe: In respect of the party and the party issues raised.. these too stand acknowledged
Mugabe: We must all recognise that their participation in the war (veterans) exacted life-long costs.
Mugabe: The tradition of resistence is our collective legacy
Mugabe: Fellow Zimbabweans we are nation born out of a protracted struggle for national independence.
Mugabe: Open public spats between high ranking officials in the party... made the criticisms levelled against us inescapable.
ZIMBABWE STATE OF NATION ADDRESS BY PRES MUGABE: 19 Nov 2017
VIDEO
Mugabe now on TV to make his announcement
The generals have gone into a closed meeting with the President, says the state-owned Herald newspaper
Mugabe 'agrees to resign', says presidency source
Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe's 37-year rule appeared to have come to an end of Sunday after a source confirmed he had agreed to resign and was preparing to address the nation.
Mugabe's grip on power was broken last week when the military took over, angered at his wife Grace's emergence as the leading candidate to succeed the 93-year-old president.
"Yes he has agreed to resign," a source close to the presidency told AFP after Mugabe's expected television address to the nation was delayed.
From AP: Zimbabwe's
President Robert Mugabe is resigning after nearly four decades in power,
according to an official close to the talks on his departure.
The news came hours after the
ruling party's Central Committee on Sunday fired Mugabe as party leader and
said if he didn't resign as the country's president by noon Monday it would
start impeachment proceedings.
Mugabe was set to address the
nation shortly on state-run television. The official close to the talks spoke
on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak to reporters.
It is an extraordinary end to
37 years in power for the world's oldest head of state, who had vowed to rule
until death.
President Robert
Mugabe has agreed to resign after 37 years in power, following talks with the
military on Sunday, reports are saying.
Media briefing on Zimbabwe situation: 19 November 2017
VIDEO
From AP:
"President RG Mugabe to address the nation live from State House tonight. Please stay tuned," says a ticker announcement on the Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation channel.
Zimbabwe's President Robert Mugabe was to make a live television address on Sunday evening, state television announced, as the veteran leader faced the apparent end of his 37-year rule.
"President RG Mugabe to address the nation live from State House tonight. Please stay tuned," said a ticker announcement on the Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation channel.
Zimbabwe's state-run Herald newspaper has tweeted photos of longtime President Robert Mugabe meeting for a second time with the army commander who put him under house arrest days ago.
Mugabe is said to be seeking more time as talks continue on his departure after nearly four decades in power.
But the ruling party is impatient to see him leave, saying Mugabe must resign as president by noon Monday or face impeachment proceedings.
- AP
Mugabe's end game: How the president could leave power
Zimbabwe's ruling party ZANU-PF sacked President Robert Mugabe as party leader on Sunday marking the accelerating collapse of the 93-year-old's support and power base.
Following mass demonstrations calling for him to go, negotiations between Mugabe and the army resumed to plot the end of the president's regime after the army seized power earlier this week.
Mnangagwa: Zimbabwe's 'Comeback Crocodile'
Emmerson Mnangagwa is well-placed to become the next leader of Zimbabwe, after his sacking as vice president triggered the military's intervention and the fall of Robert Mugabe.
On Sunday Mnangagwa was named as president of the ruling ZANU-PF party in place of Mugabe, putting him one step away from the top job with Mugabe told to resign or be forced from office.
Nicknamed "Ngwena" (The Crocodile) because of his fearsome power and ruthlessness, Mnangagwa, 75, appeared to have been outfoxed by Mugabe's wife Grace.
