Zimbabwe: Mugabe refuses to quit, party sets deadline
Harare, Nov 20 (IBNS): Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe can face further humiliation after he refused to quit his post as his party has already set the nonagenarian a deadline, reports said.
The incumbent Zanu-PF party has already stripped Mugabe of its leadership and has said it will impeach him if he does not step down by 12:00 local time on Monday.
Mugabe surprised everyone after he declared he's not leaving his post in a 20-minute long speech.
The senior politician has ruled the nation for 30 years as the President and seven more years before that as the Prime Minister.
A popular leader, Mugabe's rapid fall started only two weeks ago, after one of his decisions backfired.
In a move to facilitate his wife, Grace, Mugabe sacked his powerful Vice-President Emmerson Mnangagwa two weeks ago, which resulted in a political turmoil.
The military soon took over on Wednesday and placed the 93-year-old under house arrest, which according to him was the 'right move'.
The Zanu-PF has named Mnangagwa as their new leader and candidate for the 2018 national polls.
The party has also axed Grace Mugabe.
Mnangagwa, nicknamed the 'crocodile' for his political acumen and shrewdness, reportedly fled the nation after he his sacking, but has returned since.
He has in the past held important positions, including that of looking after the country's defence and security.
Meanwhile, Mugabe's allies too have advised him to step down.
Chris Mutsvangwa, associated head of The War Veteran's Association, one of Mugabe's biggest supporters, told the BBC, "Thirty-seven years, you have had your time, you are toast now politically. Please give the country a chance, let it move to the next page."
Opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai told Reuters news agency, "He's playing a game. He has let the whole nation down."
Image: Wallpaper
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