Mugabe refuses to resign

Zimbabwe’s president Robert Mugabe refused to resign last night following increasing pressure from the people of the country and the military.

Mugabe, aged 93, was expected to give up the presidency last night in a televised address to the nation – and the rest of the world. Instead, he announced that he would oversee the Zanu-PF party – of which he is the leader – congress in a few weeks’ time: “I will preside over its processes, which must not be prepossessed by any acts calculated to undermine it or to compromise the outcomes in the eyes of the public”.

The speech went on for 20 minutes and followed days of tension in the African country after a military presence appeared around the country with tanks in the streets. Despite the military saying it was not a coup, it certainly looked like one. Mugabe was put on house arrest and was in conference talks with the army over his future as president.

Now Mugabe has until 10 am to resign before action is taken. This action is likely to be impeachment as the Zanu-PF party has now dismissed him as party leader, putting his political future – and the future of Zimbabwe – on the line.

What remains to be seen is a democratic transition of power and then, hopefully, a democratic process in Zimbabwe where free and fair elections can be held. We keep our fingers crossed.