The sacked vice president of Zimbabwe, Emmerson Mnanagagwa has said that President Robert Mugabe must resign to protect his legacy as he refuses to return to the country until his personal security is guaranteed.
The man nicknamed “The crocodile” on Tuesday issued a statement in which he confirmed holding talks with his former boss over the current political crisis in Zimbabwe.
Mnangagwa said “His Excellency, Cde Robert Gabriel Mugabe has always said that if the people don’t want him he will leave office, now that they have spoken he must now ACCEPT the will of the people and resign.”
“President Mugabe in his televised State of the Nation Address admitted to a number of a latent disregard to the interest of the people and dereliction of duty, surely after making such an admission common sense dictates that it should have been followed by an apology and immediate resignation to save the legacy of our struggle.” Emmerson added.
Mnangagwa’s sacking by President Mugabe is seen as the major incident that triggered the takeover by the military which has led to what many consider a revolution to get the 93 year old leader out of office.
(AP Photo/Tsvangirayi Mukwazhi)
The 75 year old left the country shortly after he was sacked and he said “I told the President that I would not return home now until I am satisfied of my personal security, because of the manner and treatment given to me upon being fired,”
The war veteran who was a close ally of Mr. Mugabe for years said “In my conversation with the president I told him that there are two options, that is (a) to co-operate in the current negotiations with comrades from the defence forces for a peaceful resolution of this crisis, which would result in the preservation of his legacy. (b) that if he continues to dig in, in defiance of the will of the people, he might suffer humiliation because definitely the will of the people will prevail against one person.”
“l am aware that the nation at large has been protesting against the incumbent and I believe they have a right to protest in terms of our constitution. I am also aware that the party has passed resolutions in terms of the party constitution. They have a right to do so. I will not stand in the way of the people and my party.” – Emmerson Mnangagwa
Members of parliament will on Tuesday begin impeachment process to force their President Robert Mugabe out of office.
The process was sanctioned by Zimbabwe’s ruling Zanu-PF with an official saying that a motion to strip Mr. Mugabe of the presidency would be presented to parliament.
Mr. Mugabe who has been ruling Zimbabwe since 1980 is charged with letting his wife “usurp constitutional power” and advancing in age making it difficult for him to govern properly.
Mnangagwa said “I am aware that parliament intends to impeach the president. Parliament is the ultimate expression of the will of the people outside an election and in my view is expressing national sentiment by implementing the Impeachment Proceedings therefore talks between myself and the President cannot supercede the expression and fundamental rights of fellow Zimbabweans.”
Zimbabweans on Monday gathered in Africa Unity Square near the country’s Parliament and prayed to God to touch the heart of their President Robert Mugabe to step down.
The prayer meeting is to be held each day until President Mugabe resigns as pressure mounts on the 93 year old leader to cede power. One of the organizers of the event Doug Coltart, and the organiser of #ThisFlag, campaign said “We want Mugabe to step down. We want him to go peacefully”.
“My desire is to join all Zimbabweans in a NEW ERA where corruption, incompetency, dereliction of duty and laziness, social and cultural decadency is not tolerated. In that new Zimbabwe it is important for everyone to join hands so that we rebuild this nation to its full glory, this is not a job for ZANU-PF alone but for all people of Zimbabwe.” – Emmerson Mnangagwa said.
On Sunday the Zanu-PF party passed a resolution to remove Robert Mugabe from the position of president of the party and urged him to resign.
A deadline of 10:00 GMT on Monday set by the Zanu-PF for Mugabe to resign elapsed without any signal of the revolutionary leader exiting power.
On Monday night the military leadership also told a news conference that President Mugabe has been in touch with his sacked vice president, Emmerson Mnangagwa and both men would be holding talks.
Mr. Mugabe is also expected to hold a cabinet meeting on Tuesday with his ministers with Zanu PF warning Mugabe’s ministers against attending the meeting.
Source: Africafeeds.com
