Zimbabwe’s former President Robert Mugabe says he now accepts President Emmerson Mnangagwa as the country’s legitimate leader.
Mugabe was unhappy with the manner in which he was forced out of power in order for his one-time ally to be installed as President.
He refused to support him before the elections in July, but Mugabe now says following the electoral process, he can no longer dispute his legitimacy.
The 94-year old former leader told mourners at his mother in-law’s funeral that “The wrong that happened last November has been erased by his victory in the July 30 elections.
We now have a government born out of the constitution. I now accept his leadership and he now deserves the support of every Zimbabwean.”
Mnangagwa wasn’t Mugabe’s choice for successor
He adds that “Before the elections, I did not support him because he came through illegal means which violated our liberation values that politics lead the gun.”
Mugabe said Mnangagwa wasn’t his choice as successor saying “Those who staged the coup knew that Sekeramayi was my preferred successor.” Sidney Sekeramayi he referred to was a former defence minister.
Mugabe said “But that is now in the past and everyone must dialogue and unite. We are now in a new era. Let us work together for our country.”
Many consider these comments as a possible end to tension between the Mugabes and President Mnangagwa. Mugabe even further called for tolerance, asking that the opposition be allowed to do its politics within the confines of the law.
Grace Mugabe prior to Robert Mugabe’s exit was considered a rival to President Mnangagwa. But Mnangagwa reportedly helped Grace to return home for her mother’s funeral.
Grace was in Singapore when her mother passed on. She thanked Mnangagwa for facilitating her travel back home.
“I want to thank (Mr) Mnangagwa for chartering a new plane to bring me home to mourn my mother. It was a beautiful plane, a brand new Gulf Stream from Qatar”.
“(Mr) Mnangagwa comforted me. If it takes my mother’s death for us to have the friendship we once had, then let it be.”
Source: Africafeeds.com
