Zimbabwe -- I'm not ready to go, says Mugabe

SAPA-AFP via Independent Online (SA) ^ | December 06 2003

[Clive]

Masvingo, Zimbabwe - Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe on Saturday told cheering party loyalists he was not ready to step down.

There had been frenzied speculation that Mugabe, who turns 80 next year, would use the Zimbabwe African National Union - Patriotic Front (Zanu-PF) conference this weekend in the southern city of Masvingo to announce he was resigning or selecting a successor.

But instead he told around 3 000 party loyalists in his closing address that his country had given him a mandate to continue ruling. "I must make good that mandate," he said to deafening applause.

"If I feel I cannot do it (govern) anymore, I'll come to you in an honourable way and say, 'Ah no. I think I've now come to a stage where I need a rest.' I'll tell you that.

"I haven't told you that, have I?" he told the jubilant crowd of supporters.

Mugabe has been in power here for the past 23 years since the country gained independence from Britain. - Sapa-AFP

[Clive]

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[cyborg]

ROTFLMAO

HE IS NOT READY TO GO!!! BWAHAHAHA... I'll be sure to tell that to all of Ian Smith's light infantry veterans that.

[45Auto]

No tyrant ever gave up power voluntarily.

[Levante]

"No tyrant ever gave up power voluntarily."

Exactly. Mugabe, anywhere else, is a nobody, a two-bit crook. In Zimbabwe, he's the top dog.

[headsonpikes]

One head - one pike!

Is it really too much to ask?

[GeronL]

But instead he told around 3 000 party loyalists in his closing address that his country had given him a mandate to continue ruling. "I must make good that mandate," he said to deafening applause.

What planet is he on?

[GeronL]

But instead he told around 3 000 party loyalists in his closing address that his country had given him a mandate to continue ruling. "I must make good that mandate," he said to deafening applause.

What planet is he on?