Posted on 06/18/2003 6:05:55 PM PDT by blam
Mugabe 'considering retirement'
By Christopher Munnion in Johannesburg
(Filed: 19/06/2003)
Robert Mugabe is considering stepping down as Zimbabwe's president within a year under "certain conditions", South African government sources said yesterday.
President Mugabe
His demands include the right to nominate his successor and international and local recognition that he remains the country's properly elected founding president to enable him to enjoy "honourable retirement", they said.
The 79-year-old autocrat, whose obsession with clinging to power has brought his once-prosperous nation to the edge of economic collapse and political chaos, is said to have assured President Thabo Mbeki of South Africa of his retirement plans in a telephone call last week.
Mr Mbeki sees Mr Mugabe as a major impediment to his dream of successfully launching Nepad - the "new partnership for Africa's development" under which African nations commit themselves to good governance in return for international financial aid.
Mr Mbeki called Mr Mugabe on the eve of the World Economic Forum Africa in Durban, a crucial meeting for Nepad ambitions, at which the South African leader was host.
Mr Mbeki was said to have been enraged by images emerging from Zimbabwe of Morgan Tsvangirai, leader of the opposition Movement for Democratic Change being hauled before court in chains to face a second charge of high treason for organising protests against the Mugabe government.
According to sources, Mr Mbeki told Mr Mugabe of South Africa's "displeasure".
A surprisingly conciliatory Mr Mugabe assured the South African leader of his plans for conditional retirement but emphasised that he would not quit under pressure from "troublemakers" or "international subversives".
But Mr Mugabe has repeatedly broken assurances given to South Africa. His office issued a statement yesterday rejecting any suggestion of his resignation.
As opposed to the images of hatchet murders of the landowners, which apparently didn't terribly bother anyone.
I doubt it, but it is fun to dream.
Because they are happy, doing what they love to do .... to everyone else. Access to the best medicine. No stress or frustration.
Whenever he feels that he is losing support in Nigeria and South Africa he discloses that he is about to do something positive.
Then everyone can say "You see, quiet diplomacy works, and Mugabe isn't such a bad fellow after all."
Then Mugabe merrily returns to the normal thuggery.
Whenever he feels that he is losing support in Nigeria and South Africa he discloses that he is about to do something positive.
Then everyone can say "You see, quiet diplomacy works, and Mugabe isn't such a bad fellow after all."
Then Mugabe merrily returns to the normal thuggery.
Whenever he feels that he is losing support in Nigeria and South Africa he discloses that he is about to do something positive.
Then everyone can say "You see, quiet diplomacy works, and Mugabe isn't such a bad fellow after all."
Then Mugabe merrily returns to the normal thuggery.
Actually, I thought you were just replying to each previous announcement that Mugabe was considering retiring.
I believe this is the third since the last "election".
Yes.
Will the people have a choice?
No.
He should be shot,...
Yes.
...but then if he was, they would make him a martyr.
No. He is depised, even by his own party, who can't seem to get rid of him.
I hope that someone with a brain and common sense can succeed him.
Such people do exist in Zimbabwe, but whether they would come to power is not likely, short of a miracle.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.