The Gulf Time Newspaper One of the finest business newspapers in the UAE brought to you by our professional writers and editors.
Bloomberg
The new leader of Zimbabwe’s ruling party asked Robert Mugabe to resign as president of the southern African nation. “The destiny of our country is
in the hands of our people and his excellency must heed the call of the people to resign,†Emmerson Mnangagwa, who left the country after Mugabe fired him as deputy president earlier this month, said in an emailed statement on Tuesday.
The ruling Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front fired Mugabe, 93, on November 19 and named Mnangagwa as its new leader. Mugabe has made contact with Mnangagwa, who says he won’t return to the country “until he is satisfied of his
personal security,†the new party leader said.
Mugabe triggered his own downfall by firing Mnangagwa, a move that prompted the military to intervene and place him under house arrest.
The nation’s parliament is due to reconvene and could impeach him should he remain steadfast in his refusal to resign.
Under Mugabe’s watch, the economy has imploded, leaving 95 percent of the workforce unemployed, according to Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions estimates, and forcing as many as 3 million people into exile.