mugabe marks 93rd birthday with faltering tv interview
Last Updated : GMT 09:03:51
Almaghrib Today, almaghrib today
Almaghrib Today, almaghrib today
Last Updated : GMT 09:03:51
Almaghrib Today, almaghrib today
Media » TV

Mugabe marks 93rd birthday with faltering TV interview

Almaghrib Today, almaghrib today

Almaghrib Today, almaghrib today Mugabe marks 93rd birthday with faltering TV interview

Zimbabwes President Robert Mugabe blows candles off his birthday cake at his offices in
HARARE - Arab today

Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe, the world’s oldest national ruler, turned 93 on Tuesday, using a long and occasionally rambling interview to vow to remain in power despite growing signs of frailty.

He celebrated with his staff in a private ceremony in Harare as supporters and ruling ZANU-PF party officials filled state media with gushing messages of goodwill and congratulations.

During an hour-long, pre-recorded television interview broadcast late Monday, Mugabe appeared to grow increasingly tired, pausing at length between sentences and speaking with his eyes barely open.

“The call to step down must come from my party… In such circumstances I will step down,” he said.

“They want me to stand for elections… If I feel that I can’t do it any more, I will say so to my party so that they relieve me. But for now, I think I can’t say so

“The majority of the people feel that there is no replacement - a successor who to them is acceptable.”

Mugabe, who has ridiculed regular reports that he is close to death, spoke about creating jobs in Zimbabwe’s wrecked economy, the country’s extreme cash shortage and his much-criticised wife.

Sitting in State House, his official residence in Harare, he appeared lucid at some points while at other times he drawled and lost track of his thoughts.

The Zimbabwean opposition used the birthday to say Mugabe was an outdated leader, incapable of solving the country’s problems.

The president’s main birthday celebrations will be held on Saturday at Matobo National Park outside Bulawayo, where thousands of officials and ZANU-PF faithful are expected to gather.

Large game animals are often slaughtered for the occasion. In previous years Mugabe has reportedly been offered elephants, buffalo and impala for the feast.

The veteran leader, who came to power when Zimbabwe won independence in 1980, is accused of holding office through ruthless repression of dissent and election rigging, also overseeing an economic collapse.

The state-owned Herald newspaper on Tuesday published a 24-page supplement of congratulatory messages from government departments and regime loyalists, while state television and radio broadcast tributes and songs of praise.

 

‘In capable hands’

 

“As we celebrate his 93rd birthday today, we do so in the knowledge and comfort that our country is in very good and capable hands,” theHerald said in its editorial.

The defence ministry message read: “Your wise visionary leadership continues to provide us with clear direction and greater resolve to defend our country.”

Several incidents in recent years have highlighted Mugabe’s advanced age — including a public fall in 2015 at Harare airport.

In September of the same year he read a speech to parliament apparently unaware that he had delivered the same address a month earlier.

Despite growing calls to step aside, his party has endorsed Mugabe as its candidate for general elections next year, and he remains widely respected as a liberation hero by other African leaders.

On Friday, his wife, Grace, claimed that Mugabe would be the voters’ choice even after he dies.

Grace, 51, who has a reputation for extravagance and fierce verbal attacks on rivals, has also said she would use a wheelchair to transport him to election rallies if needed.

She was appointed head of the ZANU-PF women’s wing in a surprise move that could make her a possible successor to Mugabe.

“She is very acceptable. Very much accepted by the people,” Mugabe said in the interview, without giving further details.

Another leading candidate is Mugabe’s vice-president, Emmerson Mnangagwa.

A spokesman for the Movement for Democratic Change opposition party marked Mugabe’s birthday with a stinging opinion piece in the privately-owned NewsDay paper.

“Today’s problems need today’s people. Yet you do not even belong to yesterday’s generation. At 93, you certainly belong to yesterday but one,” wrote Luke Tamborinyoka.

Last year, security forces brutally quelled a series of street protests in Harare, a rare public expression of opposition to Mugabe’s regime.

According to Bloomberg News, Zimbabwe’s economic output has halved since 2000 when many white-owned farms were seized, leaving the key agricultural sector in ruins

source : gulfnews

almaghribtoday
almaghribtoday

Name *

E-mail *

Comment Title*

Comment *

: Characters Left

Mandatory *

Terms of use

Publishing Terms: Not to offend the author, or to persons or sanctities or attacking religions or divine self. And stay away from sectarian and racial incitement and insults.

I agree with the Terms of Use

Security Code*

mugabe marks 93rd birthday with faltering tv interview mugabe marks 93rd birthday with faltering tv interview

 



Name *

E-mail *

Comment Title*

Comment *

: Characters Left

Mandatory *

Terms of use

Publishing Terms: Not to offend the author, or to persons or sanctities or attacking religions or divine self. And stay away from sectarian and racial incitement and insults.

I agree with the Terms of Use

Security Code*

mugabe marks 93rd birthday with faltering tv interview mugabe marks 93rd birthday with faltering tv interview

 



Almaghrib Today, almaghrib today Skincare PR Performance Full Year 2017

GMT 09:22 2018 Monday ,22 January

Skincare PR Performance Full Year 2017
Almaghrib Today, almaghrib today New hunt for flight MH370 gets under way

GMT 11:03 2018 Wednesday ,24 January

New hunt for flight MH370 gets under way
Almaghrib Today, almaghrib today Modern colorful bedroom renovation

GMT 10:57 2017 Thursday ,21 December

Modern colorful bedroom renovation
Almaghrib Today, almaghrib today Puigdemont candidate for Catalan president

GMT 13:56 2018 Tuesday ,23 January

Puigdemont candidate for Catalan president
Almaghrib Today, almaghrib today Turkey detains dozens more

GMT 10:47 2018 Wednesday ,24 January

Turkey detains dozens more
Almaghrib Today, almaghrib today The Rake announces editorial updates

GMT 10:46 2018 Tuesday ,16 January

The Rake announces editorial updates
Almaghrib Today, almaghrib today Europe brings on charm and blue skies

GMT 11:51 2018 Tuesday ,23 January

Europe brings on charm and blue skies
Almaghrib Today, almaghrib today For the Variety of Interior Design Styles

GMT 10:46 2017 Tuesday ,19 December

For the Variety of Interior Design Styles
Almaghrib Today, almaghrib today US Christian tourists see deep meaning

GMT 13:44 2018 Monday ,22 January

US Christian tourists see deep meaning
Almaghrib Today, almaghrib today Amazon to open first cashierless shop

GMT 10:03 2018 Tuesday ,23 January

Amazon to open first cashierless shop

GMT 12:50 2017 Friday ,15 September

Fati Jamali received offer to participate

GMT 11:50 2017 Friday ,08 September

Ragheb does not intend to participate in drama

GMT 09:45 2018 Friday ,19 January

Syria threatens to 'destroy' Turkish warplanes

GMT 14:54 2018 Sunday ,07 January

Monfils predicts 'tough' Australian Open

GMT 12:13 2017 Thursday ,24 August

Qamar praises reactions to “Kiss My Lips”

GMT 20:38 2012 Thursday ,08 November

Iraq needs $1 trillion to rebuild

GMT 19:53 2016 Thursday ,13 October

Study: Egypt 'first date fruit producer' in world

GMT 13:33 2016 Thursday ,25 August

European equities slide in choppy trade

GMT 16:06 2011 Monday ,01 August

England lucky as France draw Spain

GMT 11:23 2012 Thursday ,02 February

Facebook files for highly anticipated IPO

GMT 22:19 2017 Thursday ,17 August

Opening of border to Qatari pilgrims welcomed

GMT 10:06 2017 Tuesday ,17 October

Cuba has duty to prevent attacks on US envoys: Trump

GMT 08:19 2017 Friday ,14 April

Nelly Karim in Luxor to stimulate tourism

GMT 09:28 2012 Thursday ,19 April

AD Sports to air UAE football in HD, surround sound

GMT 13:45 2017 Sunday ,30 April

Shraddha Kapoor and Arjun Kapoor in Dubai

GMT 20:13 2017 Wednesday ,27 September

Kuwait’s economic measures provided

GMT 22:30 2017 Friday ,29 September

Official underlines economic improvement

GMT 11:05 2017 Wednesday ,27 December

British navy frigate escorts Russian warship in North Sea
Almaghrib Today, almaghrib today
 
 Almaghrib Today Facebook,almaghrib today facebook  Almaghrib Today Twitter,almaghrib today twitter Almaghrib Today Rss,almaghrib today rss  Almaghrib Today Youtube,almaghrib today youtube  Almaghrib Today Youtube,almaghrib today youtube

Maintained and developed by Arabs Today Group SAL.
All rights reserved to Arab Today Media Group 2021 ©

Maintained and developed by Arabs Today Group SAL.
All rights reserved to Arab Today Media Group 2021 ©

.almaghribtoday .almaghribtoday .almaghribtoday .almaghribtoday
almaghribtoday almaghribtoday almaghribtoday
almaghribtoday
بناية النخيل - رأس النبع _ خلف السفارة الفرنسية _بيروت - لبنان
almaghribtoday, Almaghribtoday, Almaghribtoday