Despite Military Takeover Mugabe Continues His Reins

It was widely thought that Mugabe would have no choice but to go after the army seized power, opened the floodgates of citizen protest and his once-loyal party told him to quit. But contrary to it, thirty-seven years (37) autocratic leader , 93 year old – Robert Mugabe clung on as Zimbabwe’s president, on Sunday, using national TV to insist, that he still holds power despite a military takeover.

Crowds who gathered in bars and cafes in Harare to watch the address, which was widely expected his resignation, were left stunned and disconsolate. Some wept openly. ”The (ruling ZANU-PF) party congress is due in a few weeks and I will preside over its processes”, Mugabe said.

His words pulled the country into deep uncertainty, as it implies that he will seek to stay in office at least until mid December. But Mugabe, sitting alongside the uniformed generals , who were behind the military intervention, delivered a speech that suggested he was unfazed by the turmoil.

Speaking slowly and occasionally stumbling as he read from the pages, Mugabe talked of the need for solidarity to
resolve national problems – business-as- usual rhetoric that he has deployed over decades. He made no reference to the chorus calling for him to resign and shrugged off last week’s dramatic military intervention. ”The operation I have alluded to did not amount to a threat to our well-cherished constitutional order nor did it challenge my authority as head of state, not even as commander-in- chief”,  he said. Instead, he urged harmony and comradeship.