Mugabe states that he is not ready to retire

Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe, who turns 90 on Friday, says he is not retiring soon and will deal decisively with party leaders who are vying to succeed him. Speaking in a traditional interview on the eve of his birthday, to be aired on state television Thursday, Mugabe said that any discussion of his succession would cause division among his Zanu PF party.

He asked, “But why should it (succession) be discussed when it is not due? Is it due?” However, he went on to add, “The leadership still exists that runs the country. In other words I am still there.” Furthermore he said, “The people can discuss it if they want, but the moment they start discussing it they go into factions and then you find the party dividing itself and so why discuss it when it is not due? … When the day comes and I retire, yes, sure, the day will come, but I do not want to leave my party in tatters. I want to leave it intact.”

Mugabe then warned those eyeing his post risk being expelled from Zanu PF saying they were igniting the flames of factionalism. Senior Zanu PF members, including his deputy,Joice Mujuru, and Defense minister Emmerson Mnangagwa, are reportedly leading factions to succeed the veteran ruler. But Mugabe said he does not want to leave Zanu PF divided.

Source: The Africa Report