BREAKING: Mnangagwa breaks silence, urges Mugabe to quit

by MARCUS MUSHONGA
HARARE, (CAJ News) – SACKED Vice President, Emmerson Mnangagwa, has broken his silence over the political crisis in Zimbabwe by calling on President Robert Mugabe (93) to quit.

Mnangwagwa (71), speaking for the first time after the upheavals that led to the military taking over power days after his dismissal, urged the under-fire leader to cede power to avoid “humiliation.”

Mugabe’s exiled deputy, who ruled out returning to the troubled country soon, pointed out the masses had expressed their disgruntlement with Mugabe during mass protests in recent days.

“The people of Zimbabwe have spoken with one voice and it is my appeal to President Mugabe that he should take heed of this clarion call by the
people of Zimbabwe to resign so that the country can move forward and preserve his legacy,” reads a statement believed to have been issued by Mnagagwa.

He pointed out Mugabe had always said if the people no longer wanted him at the helm, he would vacate office he has occupied since independence in 1980.

However, Mugabe remained defiant despite amid pressure mounting on him to quit.

“Now that they (people) have spoken he must now accept the will of the people and resign.”

Mnangagwa highlighted Mugabe, in his televised State of the Nation Address on Sunday, admitted to a number of a latent disregard to the interest of the people and dereliction of duty.

“Surely, after making such an admission common sense dictates that it should have been followed by an apology and immediate resignation to save the legacy of our struggle,” the statement read.

During the pair’s conversation, as confirmed by the army generals late on Monday, Mnangagwa said he had urged his boss to cooperate in the current negotiations with the defence forces for a peaceful resolution of this crisis, which would result in the preservation of his legacy.

“If he continues to dig in, in defiance of the will of the people, he might suffer humiliation because definitely the will of the people will
prevail against one person.”

Mugabe’s firing of Mnangagwa a fortnight ago prompted the military to intervene and stop a purge of Zanu-PF ex-combatants by Mugabe and his rash wife, Grace.

In a reversal of fortunes, this weekend, Zanu-PF expelled Mugabe and his wife and chose Mnangagwa as president.

He however has ruled out an imminent return citing security concerns after the removal of his security personnel during his acrimonious dismissal.

“I can only come at the invitation of my colleagues in the party and of the defence forces, when they feel that my security is guaranteed,”
Mnangagwa said.

– CAJ News