Mugabe storytelling? Tells children “I’m on my way out”. Silent on succession.

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While Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe may be hinting to ‘his children’ that he’s willing to step down, the big concern amongst citizens must be who will replace him. Whether it will be his wife  Grace, or one of his two vice presidents, Phelekezela Mphoko and Emmerson Mnangagwa. And whoever it is, it may just be more of the same… And when Mugabe says he’s on his way out, he failed to mention when, so it could equate to a piece of string. And while change is like a holiday, one must also beware of the devil you don’t know. – Stuart Lowman

Harare – Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe has reportedly told thousands of children gathered for the commemoration of the Day of the African Child that he is on “his way out”, and that he hoped his successor would be better than him.

According to The Standard, Mugabe, 92, told the children that he hoped that those who came after him would be “courageous” and “bold”.

Zimbabwe's President Robert Mugabe and his wife Grace greet supporters of his ZANU (PF) party during the "One Million Man March", a show of support of Mugabe's rule in Harare, Zimbabwe, May 25, 2016. REUTERS/Philimon Bulawayo. TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY
Zimbabwe’s President Robert Mugabe and his wife Grace greet supporters of his ZANU (PF) party during the “One Million Man March”, a show of support of Mugabe’s rule in Harare, Zimbabwe, May 25, 2016. REUTERS/Philimon Bulawayo.

Mugabe is Africa’s oldest leader and has been in power since independence from Britain in 1980.

In recent months, the nonagenarian has described the person to take over from him as someone who must be “people oriented” and ready to defend the country from neo-colonialism.

However, he refused to be drawn into naming his preferred successor.

Read also: Mugabe: Reporters ‘stuck in a rut’ must write positive stories, like football

Freedom fighters 

The veteran leader said that his successor should be chosen democratically.

Reports, however, indicated that his Zanu-PF party was riddled with fissures, as party leaders positioned themselves to take over when he left office.

Among the possible names in the battle to take over are his wife Grace, 50, and his two vice presidents, Phelekezela Mphoko and Emmerson Mnangagwa.

Read also: Zim says ‘unnecessary’ to comment on Mugabe ‘heart attack’ rumours

A group of Young Turks, known as Generation 40 (G40), is pushing for Grace to be the next deputy president, thus, positioning her to eventually succeed the ailing president.

However, the country’s war veterans remained vocal about their unyielding support to vice president Mnangagwa.

The former freedom fighters claimed that Mnangagwa was the next in line to take over the presidency. – News24

Source: http://www.news24.com/Africa/Zimbabwe/im-on-my-way-out-mugabe-tells-children-20160621

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