Mugabe Faces Deadline To Quit Or Be Impeached

Zimbabwe’s embattled President Robert Mugabe is facing a deadline set by his own party to resign, after a surprise speech in which he refused to quit.

According to a BBC report, Zanu-PF, which has stripped Mr Mugabe of the party’s leadership, says it back impeachment if he does not step down by 12:00 local time (10:00 GMT) on Monday.

Proceedings could begin as soon as Tuesday when parliament meets.

Mr Mugabe’s grip on power has weakened since the army intervened on Wednesday, in a row over who should succeed him.

The crisis began two weeks ago when the 93-year-old leader sacked his deputy Emmerson Mnangagwa, angering army commanders who saw it as an attempt to position his wife Grace as next president.

Zimbabwe has since then seen huge street rallies, with demonstrators, including the country’s influential war veterans, demanding his immediate resignation.

War veterans leader Chris Mutsvangwa said on Monday that he would go to court in an attempt to legalise the military action against Mr Mugabe, and called for more protests against the leader’s intention to cling to power.

“We want to see his back now,” Mr Mutsvangwa said. “Mugabe, your rule is over. The emperor has no clothes. Thank you very much.”