Africa’s oldest leader, 93-year-old Zimbabwean President, Robert Mugabe, has launched a nationwide 10-venue speaking tour aimed at drumming up support
Africa’s oldest leader, 93-year-old Zimbabwean President, Robert Mugabe, has launched a nationwide 10-venue speaking tour aimed at drumming up support ahead of elections next year when he plans to seek office again.
Mugabe, who appeared in better health than at some recent public appearances, spoke for an hour and a half at a rally outside Harare attended by several thousand ZANU-PF supporters. Earlier in the year, he has slurred his words in interviews and struggled to walk in public, but he stood up throughout his long speech on Friday.
He wore a jacket in the party colours, and arrived at the open-air venue standing on the back of a police truck and waving at cheering supporters. He urged those seeking to succeed him to be at peace saying that the time will certainly come. ZANU-PF officials say Mugabe is focusing on youth issues at the series of interface rallies in each of Zimbabwe’s 10 provinces.
A banner at the rally called Mugabe ‘the father of youth empowerment’ and urged young people to register to vote in the elections.
“President Robert Mugabe is our sole candidate for 2018. We declare you our life president,” Kelvin Mutsvairo, a provincial youth party leader, said in his speech.
The ruling ZANU-PF party is widely seen as divided over Mugabe’s successor, while opposition parties are in talks to unite to try to oust him in the election.
“We want our party to remain united and not divided. If you are a real ZANU-PF member, be true to your party,” Mugabe said at the rally in Marondera.
Mugabe has ruled since independence in 1980, and ZANU-PF are often accused of election rigging and voter intimidation. Born on 21st February, 1924, he has been President since 1987. He previously led Zimbabwe as Prime Minister from 1980 to 1987.
