Zimbabwe crisis: Impeachment proceedings against Mugabe to commence
Former Zimbabwean Vice-President Emmerson Mnangagwa, whose sacking led to last week's army takeover, has urged President Robert Mugabe to resign immediately. This comes even as the ruling Zanu-PF party is expected to commence impeachment proceedings against Mugabe in parliament. Mugabe has been accused of allowing his wife, Grace Mugabe, to "usurp constitutional power" So far, a defiant Mugabe has resisted growing calls to resign.
What has happened so far?
On November 15, Mugabe was placed under house arrest during a military takeover. The crisis began after he sacked Vice-President, Emmerson Mnangagwa two weeks ago, apparently for his wife, Grace, to succeed him as president. Since the military takeover, Mugabe's grip on power has weakened considerably. On November 18, thousands of people protested in Harare, calling for Mugabe's resignation.
Zimbabwe crisis: Defiant President Mugabe vows to stay in power
On November 20, President Robert Mugabe, 93, vowed to remain in power for the coming weeks, despite growing calls for his resignation following a military takeover. In a TV address, Mugabe said he would preside over the ruling Zanu-PF party congress in December. The party earlier sacked him as its secretary and gave him less than 24-hours to resign as president or be impeached.
Mnangagwa hints that Mugabe tried to have him killed
Mnangagwa said he fled to South Africa two weeks ago after learning of a plot to kill him and said he wouldn't return unless his security was assured. His statement is more or less an allegation against Mugabe of trying to have him killed and indicates Zimbabwe's dangerous power struggles. Meanwhile, Zimbabwe's army generals have said Mnangagwa will return home under a power transition.
MP: Mugabe's wife "has no right to run government"
Impeachment proceedings against Mugabe will begin after he failed to resign within a deadline set by the ruling Zanu-PF party. "He is a stubborn man, he can hear the voices of the people, but is refusing to listen," said MP Paul Mangwana about Mugabe. He said he "he has allowed his wife to usurp constitutional power when she has no right to run government."
