Zimbabwe poised for new president, immunity for Mugabe

Last updated: 23 November 2017, 5:34 pm

Questions remain over the future of Robert Mugabe, who resigned as president of Zimbabwe on Tuesday, and his wife who just days ago was poised to succeed him.

The 93-year-old, who led the country for 37 years, has not spoken publicly since his stunning speech on Sunday night defying calls from the military, ruling party and the people to step down.

Military authorities in Zimbabwe have agreed to grant the former president Robert Mugabe immunity from prosecution and told him his safety will be protected in his home country.

A government source confirmed to Reuters that Mugabe had told negotiators he wanted to die in Zimbabwe and had no plans to live in exile.

“For him it was very important that he be guaranteed security to stay in the country... although that will not stop him from travelling abroad when he wants to or has to,” the source said.

is set to be sworn in as president on Friday morning at a 60,000-seat stadium after making a triumphant return to the country.

He fled shortly after his firing, claiming threats to his life. His dismissal sparked the political upheaval in Zimbabwe.

Speaking on his return yesterday night outside ruling party headquarters, he promised “a new, unfolding democracy” and efforts to rebuild a shattered economy.

But he also recited slogans from the ruling ZANU-PF party, declaring death to “enemies” – comments that are unlikely to reassure the opposition.

Zimbabwe: A country for everyone?

The opposition party MDC-T, which supported Mugabe’s removal, said it had not been invited to the inauguration.

Spokesman Obert Guru said the party was closely watching Mnangagwa’s next moves, “particularly regarding the dismantling of all the oppressive pillars of repression”.

In a new statement on Thursday, Mnangagwa urged Zimbabweans against “vengeful retribution”.

The pastor who led large anti-government protests last year, Evan Mawarire, said Zimbabweans should let Mnangagwa know that the country should be for everyone and not just the ruling party.

Mnangagwa is a former justice and defence minister with close ties to the military who served for decades as Mugabe’s enforcer, a role that earned him the nickname “Crocodile”.

Many opposition supporters believe he was instrumental in the army killings of thousands of people when Mugabe moved against a political rival in the 1980s, and he remains on a US sanctions list over allegations of violently cracking down on opponents.