ZANU-PF Tells Mugabe To Resign Or Face Impeachment

Zimbabwe‘s ruling party has told Robert Mugabe that he must resign as president of the country by midday on Monday, or face impeachment.

The ultimatum given to the veteran leader, who has been in power for 37 years, came five days after the military seized power and placed Mugabe under house arrest.

The embattled 93-year-old leader has so far appeared resistant to demands to step down, but is increasingly running out of options.

On Sunday, the ruling ZANU-PF party dismissed Mugabe as its leader and also expelled his wife, Grace, from its ranks.

It said if Mugabe does not resign by midday on Monday, then it will start impeachment proceedings when parliament resumes on Tuesday.

Members also voted to name the sacked Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa, whom Mugabe fired on November 6, as new party leader.

“We meet here today with a heavy heart, because Mugabe’s wife and her close associates have taken advantage of his frail condition and abused the resources of the country,” he told members. “I warmly welcome you all to this historic meeting which will mark a new era, not only for our country but for the party.”

Members cheered as the resolution to recall Mugabe was read out.

“It will be very honourable for him to resign than to face impeachment,” a war veteran in the capital, Harare, told Al Jazeera.

“It will continue to soil his record – and that’s our advice, please let the old man resign and go home.”

Earlier on Sunday, the ZANU-PF Youth League, which Grace Mugabe leads, called for her expulsion from ZANU-PF “forever” and demanded the president resigns as leader of the country and party, “so that he can rest as the elderly statesman he is”.

The group also condemned the “unprocedural expulsion” of Mnangagwa.

Source: Al Jazeera