African long serving president refuse to resign after military take over

The Zimbabwe Defence Force wants Robert Mugabe to resign but the 93-year-old ruler has refused.

There are unconfirmed reports that President Robert Mugabe has refused to give in to pressure from the military to resign.

They want him to resign and make an announcement to that effect via the national broadcaster but the 93-year-old ruler has refused.

Reports from Harare have it that this has in turn stalled the Zimbabwe Defence Force’s plan to transfer power peacefully.

They are now left with no choice but to officially pronounce a coup d’etat, and possibly a state of emergency and martial law.

At that point the current status quo would be illegal and regional blocks SADC & AU would be obligated to intervene.

President Robert Mugabe is said to be confined to his home in Harare but unconfirmed reports say his wife Grace, who was bidding to succeed him as president, has fled to Namibia.

The military's action followed the sacking of Vice-President Emmerson Mnangagwa, a fierce rival of Mrs Mugabe.