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“I want to die in Zimbabwe not in exile”

Published

9 years ago

November 23, 2017

By Odinta Oluma Christiana

Former Zimbabwe president Robert Mugabe who resigned on Tuesday following the military seize of power was reported to have told negotiators that he (Mugabe) would like to die in the country rather in exile.

“A government source said Mugabe, who is 93, told negotiators he wanted to die in Zimbabwe and had no plans to live in exile”, NAN reports.

Report has it that Mugabe who is 93 years old was granted immunity from prosecution.

According to the source, Mugabe was assured that his safety would be protected in his home country as part of a deal that led to his resignation.

Mugabe led Zimbabwe from independence in 1980 but stepped down on Tuesday after the army seized power and the ruling party turned against him.

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Emmerson Mnangagwa, the former vice president, is set to be sworn in as president on Friday.

“It was very emotional for him,” said the source, who is not authorized to speak on the details of the negotiated settlement.

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

Mugabe’s rapid downfall was triggered by a battle to succeed him that pitted Mnangagwa against Mugabe’s wife Grace.