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Zimbabwe's Mugabe warns Western embassies against interference

Xinhua, July 27, 2016 Adjust font size:

Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe on Wednesday warned western embassies against interfering in the political affairs of Zimbabwe.

He said the some embassies were working with some members in his ruling Zanu-PF party to destabilize the party and affect regime change in the country.

"Foreign embassies that are interfering with our politics... and although they are doing it privately, clandestinely. I want to warn them to desist from it," Mugabe said.

"Those that are trying to subvert our systems of government and do things that amount to subverting the present government and its authority, please stop it."

The president was addressing thousands of party supporters, including former liberation fighters in the capital.

The meeting came after the former liberation fighters last week purportedly issued a hard-hitting communique in which they lambasted Mugabe for poor leadership and mismanaging the economy, calling on him to step down.

A defiant Mugabe said he will not resign unless if asked to do so by his party.

"As long as the party still wants me to serve and if I still have the energy and the life and blessings of God, I will continue," said 92-year old Mugabe, who has ruled Zimbabwe since independence from Britain in 1980.

He said the party had launched investigations into the origin of the communique with a view to taking action against those found guilty.

He also warned church leaders, including a cleric who recently organized a nationwide stayaway, against interfering in politics, saying Zanu-PF will not tolerate any nonsense that is done in the name of religion.

Mugabe challenged party leaders being accused of leading factions vying to succeed him to publicly deny the allegations if they are untrue. He urged the party to remain united and vigilant against enemies trying to destabilize it.

Mugabe's party has been hit by intense infighting which has escalated in recent months as some senior party members try to position themselves to eventually take over from the veteran leader when he goes.

The infighting has been worsened by the fact that Mugabe has not mentioned his preferred successor, saying the party is the one that will choose the leader.

Mugabe has already been endorsed as Zanu-PF presidential candidate in the 2018 elections when he will be 94. Enditem