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Zimbabwe's Mugabe says not ready to step down

Xinhua, February 19, 2017 Adjust font size:

Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe has said he is not ready to step down and that he will not groom his successor as it is the responsibility of the people.

He said his ruling Zanu-PF party wants him to stand again for elections in 2018, and that the majority of the people feel there is no replacement for him.

"The majority of people feel that there is no replacement; (a) successor who to them is acceptable, as acceptable as I am," the veteran president was quoted by the state-run Sunday Mail newspaper on Sunday.

The president made the comments in his traditional birthday interview with state-broadcaster the Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation which will be aired on Feb. 20 and 21.

The president turns 93 on Feb. 21 and the annual official birthday celebrations will be held on Feb. 25 in Matopos, Matabeleland South Province.

The president, who has since been endorsed as Zanu-PF presidential candidate for 2018 elections when he will be 94, scoffed at those calling on him to step down.

"Of course if I feel that I can't do it anymore, I will say so to my party so that they relieve me. But for now I think I can't say so," the president was quoted as saying.

Zimbabwean opposition and other critics in and outside the country have called for Mugabe's resignation, citing his advanced age and alleged failure to run the economy. Endit