Sunday saw Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe addressing the nation on state TV.
Below are the highlights:
– Mugabe entered a room lined with generals, and other security leaders.
– He read his speech, generals to his right, suits to his left, Father Fidelis Mukonori right next to him.
– Address to the nation after meeting with security leaders.
– Mugabe acknowledged the issues raised by the security forces, despite not entirely agreeing with the way that they were raised.
– Acknowledged the concerns raised by the people of Zimbabwe
– Mugabe does not believe the operation was a threat to him, or the constitutional order or his authority as president
– A sense of collegiality and comradeship arising from today’s meeting.
– Government will continue to improve the economy.
– Mugabe: Open public spats between high ranking officials in the party… made the criticisms levelled against us inescapable.
– Mugabe: The tradition of resistance is our collective legacy.
– Mugabe paid tribute to the liberation-war credentials of his generals.
– Mugabe: We must all recognise that their participation in the war (veterans) exacted life-long costs.
– Mugabe: In respect of the demands of the party and its leadership, they stand to be acknowledged and attended to.
– Mugabe: I am aware that as a party of liberation – Zanu-PF has written elaborate rules and procedures.
– Mugabe: There has to be a net return to the guiding principle of our party…The era of victimisation and arbitrary decision must be put behind.
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