It is now obvious that, in a matter of days, Robert Gabriel Mugabe, 93, would cease to be president of the Republic of Zimbabwe, a position he has held since the Zimbabwean independence in April 1980.  Since November 6 when he dismissed the vice president, Mr. Emmerson Mnangagwa, 75, who was generally considered to be his most likely successor, things have fallen apart in Harare.

The sack of Mr. Mnangagwa had angered many Zimbabweans, and heightened the fear that President Mugabe would name his wife, Mrs. Grace Mugabe, as vice president.  This was widely considered a nightmare scenario which must be averted at all costs, and it was hardly surprising that the country’s military stepped in last week and demanded his resignation, a request that he has blandly refused. Mugabe has, however, been relieved of his position as the leader of his party, and all appears set for his impeachment as president.

After 37 years as head of state and president, Mr. Mugabe has clearly overstayed his welcome. He has, however, been able to out-maneuver his opponents and, after a point, began to nurse the consciousness of his own indispensability, which is why he still wanted to run for the 8th term of office at the age of 94 next year.  His desire to have his wife succeed him, however, alarmed many Zimbabweans and his disgraceful exit from office is expected anytime from now.

We salute the Zimbabwean Army for its courage, professionalism, tact and wisdom in moving to smoothly ease Mugabe out of office. It has displayed admirable and exemplary restraint and maturity.  We cannot point to any other army in Africa that has demonstrated such discipline and leadership in similar circumstances. We urge it to maintain its composure until it achieves its objective.

We salute the restraint of Zimbabweans, many of whom “felt like taking over the old man’s home and smashing it up, but instead sang and danced.”  That is true patriotism.  We praise the Zimbabwean opposition and, especially, former vice president Morgan Tsvangirai, who not minding what he suffered in Mugabe’s hands including three assassination attempts, still urged restraint and constitutionalism.  That is the proper attitude to democratic governance.

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We also salute the South African government which has been moderating the discussions, leading the South African Development Community (SADC) in counseling greater patience.  Indeed, they suggested letting President Mugabe stay on till the Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front (ZANU-PF) conference in December, before he formally retires, so that he can leave with dignity. 

The African Union, especially its current chairman, Mr. Alpha Conde, President of the Republic of Guinea, deserves commendation. He was unequivocal that “Africa will never accept a coup in Zimbabwe… we demand respect for the constitution…we know there are internal problems.  They need to be resolved politically by the ZANU-PF and not with the intervention by the army.”

We, however, urge President Mugabe to bring an end to the uncertain situation in Zimbabwe by resigning from office.  He should not, through his obduracy, wait until he is forced out of office through the impeachment process.  Already, he has lost the leadership of the ZANU-PF which, by its resolutions, has divested him of his powers and also expelled his wife from her leadership of the Women’s Wing.  Mr. Mnangagwa has replaced him as leader of the party and is expected to assume the office of president. He is widely believed to be the best man for the job, having competently held the offices of finance minister and vice president.

We hope for a swift resolution of the impasse in Zimbabwe.  If Africans cannot be cured of the urge to stay interminably in office, term limits must be prescribed and enforced.  It is one of the failings of many African countries that they are unable to enforce term limits for their presidents.  Let Mugabe do the needful to ease the political tension in Zimbabwe.

The incoming leadership must, however, be careful to eschew vengeance and get on with the task of administering the country and providing a better life for its people.  Zimbabwe is one of African’s most endowed countries. All segments of Zimbabwean society must cooperate to move it forward with hope and optimism in spite of the setback of the Mugabe era.