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WORLD NEWS Monday 30 July 2018

Zimbabwe's Mugabe emerges, rejects ruling party in election

By FARAI MUTSAKA Later on Sunday, Mnan-
Associated Press gagwa said in a video
HARARE, Zimbabwe (AP) posted on Facebook that
— In a surprise address to Chamisa had "forged a
the nation after months of deal" with Mugabe and
silence, Zimbabwe's former that a vote for the opposi-
leader Robert Mugabe tion leader amounted to
emerged just hours before an endorsement of the old
Monday's historic election order.
declaring that "I will not "We can no longer believe
vote for those who have that his intentions are to
illegally taken power" and transform Zimbabwe and
turning his back on the rebuild our nation," the
ruling party he long con- president said.
trolled. Chamisa, meanwhile, said
Slow and rambling, the at a news conference that
94-year-old Mugabe spoke he welcomed the vote of
to reporters on Sunday with Mugabe or any other Zim-
bitterness about his dra- babwean and that "you
matic removal in Novem- don't discriminate against
ber under military pressure voters."
and amid a ruling party Many in Zimbabwe knew no
feud. Former Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe, left, and his wife Grace pose for a photo after a other leader but Mugabe,
He was coy about endors- press conference at their residence in Harare, Sunday, July, 29, 2018. who led the country for 37
ing anyone ahead of the Associated Press years after independence
election in which the for- from white minority rule
mer deputy that he fired, date. vote for ZANU-PF," the ruling "He seems to be doing well in 1980. What began with
President Emmerson Mnan- "I cannot vote for those party that has rejected him at his rallies ... I wish to meet optimism crumbled into
gagawa, faces a 40-year- who have tormented me," as well. him if he wins." repression of the opposi-
old lawyer and pastor, Nel- Mugabe said in a refer- Mugabe, who has backed And he added: "Whoever tion, alleged vote-rigging,
son Chamisa. He indicat- ence to Mnangagwa, a new political party that is wins, we wish him well ... violent land seizures from
ed, however, that Chamisa who took office with the part of a coalition support- And let us accept the ver- white farmers and years of
was the only viable candi- military's support. "I cannot ing Chamisa, said of him: dict." international sanctions.q