Zimbabwe's President Robert Mugabe has criticized party members pushing to succeed him. The 92-year-old leader is set to be endorsed as the presidential candidate for the 2018 elections at the ongoing party conference.
Image: picture alliance/dpa/A. Ufumeli
Advertisement
Party delegates of Zimbabwe's ruling ZANU-PF, who are attending the annual conference in Masvingo, sang and danced as they heaped praise on their veteran leader, describing him as "God-given." President Robert Mugabe has ruled Zimbabwe for nearly three decades.
When the only leader that Zimbabwe has known since independence took to the podium, he exuded confidence. Mugabe told the delegates participating at the 16th annual conference that his party is standing on solid ground despite infighting that almost split the party earlier in 2016. "The party remains strong. There is no doubt about it; in fact very strong and formidable by any doubt. We have had all our opponents prostrated, thrown down flat on the ground," Mugabe said.
Zimbabweans have been demonstrating against harsh economic timesImage: Reuters/P.Bulawayo
The 92-year-old leader admitted, however, that there were some in the party who were after his presidency and would like him to step down. He also acknowledged that Zimbabwe was facing challenges, and called for unity.
ZANU-PF squabbles
Observers say that the factional fighting amongst senior party leaders is because they are trying to position themselves to succeed Mugabe. In 2014, several senior party leaders were expelled after they were accused of allegedly plotting to oust President Mugabe. At the annual conference, he took aim at some of these party leaders. He accused those calling for his retirement of fomenting discord in the party by promoting indiscipline.
"There has been creeping into our party a new culture of indiscipline and arrogance. There are rules to be obeyed. You cannot dictate how things should be done," Mugabe said. He also challenged those who want him to step down to come out and say how it should be done.
#ThisFlag: The man behind the hashtag that shut Zimbabwe down
02:57
This browser does not support the video element.
Civic society groups and pro-democracy activists have been mounting pressure on Mugabe to resign. Several demonstrations have been held to protest against the country's economic meltdown and ZANU-PF's leadership.
Leaders losing track?
Joshua Sako, a white commercial farmer who has supported ZANU-PF since his youth, told DW that senior party leaders, whose fights have been played out in public, are a disgrace to the party that led Zimbabwe to independence from Britain in 1980.
"Some of our seniors seem to be losing track. It is not about individual interests. If you start concentrating on what is important for you as an individual, then you lose focus," said Sako. He said that what matters were issues of importance for the whole country, as well as the party. "We need to remain focused on what we can achieve together.”
The ZANU-PF 16th annual conference, which ends on Saturday, is set to endorse Mugabe again as the party's presidential candidate for the 2018 elections.
Africa’s first ladies: Soft power at work
They may not have been elected but they still hold considerable power and influence. Some of Africa's first ladies even have an eye for the presidency. Meet the women behind these leaders.
Image: picture-alliance/dpa/M. Hutchings
Grace Mugabe: once ridiculed, now feared
For a long time she remained in the background. She had two children with President Robert Mugabe while he was still married to his first wife. Grace became first lady after Mugabe became a widower. She is now chairperson of the ruling ZANU-PF's Women's League, where she wields huge influence. Although she denies the accusations, many view her as a possible successor to her 93-year-old husband.
Image: Getty Images/AFP/A. Joe
Aisha Buhari: 'Wife of the President'
Most Nigerians were pleasantly surprised when Aisha Buhari announced she would respect the constitution not to engage in politics. Instead, she would only take part in charitable activities. Upon taking office, her husband President Muhammadu Buhari scrapped the Office of the First Lady saying it was a waste of public funds and incompatible with the constitution.
Image: Getty Images/AFP/P. U. Ekpei
Margaret Kenyatta: Darling of the public
Kenyans love their first lady. The reclusive Margaret Gakuo Kenyatta has drawn much attention with her campaign to reduce maternal and child mortality. The daughter of a Kenyan railway operator father and a German mother, Mrs. Kenyatta is considered modest and restrained. She has been married to President Uhuru Kenyatta since 1991.
Image: imago/Xinhua
Ana Paula dos Santos: from flight to might
Ana Paula dos Santos worked as a flight attendant and a model. She met her husband, Angolan President Jose Eduardo dos Santos, while at work on board the Angolan Air Force One. Whereas some praise her for her commitment to women and children's welfare, others criticize her for her expensive lifestyle. Ana Paula is dos Santos' fourth wife and they have three children.
Image: picture-alliance/dpa/P. Novais
Dominique Ouattara: Femme fatale?
Dominique Ouattara has always liked to mingle with the powerful. When she met Ivorian President Allasane Outtara in the late 80s, she had made an international career as a real estate agent. By marrying Ouattara, the business lady added more clout in the country’s political sphere. She is devoted to her children’s rights foundation.
Image: Getty Images/AFP/S. Kambou
Janet Museveni: Uganda’s 'eternal' first lady
Janet Museveni's 30 years as Uganda’s First Lady makes her probably the longest serving first lady in Africa. After the disputed election victory of her husband Yoweri Museveni, she is set to stay "in office" for a while. The mother of four became politically active in her late years. Since 2006, she has been a lawmaker and in June her husband appointed her as education and sports minister.
Image: Imago/Xinhua
Marieme Faye Sall: Senegal's housewife first lady
Senegal’s first "native" First Lady Marieme Faye Sall (Right) with US First Lady Michelle Obama (Left) is the first "indigenous" first lady of Senegal. All others before her had a French background. She is described as a devoted housewife who hardly interferes in President Macky Sall's work. However, the couple is often criticized for their conservative lifestyle.
Image: Getty Images/AFP/S. Diallo
Marie Olive Lembe: Discreet and considerate
For many years she was engaged to Congolese President Joseph Kabila. In 2006 she eventually became first lady. Marie Olive Lembe di Sita has two children with her husband. She is believed to have a close relationship with Jaynet Kabila, the twin sister of President Kabila, who is considered his right arm. Thus, the Democratic Republic of Congo has two de facto first ladies.
Image: Imago/Reporters
South Africa: Will the 'real First Lady' please stand up?
2008 saw a wedding marathon for South Africa's President Jacob Zuma. Within four years, he married three women: Nompumelelo Zuma, Thobeka Zuma and Bongi Ngema-Zuma. The three were in addition to Sizakelle, Zuma's wife of many years. His ex-wife Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma carries his name too. She is the Chairperson of the African Union. Critics say Zuma's extended family costs taxpayers a fortune.
