International
After accusing him of leading a de facto coup, Mugabe says he now accepts Mnangagwa as legitimate president
Former long-time leader Robert Mugabe says he now accepts newly elected Emmerson Mnangagwa as the legitimate president of Zimbabwe.
Mugabe’s comments are coming after he initially accused Mnangagwa of leading a “disgraceful” de facto coup that ended his near four-decades rule last year.
The former leader revealed that much during the funeral wake-keep of his mother-in-law, and also added that Mnangagwa’s victory, which is still disputed by his main opponent Nelson Chamisa, made him a legitimate president.
“The wrong that happened last November has been erased by his victory in the July 30 elections. We now have a government born out of the constitution. I now accept his leadership and he now deserves the support of every Zimbabwean,” Mugabe said, looking frail in video footage on an online television site.
“Before the elections, I did not support him because he came through illegal means which violated our liberation values that politics lead the gun,” added Mugabe, likely ending the feud between the new president and his former mentor.
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