Zimbabwe

Mugabe says he will never surrender

Article published on the 2008-12-19 Latest update 2008-12-20 10:28 TU

Zimbabwe's President Robert Mugabe at the Zanu-pf party conference
(Credit: Reuters)

Zimabwean President Robert Mugabe swore that he will never surrender to Britain and other foreign powers hostile to his rule, adding "Zimbabwe is mine", in a speech to the annual meeting of his Zanu-PF party.

"I will never, never, never, never surrender. Zimbabwe is mine, I am a Zimbabwean. Zimbabwe for Zimbabweans. Zimbabwe never for the British, Britain for the British," Mugabe told the party faithful.

Despite a crumbling economy and a cholera epidemic, Mugabe displayed defiance and criticised western governments who have been calling for his resignation.

A cholera epidemic has killed more than 1,100 people, according to the UN.

Mugabe claimed that Zimbabwe was facing a war with Britain, supported by the US and Europe.

“I won’t be intimidated. Even if I am threatened with beheading, I believe this and nothing will ever move me from it – Zimbabwe belongs to us, not the British,” said Mugabe.

Meanwhile, Morgan Tsvangirai, leader of the opposition Movement for Democratic Change threatened to quit talks for a unity government over the abduction of 42 members of his party.

Although a draft constitutional amendment making Tsvangirai prime minister was recognised last week, it will still take 30 days to be adopted. There are also disagreements over the national security council and allocations of portfolios in the proposed government.

Mugabe also commented on the delayed talks, adding, “I don’t know whether this inclusive government is going to work or not.”