Mugabe mulls staying in power by force
Friday, 13 Jun 2008 19:44
Robert Mugabe may use force to stay in power
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Robert Mugabe has publicly raised the possibility of using force to stay in power if he is defeated in this month's presidential election runoff.
The Movement for Democratic Change's (MDC) Morgan Tsvangirai won more votes in the first-round poll on March 29th but did not secure a majority, meaning he takes on Mr Mugabe in the two-way second-round vote on June 27th.
In comments carried by state media Mr Mugabe said he had been approached by war of independence veterans willing to take up arms against those threatening to remove him from power through democratic means.
"They said this country was won by the barrel of the gun and should we let it go at the stroke of a pen?" the Herald newspaper quoted him as saying.
"Should one just write an X and then the country goes just like that?"
A group of around 40
African leaders believe this should be the case. A letter, signed by prominent figures including former UN secretary general Kofi Annan and former Mozambique president Joaquim Chissano says they are "deeply troubled" by reports of violence in
Zimbabwe.
The MDC's secretary general Tendai Biti remains in custody after being detained at Harare airport yesterday. He has been charged with treason for publishing election results prematurely and faces the death penalty or life in prison if convicted.