President Robert Mugabe delivered a rambling address on live television offering no concessions, after ruling party Zanu-PF sacked him as leaderZimbabwe’s ongoing crisis descended into outright chaos on Sunday after president Robert Mugabe failed to announce his resignation as widely expected in a national address on live television. Instead, in a rambling 30 minute address, Mugabe offered no concessions to his critics, the tens of thousands who marched calling for his resignation or the army commanders who led the military takeover last week. Play Video 0:31 Robert Mugabe sacked as Zanu-PF leader in Zimbabwe – videoEmmerson Mnangagwa, the vice-president whose sacking 13 days ago led to the military takeover, was appointed interim leader of the party. Two senior politicians close to the first lady are believed to have taken refuge with their families in the president’s residence on the night of the military takeover. Few options are now open to Mugabe, who ruled Zimbabwe through a mixture of coercion, bribery and revolutionary rhetoric, beyond playing for time.

Source: The Guardian November 19, 2017 12:05 UTC