Zimbabwean ruler Robert Mugabe called for reconciliation in his troubled country Sunday night – but refused to resign the seat of power he’s held since 1987.
Both Reuters and the Associated Press reported, citing government sources, that Mugabe – under house arrest in an apparent coup – was going to step down in a highly anticipated national address.
While Mugabe acknowledged deep political divisions in Zimbabwe, he never said he was resigning.
“We cannot be guided by bitterness or vengefulness – both of which would not make us any better,” he told the nation, seated at a table with military and political leaders around him.
Mugabe said he will be presiding over an upcoming session of congress.
“The government remains committed to improving this social and material conditions of the people,” the ruler said.
Mugabe ended the rambling speech: “I thank you and good night.”
Hours earlier, Mugabe was fired by his own party as its leader.
Opponents of Mugabe celebrated what they thought was his ouster.
“Christmas has come early in Zimbabwe,” constitutional lawyer and Mugabe critic Fadzayi Mahere told Sky News. “There is no running away from the fact that everyone associated the broken state of the nation with the president.”
Mugabe had been told by party leaders to resign by noon Monday or face impeachment, sources said.
The 93-year-old has been under house arrest since the African nation’s army seized control last week, toppling his long-standing government.
The state -run Herald newspaper on Sunday tweeted pictures of Mugabe meeting with military leaders, in an apparent bid to negotiation terms of his ouster.
Mugabe’s ZANU-PF party replaced him as its leader Sunday with former Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa – who had been fired by Mugabe two weeks ago, which eventually led to the army’s intervention.
Party leaders also expelled Mugabe’s wife, who the embattled president had set up to be his eventual successor after Mnangagwa’s firing.
During a meeting of the party’s central committee, members chanted for Mugabe’s removal: “He must go!”
If Mugabe doesn’t resign, that would surely spark violence in the streets, according to Chris Mutsvangwa, an influential member of the ruling party.
Mutsvangwa said the army might have to resort to force to protect Mugabe, if he doesn’t step down.
“We would expect that Mugabe would not have the prospect of the military shooting at people, trying to defend him,” Mutsvangwa said. “The choice is his.”