President Robert Mugabe turns 91 tomorrow and is now the world’s oldest head of state. But his case is unique because he has no plans to step down. Mugabe’s current term ends in 2018 when he will be 94.
He took over the mantle in July last year when Israeli President Shimon Peres, who was 91, stepped down.
Queen Elizabeth of England, who is in second place, has been on the throne longer having been crowned in 1952 but is two years younger than Mugabe. Her throne is for life.
Mugabe has been in power since 1980 with the first seven years as Prime Minister. Mugabe has worked with six Zambian presidents, two of whom died in office. He has worked with four South African presidents, four Botswana presidents, four Tanzanian presidents and five Malawian presidents, one of whom died in office.
Mugabe’s Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front is currently purging some of Mugabe’s former top lieutenants after they were accused of trying to topple him. So far 17 government ministers have been fired from the government, and four senior officials expelled from the party.
God, Mugabe and The West explains why Mugabe has survived this long especially since the Western onslaught on him in 2003.
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