British Prime Minister Theresa May said Robert Mugabe’s resignation on Tuesday gave Zimbabwe “an opportunity to forge a new path free of the oppression that characterised his rule,” and declared Britain stood ready to help.
“In recent days we have seen the desire of the Zimbabwean people for free and fair elections and the opportunity to rebuild the country’s economy under a legitimate government,” she said in a statement.
“As Zimbabwe’s oldest friend we will do all we can to support this, working with our international and regional partners to help the country achieve the brighter future it so deserves.”
Mugabe, who had led Zimbabwe since independence from Britain in 1980, resigned as president on Tuesday as parliament began impeachment proceedings after a military takeover.
Welcoming his decision, British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson added to May’s call for free and fair elections.
“I will not pretend to regret Mugabe’s downfall: but this can now be a turning point, a moment of hope for this beautiful country, full of potential,” he said.
“The immediate priority is to ensure that Zimbabwe has a legitimate government, appointed through free and fair elections in accordance with the constitution.”
Johnson pledged that Britain stood “ready to support Zimbabwe in this goal.
“Last week, he also expressed hope for change in the country, but warned that “nobody wants simply to see the transition from one unelected tyrant to the next”.
– AFP
COMMENTS
Britain is now very slow to react to major events. Maybe its the aging population or its leaders are preoccupied with stressful personal issues or the current leadership has ditched familiar dishes for roasted chameleons or I don’t know. So they are waiting for France or Germany to do something. Britain must be the closest friend of Zimbabwe but lo they still talk old stories.
why should Zimbabweans be bothered that Britain was slow to react? If you remember they said it wasn’t in the British interest to support Joshua Nkomo when he escaped from Zimbabwe. Why should it be in Zimbabweans interest to worry about the British Germans, French etc, when they should focus on putting their house in order. ED was always who he is but was smart enough to know what kind of evil Mugabe was if you dared to show how good one is. Take a look at some of the heroes who died suspiciously. Anyway the British , Tories especially support Mugabe and thank god they didn’t see this coming otherwise they would have tipped Mugabe. in fact the more I think about it, the more I think they were more than happy for Mugabe to continue (like they did with Pinochet in Chile)because he was good not for Zimbabweans but for them!! Ed is giving a second chance to Zimbabweans to wake up
Funny that, they are responsible for putting the old tyrant in power in the first place. If they had adhered to the Lancaster house agreement none of this would have happened! Lets hope they pay the farmers out for their land now as they originally agreed.
It was Carrington, Soames and Carter who caused the problem so let’s not put too much hope in anyone from there.
Yes, that’s what free and fair elections do. The last free and fair ones were in 1980 when the brilliant citizens of Zimbabwe overwhelmingly elected Mugabe. I can remember the ululating and dancing in the streets just like the last couple of days. They are so short sighted they think that the demise of Mugabe and the installation of Mnangagwa, who they laud as their saviour, is something to celebrate crazily. Mnangagwa has been twinned with Mugabe since the 1960’s. They are the same creature. The dictatorship continues as Mnangagwa’s sidekick and partner in crime, Chiwenga, has said the military will never accept an MDC government. Some twaddle about the gains of the REVOLOOOOSHAAAN. Have you seen the size of Chiwenga’s house? The self aggrandisement of the massive initials emblazoned across the façade! All on an army general’s salary.
Its time to be positive now!!!!
ha ha
As a demise to the fate of Zimbabwe.Please everyone listen carefully to the statements and the comments of the Zimbabwe defense force spoke person, as this clearly indicates how deep the hole goes as far as this sickness of dictatorship goes.
first and fore most the uniform he is wearing is that of the national government not of the ZANU PF. secondly his choice of words turn to favour ZANU PF then the army should no longer be called NATIONAL DEFENSE FORCE it should then be called ZANU DEFENSE FORCE.
I AM IN A REFUGEE CAMP IN KENYA BECAUSE OF THIS MAN AFTER MY FATHER KILLED BY HIS RETIRED UNKOWN.THE OLNY ZIMBABWEAN.
Perfidious Albion…the hand shake of a wet fish…..
But i think god father and jesus the son have got the same job
OK, time for “positive”… but calm down and stop the unrealistic expectations.
How about “time for reflection”… acknowledging that communist-backed, terrorist Mugabe and friends came to power by foreign intervention, but the Zim people kept him there. I suspect many who are now dancing in the streets were very aware of how the elections were run, but justified the stealing of the vote because it kept ZANU-PF in power… too partisan to care about the truth and honesty.
Keep the vigil. Mnangagwa will say all the right stuff, just as Mugabe did in 1980, to appease the West and be granted billions of dollars… most of which went into personal off-shore accounts. So, “follow the money”, as the saying goes. Does the infrastructure get repaired and updated, or do more big mansions get built? Is industry and business supported, or does the fleecing continue? Are actual observers welcomed at the polling places, or only friends of ZANU-PF?
The ball is in your court, my friends. Don’t squander it again. Be positive, but keep the vigil, and watch with a critical eye.
SURELY U WILL INSTAL ANOTHER MUGABE IN THE NAME OF EMERSON