Is Mugabe headed for exile in Ghana?

Zuma holds parley with new leader, puts off SADC trip

By Nsikan Ikpe

Intrigues and anxieties have continued to dog the political affairs of Zimbabwe following the resignation, Tuesday, of deposed President Robert Mugabe.

In one such development, the Minority Spokesperson on Foreign Affairs in the West African nation of Ghana is asking Ghana’s president Nana Akufo-Addo to grant asylum to the resigned Zimbabwean leader Robert Mugabe.

Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa believes Ghana will be the safest haven for Mugabe who had been forced to announce his resignation from office Tuesday, after a protracted spell of 37 years in power.

The North Tongu Member of Parliament is worried about the safety of Mugabe and wants the African Union to take interest in how the 93-year-old is treated by the incoming administration.

As things  stand now, Emmerson Mnangagwa, Deputy President to Mugabe, who had fled the country after threats on his life has returned and would be taking over from the 93-year-old on Friday.

The developments are coming atop months of scheming by the deposed leader to have his wife, Grace Mugabe, takeover from him.

Commenting on these developments, Ablakwa said the security of Mr Mugabe must be of paramount interest to the whole of Africa, and particularly the African Union.

While congratulating the military for respecting Mr Mugabe and treating him with dignity, he is concerned the situation may change, now that he is out of power.

On the rationale for his requesting a place of refuge for Mugabe in Ghana, the lawmaker said: “Mugabe already has close ties with Ghana…he was trained as a liberation fighter; he married his first wife in Ghana; his son was buried in Ghana, he loves Ghana.’

Meanwhile, as the intrigues over the future of Zimbabwe continue, South Africa’s President Jacob Zuma has put off a planned trip by the Southern African Development Community to assess the state of affairs in Zimbabwe.

This cancellation is coming on the heels of a stop-over visit to him by incoming President, Emmerson Mnangagwa, who sources say, will now be officially inaugurated on Friday.