News / National
Mugabe defends coalition government
18 Apr 2011 at 10:25hrs | Views
President Robert Mugabe is defending the nation's bitterly divided coalition government as the country marks 31 years of independence.
Robert Mugabe says though the coalition he joined after violence-plagued elections in 2008 missed some objectives and faced "outright misunderstandings," it strove for national unity despite Western interference. Monday is the anniversary of Zimbabwe's independence from Britain.
Critics blame Mugabe for stalling reforms and not stopping surging political violence.
After recent medical treatment, Mugabe, 87, strode the length of two soccer fields to inspect a military parade in the blazing sun. In a robust 30-minute address at a 50,000 seat sports stadium afterward, he called for peaceful campaigning ahead of fresh elections he wants this year.
Robert Mugabe says though the coalition he joined after violence-plagued elections in 2008 missed some objectives and faced "outright misunderstandings," it strove for national unity despite Western interference. Monday is the anniversary of Zimbabwe's independence from Britain.
After recent medical treatment, Mugabe, 87, strode the length of two soccer fields to inspect a military parade in the blazing sun. In a robust 30-minute address at a 50,000 seat sports stadium afterward, he called for peaceful campaigning ahead of fresh elections he wants this year.
Source - AP
