Mugabe falls down stairs in front of supporters - Pictures

Zimbabwe's 90-year-old President Robert Mugabe fell down a staircase on Wednesday as he walked off a podium after addressing supporters at Harare international airport, an AFP correspondent said.

He was quickly helped up by aides and walked to a waiting car.

The fall shocked many and sent security into panic. Photojournalists were forced to delete pictures of the Zanu PF strongman on the ground.







He had just returned from Ethiopia where he took over the rotating chairmanship of the African Union.

He was met at the Harare International Airport by Vice Presidents Emmerson Mnangagwa and Phelekezela Mphoko, senior government officials and thousands of Zanu-PF supporters who came to welcome him after a fruitful AU summit.

Africa's oldest leader, who turns 91 later this month, had concluded his homecoming speech when he tumbled to his knees on a short flight of stairs in an incident witnessed by journalists and hundreds of supporters.



Addressing the gathering, President Mugabe said his election to lead the continental body is a victory for the country and must be celebrated by all regardless of political affiliation.

Mugabe also said all African leaders were unanimous on the need to remain united and to go back to the values of the founding fathers of the then Organisation of African Unity (OAU).

President Mugabe, who is also the SADC Chairman, reiterated the need for Africa to be committed to value-addition of its vast natural resources which will take Zimbabwe and the continent at large to greater heights.

Mugabe took over the post of African Union chair on Friday, replacing Mauritania's President Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz.

The former liberation war hero is Africa's third-longest serving leader.