everyone is aware that it is time for Mugabe to hand over his seat to a new generation…Ivory Coast President…

LATEST: Botswana president Ian Khama has urged his counterpart in Zimbabwe, President Robert Mugabe to leave office so that Zimbabwe can get back on the “path of peace and prosperity.”

He also told Mugabe that he had no regional support from SADC to prolong his 37 years in power. Mugabe is reported to have agreed to leave power in principle after the Zimbabwe Defence Forces seized power in the early hours of Wednesday.

In Ivory Coast, President Alassane Ouattara on Friday saluted Mr Mugabe’s role in the fight against colonialism, saying he “has been the object of respect and even adulation from many Africans and young Africans.”

“But the world has changed,” he said. “Clearly, given his age and the long time he has spent in office, everyone is aware that it is time for him to hand over his seat to a new generation.”