Mugabe is too 'tired' to solve crisis, Zimbabwe opposition protest

Hundreds of protesters took to the streets of Zimbabwe’s capital Harare on Thursday, demanding an end to President Mugabe’s rule.

The protesters were dressed in red colours of the main opposition party – Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) – as they chanted songs denouncing the president.

“We are not demanding an overthrow of the government, we are demanding a dignified exit for a tired Mugabe,” opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai said.

The demonstration was authorised by the High Court in Harare and was done under the surveillance of security forces.

The protesters were demanding to have the 2.2 million new jobs promised by the ruling Zanu-PF party during its 2013 election campaign pledge, as well as transparency on government revenue.

“Mugabe has no solution to the crisis because he is too tired,“Tsvangirai told reporters.

Opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai was quoted as saying that it was just the beginning of a wave of protests geared towards forcing Mugabe to resign.

Zimbabwe is facing a “tough” economic outlook with negative growth this year amidst struggles to clear long-standing arrears with its international lenders.