Mugabe 'rests his eyes' as Trump speaks at U.N., Twitter users react

Zimbabwean president, Robert Mugabe, was seen with his “eyes closed” when United States’ President Donald Trump was delivering his first address at the ongoing United Nations General Assembly in New York.

A screen grab of a CNN coverage showed the 93-year-old with his left hand supporting his cheek when Trump was speaking.

His hand was fixed on the translation device in the hall. The picture shows Mugabe surrounded by government officials. It is unclear whether he was sleeping or as a government official once put it, “resting his eyes.”

But social media has not missed out on the situation as people have been tweeting about how serious, disturbing or funny Mugabe’s action was.

He is known to sleep at different functions until his spokesman explained to the contrary.According to George Charamba, Mugabe sought medical attention overseas for an eye condition strictly on the advice of local opticians.

“At 93, there is something that happens to the eyes and the President cannot suffer bright lights. If you look at his poise, he looks down, avoids direct lighting,” Charamba said.

“It (the trip to Singapore) has to do with his eyes and often I have felt very, very pained. In fact, I feel like a failure when there is this reading that the President is sleeping in conferences – no,” he told the state-owned Herald newspaper.

#UNGA Zimbabwe listening to Trump. Mugabe is gone. Others have their earpieces on hoping to catch a translation of the nonsense he's saying! pic.twitter.com/U7nhXkz3bK

— Nicolas P. Basabose (@MrBasabose) September 19, 2017

President #Mugabe at #UN general assembly today #UNGA 19/09/2017 pic.twitter.com/bWxibGcYyA

— Povo News (@povonewsafrica) September 19, 2017

Well, Zimbabwe is right in the house and Pres. Mugabe is resting his eyes. #UNGA pic.twitter.com/NxiH5SDEaS

— KhayelihleKhumalo (@KhayaJames) September 19, 2017

I just love President Robert Mugabe, he and his aides are paying full attention to the #UNGA pic.twitter.com/9n5a5iYTso

— OIO Creatives (@oio_creatives) September 19, 2017

Mugabe has never made me more proud. #UNGA pic.twitter.com/y45uX7ROts

— Nyawira (@GraceJustBeing) September 19, 2017

President Robert Mugabe, as usual, duly representing Zimbabwe at the ongoing United Nations General Assembly #UNGA pic.twitter.com/MT5frpgR71

— BizAfricaDaily (@BizAfricaDaily) September 19, 2017