Robert Mugabe 'ruling Zimbabwe from his sickbed'
President reportedly receiving medical treatment in Singapore for third time this year
Robert Mugabe is "ruling Zimbabwe from a hospital bed", opposition parties have claimed after the 93-year-old politician reportedly made his third trip to Singapore for medical treatment this year.
A government minister told The Standard newspaper Mugabe was making a private visit to the city state. However, an opposition party spokesman said Singapore was "literally his home now".
Another added: "The country is stagnant today because the Zanu president is running the show from his hospital bed."
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Mugabe reportedly flew to Singapore on Friday, causing the ruling Zanu-PF party to cancel a youth rally that he had been scheduled to attend and prompting speculation that the trip had been unplanned.
Africa's oldest leader, who took power in 1980, spent more than £39m on foreign travel last year, double the amount allocated to upgrading the country's hospitals and health centres, according to data from the Zimbabwean treasury cited by The Guardian.
He has been beset by health problems in recent years but has nevertheless said he plans to live to 100 and rule for life. His Zanu-PF party has already entered him as their candidate for the 2018 elections, while his wife Grace has said he should run "as a corpse" if he dies before then.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
'The Hum': the real-life noise behind The Listeners
In The Spotlight Can some of us also hear the disturbing sound that plagues characters in the hit TV show – and where is it coming from?
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published
-
The Week Unwrapped: Are we any closer to identifying UFOs?
Podcast Plus, will deals with Tunisia and Kurdistan help Labour? And what next for the Wagner Group?
By The Week Staff Published
-
Quiz of The Week: 16 - 22 November
Have you been paying attention to The Week's news?
By The Week Staff Published
-
Has the Taliban banned women from speaking?
Today's Big Question 'Rambling' message about 'bizarre' restriction joins series of recent decrees that amount to silencing of Afghanistan's women
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Cuba's energy crisis
The Explainer Already beset by a host of issues, the island nation is struggling with nationwide blackouts
By Rebekah Evans, The Week UK Published
-
Putin's fixation with shamans
Under the Radar Secretive Russian leader, said to be fascinated with occult and pagan rituals, allegedly asked for blessing over nuclear weapons
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Chimpanzees are dying of human diseases
Under the radar Great apes are vulnerable to human pathogens thanks to genetic similarity, increased contact and no immunity
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Deaths of Jesse Baird and Luke Davies hang over Sydney's Mardi Gras
The Explainer Police officer, the former partner of TV presenter victim, charged with two counts of murder after turning himself in
By Austin Chen, The Week UK Published
-
Quiz of The Week: 24 February - 1 March
Puzzles and Quizzes Have you been paying attention to The Week's news?
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
Will mounting discontent affect Iran election?
Today's Big Question Low turnout is expected in poll seen as crucial test for Tehran's leadership
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
Sweden clears final NATO hurdle with Hungary vote
Speed Read Hungary's parliament overwhelmingly approved Sweden's accession to NATO
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published