Robert Mugabe appeals for calm amid economic crisis in Zimbabwe
Zimbabwean president Robert Mugabe has appealed for calm as his government battles to contain a debilitating economic crisis.
The 92-year-old president appeared frail but jovial, struggling with his lines a bit as he delivered a 30-minute State of the Nation address.
He praised the country's security forces for maintaining order, although critics accuse them of using violence to stifle dissent.
The once prosperous but now economically struggling southern African country is battling cash shortages, high unemployment and company closures.
A new local currency, introduced last week, has failed to end cash shortages, with many people still sleeping outside banks to access their money.
#Zimbabwe central bank introduced bond notes Monday amid biting cash shortages in the economy https://t.co/jXb2gfbkAx @XHNews #africa pic.twitter.com/Boooxdtokb
— ZIMBO NEXUS (@ZIMBONEXUS) December 2, 2016
The cash crunch has meant that Mugabe's government has failed to pay its workers on time since June.
