Zimbabwe’s President Robert Mugabe, 93, has called on leaders vying to succeed him to keep their ambitions in check, saying their chance to lead will come.

Speaking at a youth rally in Marondera town, Mr Mugabe said:

We want our party to remain united and not divided. If you are a real Zanu-PF member, be true to your party.”

He urged those seeking to succeed him to “be at peace”:

The time will come. It’s certainly coming.”

Mr Mugabe’s wife Grace Mugabe and his deputy Emmerson Mnangagwa are seen as jockeying to succeed him, causing huge divisions in the ruling Zanu-PF party.

Zanu-PF has, however, endorsed Mr Mugabe as its presidential candidate in next year’s election.