Robert Mugabe, the man who has presided over Zimbabwe for nearly 40 years, defied calls to step down as head of state on Sunday night after earlier being sacked as leader of the ruling Zanu-PF party.

Mr Mugabe, the world’s oldest leader, had been told to resign as president by midday on Monday or face impeachment by parliament. But on Sunday evening he shocked viewers around the world when he said he would preside over Zanu-PF’s congress next month and gave no sign that he would relinquish his role as president.

Flanked by the generals who have taken over the country — and stumbling through a sometimes rambling speech — he admitted that his ruling party had become involved in factional infighting that had neglected the economy and damaged its people.