But there has been speculation about his health after he travelled to Singapore for medical checks.

He has the backing of his Tourism Minister Walter Mzembi who says the president is “of sound mental state and completely in charge of his faculties”.

He told Hardtalk’s Sarah Montague that it was the wish of the Zimbabwean people that Mr Mugabe should continue as president.

Last month, first lady Grace Mugabe said if the party were to field his corpse, he would still win.

You can see the interview in full on Monday 20 March on BBC World News and on the BBC News Channel and after on BBC iPlayer (UK only)