Windhoek — ZIMBABWEAN President Robert Mugabe should have opted for a graceful exit from office like former Namibian President Sam Nujoma did in 2005 and Festus Mogae of Botswana, who stepped down last week after completing 10 years as President, a Swapo backbencher said.

"This is a good example, unlike what happened in Kenya and [is unfolding] in Zimbabwe," said Royal /Ui/o/oo of the ruling Swapo Party in the National Assembly on Thursday.

When stepping down, Botswana's Mogae advised other leaders "in similar circumstances: leave when the time for you to leave comes, and you will be embraced with love by your people," /Ui/o/oo quoted the outgoing Botswana President in his contribution to the Budget debate.

"What President Mugabe is doing to our fellow Africans is deplorable - forcing them to take refuge in other countries like Botswana, Namibia and South Africa - but we still support him," the Swapo backbencher stated.

"Straight talk does not break a friendship, an English saying goes.

We are much biased because had the same been done by a white person, we all would have teamed up against him or her," /Ui/o/oo told the House.