HARARE (BNO NEWS) -- A newly-released confidential cable from the U.S. Embassy in Harare reveals that U.S. diplomats were told in 2008 that Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe had only three to five years left to live due to cancer.

The diplomatic cable, which was dated June 6, 2008, outlined a private meeting two days earlier between U.S. Ambassador James McGee and Zimbabwe's Reserve Bank Governor Gideon Gono. It took place just several weeks before the second round of voting in the disputed presidential election.

The U.S. cable said Gono told McGee that Mugabe "has prostate cancer that has metastasized and, according to doctors, will cause his death in three to five years." It said Mugabe's doctor had recommended he cut back on his activities, and Gono reported that Mugabe was planning to step down after the election.

"Gono told the Ambassador he had suggested to Mugabe that he retire from politics and concentrate on his memoirs," another U.S. cable from 2008 said. "Mugabe was resistant because of uncertainty of who and what would succeed him. Trust had broken down between him and the Mujuru faction, there was corruption throughout the party, and there was no one he had confidence in as a successor."

Gono also told U.S. diplomats that 'the architects' of a Simba Makoni presidency lacked credibility. Makoni was a candidate during the 2008 election but received only 8.3 percent of the vote, finishing third. "Any successor to Mugabe, Gono added, would need the support of the military," the U.S. cable said. "[Gono] implied that nobody as yet had this."

But despite worrying reports about Mugabe's health, U.S. diplomats described the Zimbabwean leader in a 2009 cable as 'possibly the healthiest 85-year-old in Zimbabwe.' The diplomats noted that, during a lengthy meeting, Mugabe would constantly move and pull up his sock but described him as alert and engaged.

"Despite previous rumors of possible throat cancer, we noted that his voice was fairly strong although he did speak softly at times during the first hour," the confidential cable from 2009 said. "Aside from frequent shifting, he rarely cleared his throat and appeared to be a vigorous 85-year-old in superb health."

But a U.S. cable nearly three months later, in late August 2009, noted that Mugabe made a quick trip to Dubai. "While his office reports he was on holiday, many believe he was receiving medical care," the cable said. "In the past he has often traveled to Malaysia for treatment of his suspected prostate cancer." The cable added at the time that, despite rumors of Mugabe being extremely ill, he assumed a full schedule when he returned from Dubai.

Mugabe has ruled Zimbabwe since December 1987, making him one of Africa's longest-lasting leaders.