Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe

After Zanu-PF vowed to impeach President Mugabe and replace him with ex-vice-president Emmerson Mnangagwa, who had been fired two weeks ago, President Mugabe in his rambling televised speech to Zimbabwe on Sunday refused to resign as president.

The 93-year-old said he had met with the nation’s security force command before speaking to the nation, but vowed to stay in power.

While acknowledging the struggles and criticisms that led the nation’s security forces to seize power, and the pressure for him to resign, Mugabe said he will preside over the ZANU-PF congress in December however it’s not clear how Robert Mugabe can preside over Zanu-PF’s congress next month, following his dismissal as party leader.

ALSO READ:Robert Mugabe in first public appearance since Zimbabwe’s military coup

The leader of Zimbabwe’s influential war veterans said plans for impeachment would go ahead as scheduled. “That speech has nothing to do with realities. We will go for impeachment and we are calling people back to the streets,” said Chris Mutsvangwa.

The leaders of the military takeover will issue a statement today.

Impeaching the president would require a two-thirds majority in both houses of Zimbabwe’s parliament, which is due to resume on Tuesday. But it is a clear indication that if Parliament holds a vote on his future, they will have the numbers to impeach him.

ALSO READ:Zimbabwe military puts country on lockdown

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Robert Mugabe and Grace Mugabe

Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe has refused to resign after meeting generals who have seized control of the country, as sources suggested the veteran leader was “buying time” to negotiate his exit.

The talks in Harare on Thursday come after soldiers this week put Mugabe under house arrest, took over state TV and blockaded main roads in a stunning turnaround for the 93-year-old leader who has ruled the country with an iron fist since 1980.

Mugabe’s motorcade took him from his private residence to the State House for the talks, which were also attended by envoys from the Southern African Development Community (SADC) regional bloc.

“They met today. He is refusing to step down. I think he is trying to buy time,” said a source close to the army leadership who declined to be named.

Government TV showed Mugabe, the world’s oldest head of state, dressed in a navy blue blazer and grey trousers standing alongside army chief General Constantino Chiwenga who smiled and was dressed in fatigues.

Scathing rebuke 

Zimbabwe was left stunned by this week’s military intervention but attention has swiftly shifted to the prominent figures who could play a role in any transitional government.

Mugabe’s advanced age, poor health and listless public performances have fuelled a bitter succession battle between his wife Grace and former vice president Emmerson Mnangagwa, who Mugabe sacked last week.

Mnangagwa, 75, was previously one of Mugabe’s most loyal lieutenants, having worked alongside him for decades.

But he fled to South Africa following his dismissal and published a scathing rebuke of Mugabe’s leadership and Grace’s presidential ambitions.

The generals are strongly opposed to Grace Mugabe‘s rise, while Mnangagwa has maintained close ties to the army and could emerge as the next president.

‘Very delicate time’ 

Morgan Tsvangirai, a former prime minister and long-time opponent of Mugabe, told journalists in Harare that Mugabe must resign “in the interest of the people”.

He added that “a transitional mechanism” would be needed to ensure stability.

Tendai Biti, who served as finance minister during the coalition government after the 2008 elections, called it “a very delicate time for Zimbabwe”.

“A way has to be worked out to maintain stability. That restoration requires a roadmap and to address the grievances that have led to this situation,” he said.

The African Union said it would allow Zimbabwe’s southern neighbours in the SADC to mediate in the crisis.

Smail Chergui, the AU commissioner for peace and security, said Africa was putting its faith in the efforts of the SADC, noting that its envoys had been able to meet Mugabe, after talks in Washington.

“I think as we speak the parliament is still in force, is still working, the government is still working, and there is no sign of violence whatsoever in the country,” Chergui said.

Eldred Masunungure, a lecturer at the University of Zimbabwe, said the formation of a “pre-election coalition” could be a viable response to the crisis.

ALSO READ: Museveni is still young and alert to be overthrown like Mugabe, Andrew Mwenda

‘We need change’

Many Zimbabweans hoped the situation would pave the way to a more prosperous future.

“We needed change. Our situation has been pathetic,” said Keresenzia Moyo, 65.

“The economy has been in the doldrums for a very long time. We are happy with what has been done.”

State TV said a graduation ceremony at a university where Mugabe is the chancellor would proceed as planned on Friday morning, although it was unclear if the veteran leader would attend.

Harare’s residents have largely ignored the few soldiers still on the streets and have continued commuting, socialising and working.

The international community has been watching the crisis closely.

In Paris, the head of the African Union, Guinea’s President Alpha Conde, warned that the continent “will never accept the military coup d’etat” in Zimbabwe and called for a return to the “constitutional order”.

“(Problems) need to be resolved politically by the Zanu-PF party and not with an intervention by the army,” added Conde.

Meeting in Botswana, the SADC called for an emergency regional summit to help resolve the crisis, urging Zimbabwe to “settle the political challenges through peaceful means”.

Britain, Zimbabwe’s former colonial ruler, demanded that elections scheduled for 2018 go ahead.

Source: news24

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President Mugabe and Wife

There is a heavy presence of military and no sign of police on roads leading to the central business district of Harare on Wednesday‚ after the Zimbabwe National Army announced taking over the country just after midnight.

Students writing exams at the University of Zimbabwe were turned away and the campus cleared.

“We were meant to write at 9am and that didn’t happen. Those staying on campus were also told to leave‚” said a final year accounting student.

Some people were sceptical about going to work after the army in its statement said‚ “we urge you to remain calm and limit unnecessary movements”.

“It’s new to us and we can’t risk our lives‚” said a school teacher who didn’t go to work.

Illegal foreign currency traders on the streets are operating below the radar fearing unruly elements could take advantage of the situation.

The recently named Robert Mugabe International Airport is under military watch.

The United States embassy in Harare has issued a statement advising American tourists and expatriates in the country to keep a low profile.

“US Citizens in Zimbabwe are encouraged to shelter in place until further notice‚” read the statement.

The British foreign office also advised the same.

Other parts of the country are calm as events unravel in the capital.

In a statement‚ the military sent messages to everyone from the police and courts to political parties and churches.

“To the other Security Services: We urge you to cooperate for the good of our country. Let it be clear that we intend to address the human security threats in our country. Therefore any provocation will be met with an appropriate response‚” the military statement read.

“To both our people and the world beyond our borders: We wish to make it abundantly clear that this is not a military takeover of Government. What the Zimbabwe Defence Forces is doing is to pacify a degenerating political‚ social and economic situation in our country which if not addressed may result in violent conflict.”

source: www.timeslive.co.za

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We have learnt with sadness that Uganda’s Tennis ace Duncan Mugabe is stranded in the United States of America where he had gone for training.

Mugabe reportedly reached United States last month and started sending missiles to the Uganda Olympic Committee boss, Rogers Ddungu and the Uganda Lawn Tennis Association.

Information reaching us is that Mugabe is now stranded in America after swaging for long without cash. Some of his pals in US also jokingly told us that Mugabe is now as poor as a church mouse.

We hear Mugabe is not straggling to return back to Uganda and he is on bended knees. After walking away from Kinetic Management Group, Mugabe reportedly thought that he would be better off alone but he is now suffering.

Walakira Nyanzi

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Why Ugandans should not support Bishop Ssentamu to head the Anglican Church even if he is a Ugandan, as long as Bishop Ssentamu believes and even went to extent of removing his dog collar that President Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe has done more and worse crimes against his people and humanity than his family friend President Museven of Ugandanhe deserves on support from us.

I challenge Ssentamu to tell the world one thing that Mugabe has done that Museven and his bush war crooks have not done. If this man Ssentamu is not working for western powers and or has personal vendetta or hatred against Mugabe the person, let me tell Ssentamu that the latest thing Museven has done is forcing poor Ugandans who have continuously refused to vote for him in Kampala out of the city and destroying their businesses.

When Mugabe did it you talked because and after your pay masters in London condemned it the only small difference is that in Uganda it affected black people and more so your tribe-mates the Baganda. In Zimbabwe it also affected white people who are also relatives of your pay masters in UK and the western world- Shame on you Mr. Sentamu to pretend that you love Zimbabweans more than your fellow Ugandans. I think Museven is worse than Mugabe because his crimes moves beyond boarders and countries and many are graving because of him.

Recently the international court of Justice found Liberian ex-president Charles Taylor, for arming Sierra Leone’s rebels and pronounced him guilty of aiding and abetting of war crimes or crimes against humanity. But he was acquitted of criminal responsibility and “joint enterpise” the civil war claimed 120,000 lives. What does this require of you Ssentamu where Museven has accepted, confessed & bragged openly to arming, aiding and abetting more than two wars, one in Rwanda claiming over a million lives, another in DR. Congo claiming more than 7 millions and still counting not to talk about the more than 300,000 death in Northern Uganda. Where is fairness & justice in this world if there is any God any where then you should not be God’s messanger.

By Moureen Nakyanzi

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