Zimbabwe coup LIVE: Robert Mugabe in 48 HOUR STANDOFF with army as he refuses to resign
ROBERT Mugabe has been held under house arrest for more than 36 hours after he refused to stand down as the hunt for his wife Grace continues following the military take-over of Zimbabwe.
By VICKIIE OLIPHANT
Express.co.uk
Thu, Nov 16, 2017
Robert Mugabe has been removed from power and his former vice president installed as an interim president
Zimbabwe’s military officials continue to deny reports of a coup
Harare is swarming with army soldiers, blocking roads and preventing access to government buildings
Ruling party ZANU PF says the so-called crisis is not a coup but a “bloodless transition”
Mugabe is safe but reportedly being held at home – it is not known where his wife Grace is
A number of arrests have been made, including Zanu-PF youth wing leader and Finance Minister Ignatius Chombo
Brits have been urged to remain indoors under Foreign Office advice as Theresa May said the situation remained fluid
Mugabe, 93, has ruled Zimbabwe for 37 years and is still seen by many Africans as a liberation hero.
He is insisting he remains Zimbabwe’s only legitimate ruler, an intelligence source told Reuters today.
“It’s a sort of stand-off, a stalemate,” a source said. “They are insisting the president must finish his term.”
Catholic priest Fidelis Mukonori is mediating talks between Mugabe and military officials, as the army seeks a “bloodless transition” to a new government.
The move comes after the Zimbabwe army seized power overnight with gunshots and explosions heard in the capital, after military bosses stormed in to the national broadcaster to take control of Zimbabwe in what has been described as a political coup.
Jane Morley, Zimbabwe Analyst at the Economist Intelligence Unit said: “The situation in Zimbabwe remains highly fluid following the military takeover on November 14th.
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