- US, UK, China watching Zimbabwean military closely
The military which usurped power in Zimbabwe on Monday have confined President Robert Mugabe, who has been in power since 1980, to his residence, insisting that the embattled President is safe. The Zimbabwean military have insisted that there was no coup in the country, however, armoured tanks were rolled out within the surrounding of the President.
Taking control of the state TV, an army spokesman announced the military were not taking over power but targeting people close to Mugabe. A statement by a general denied it was a coup.
Meanwhile, South African President, Jacob Zuma, had said that he had spoken to Mugabe who indicated that he “was confined to his home but said that he was fine.” Zuma also called for calm in Zimbabwe. Zuma had said he hope events in Zimbabwe would not lead to “unconstitutional changes of government”.
Messages appeared on a Twitter account purportedly run by the ruling Zanu-PF party, saying that Mugabe had been detained.
The dismissal of Emmerson Mnangagwa, last week, who subsequently went into exile, left Mugabe’s wife Grace as the president’s likely successor.
Heavy gun and artillery fire could be heard in northern parts of the capital, Harare, early on Wednesday.
Mugabe, 93, has dominated Zimbabwe’s politics since independence from the Britain.
The UK Foreign Office advised Britons “currently in Harare to remain safely at home or in their accommodation until the situation becomes clearer”, while the US embassy in Harare advised US citizens in Zimbabwe to “shelter in place” until further notice.
China, Zimbabwe’s biggest trading partner, says it is closely watching the situation and hopes that the relevant parties can properly handle their internal affairs.
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