My feed
Premium

Please
or
to access all these features

News

Coup in Zimbabwe - 'bloodless transition'

68 replies

AuntieStella · 15/11/2017 07:59

Though they say it's not a coup

www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-41992351

The army has taken control - in what it describes as a bloodless transition - and has also said that Mugabe is safe (though they decline to say where he is)

It's on BBC Breakfast, but not getting that much reporting soon.

Who is likely to be installed as successor?

OP posts:
TheAntiBoop · 15/11/2017 08:04

The deputy he sacked two weeks ago I would imagine

He pushed it too far in his wife's greedy grab for power.

PuffinsSitOnMuffins · 15/11/2017 08:05

So apparently his deputy and his wife were likely candidates to succeed him, his deputy had the support of the army and Mugabe sacked him on Monday. Army didn't like that... gu.com/p/7gqkh

RoseAndRose · 15/11/2017 08:05

An (unverified) ZANU-PF account has said that Emmerson Mnangagwa has been installed as president.

This is now lead story on BBC

(Harare is GMT+2)

Ifailed · 15/11/2017 08:06

it can only mean more misery for the vast majority of the poor and powerless Zimbabweans. It's bound to descend into shoot-outs between armed factions eager to get their hands on power.

TheAntiBoop · 15/11/2017 08:08

It's been very quiet on the news front. Dh heard about it from friends in Harare before his dad who lives elsewhere in zim had heard about it

When he sacked the Vice President it was a matter of time as dictators always need the army!!

PuffinsSitOnMuffins · 15/11/2017 08:10

He's been in power since 1980. Amazing he's gone but, well, fingers crossed this doesn't get really messy.

TheAntiBoop · 15/11/2017 08:10

In some respects it happening before his death may make the transition smoother with zanu pf cementing their control on the country beyond the Mugabe personality cult.

Iris65 · 15/11/2017 08:11

Getting lots of coverage now on R4.

PuffinsSitOnMuffins · 15/11/2017 08:13

Sorry, correction, just checked Wikipedia, he's been president since 1987, prime minister before that.

AuntieStella · 15/11/2017 08:16
OP posts:
RoseAndRose · 15/11/2017 09:06
Butterymuffin · 15/11/2017 09:08

It was top story on the 9am news.

chantico · 15/11/2017 09:36

Trying to avoid violence, the Army says, but arrest the criminals around Mugabe.

So could he get to stay on as a figurehead, if succession is secured away from Grace and her supporters?

But if he goes into total retirement, does that make HMQ the oldest head of state?

schoolgaterebel · 15/11/2017 09:45

This is definitely the end of his reign of terror, he will have no respect after this, he ruled his people with an iron fist, he will be seen as weak now.

Grace Mugabe is toxic, with stories of her violence and unprovoked attacks towards members of staff etc. being covered up for years, she truly is a mad woman.

I think this military coup (which is not a coup apparently) is the easiest way to get the Mugabes out of power. Whether the new regime will be any better, time will tell.

TheAntiBoop · 15/11/2017 09:48

I think they will keep Mugabe as a figurehead but grace and her cronies are toast

His son recently posted a picture of him pouring champagne over his 60k watch with the caption along the lines of 'I can do this because my dad runs a country'.

PerkingFaintly · 15/11/2017 10:31

Yes, I think Mugabe as figurehead while the rest of the government changes.

I'm desperately crossing everything. Scared it'll turn into a violent morass, but with a tiny glimmer of hope that this will allow a transition rather than the cliff-edge that was set to happen when Mugabe died.

TheAntiBoop · 15/11/2017 11:02

Agree perking

Fil has been predicting a coup for the last 9 months - the feeling against Grace has been bubbling a lot

fartyghost · 15/11/2017 21:00

I think plenty of people will be glad to see the back of him, he's a nasty piece of work and don't get me started on his wife. At 93 I doubt he's fit for much more than a figurehead anyway.

I feel for the poorer people in Zimbabwe, they are going to end up coming out of this very badly I believe.

MyOtherProfile · 15/11/2017 22:57

I always hoped he would be ousted and not just die in his sleep in peace and comfort.

fartyghost · 16/11/2017 07:24

Yes, I don't like to wish ill on people but there are some exceptions..I wouldn't be in the slightest bit bothered if he were to die in poverty rather than surrounded by expensive houses, cars and ridiculous luxury gained at the expense of people who don't have basic human rights.

VikingVolva · 16/11/2017 07:27

I think however that he'll want to maintain status as President, simply to continue as immune from prosecution. Perhaps some sort of President Emeritus status?

PerkingFaintly · 16/11/2017 09:07

Well this is why he hasn't gone before, so it's often speculated. He hasn't shown any appetite for ruling for years, just doesn't want to be prosecuted. Or lose the comfy lifestyle, obviously.

Dapplegrey · 16/11/2017 17:10

I wish he could be arrested for human rights offences.

VikingVolva · 17/11/2017 12:18

He is, apparently, asking for a few more days. But the War Veterans have said it is time to stand down, so I think there is no way he can continue now,

PerkingFaintly · 17/11/2017 19:46

www.theguardian.com/world/2017/nov/17/anti-mugabe-protest-planned-in-harare-as-president-clings-on
By late Friday afternoon, all 10 of the country’s provincial Zanu-PF branches had passed motions of no confidence in the president. These could lead to Mugabe being stripped of his office of president of the party by Sunday, one official told the Guardian.

Please create an account

To comment on this thread you need to create a Mumsnet account.