It appears that a coup is underway in Zimbabwe with reports of the military taking President Robert Mugabe into custody:
Breaking News: Zimbabwe's military said it had taken custody of President Robert Mugabe in what appeared to be a coup https://t.co/PtsRtBzFYN
— The New York Times (@nytimes) November 15, 2017
Game over, Mugabe?
Alright read it right. It seems army is moving in to end the travesty of a Gov in Zimbabwe. https://t.co/EUM7WJD0Bz
— K. C. Singh (@ambkcsingh) November 15, 2017
It looks like the military acted to prevent Mugabe’s wife from taking control. From the New York Times:
[The commander of the Zimbabwe Defense Forces, Gen. Constantine] Chiwenga was considered close to Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa, whom Mr. Mugabe summarily expelled from the government and the governing ZANU-PF party last week. The move was widely seen as clearing the path for Mr. Mugabe’s wife, Grace, 52, who had been amassing growing political power in the past two years as her aging husband’s health declined visibly.
Flashback: Mugabe ate a baby elephant for his 91st birthday.
The U.S. is monitoring the situation:
Due to ongoing uncertainty in Zimbabwe, the U.S. Embassy in Harare will be minimally staffed and closed to the public on November 15. Embassy personnel will continue to monitor the situation closely. @StateDept
— U.S. Embassy Harare (@usembassyharare) November 15, 2017
And the Brits are telling their citizens to stay indoors:
"Stay at home, stay in your hotel room & follow @FCOtravel advice"@UKinZimbabwe's Simon Thomas gives latest advice for those in #Zimbabwe pic.twitter.com/G8osItW0TI
— Foreign Office ?? (@foreignoffice) November 15, 2017
According to South African President Jacob Zuma, Mugabe is under house arrest:
South Africa president Jacob Zuma says #Zimbabwe's Robert Mugabe is under house arrest but fine; says no to unconstitutional power transfer. pic.twitter.com/CLAE6MT9nu
— Trevor Ombija (@TrevorOmbija) November 15, 2017
The military says it’s not a coup, however:
#Zimbabwe latest:
– Military takes control, denies coup
– Mugabe is “safe and sound” – army on state TV
– Embassies tell citizens to stay indoors
– Armoured vehicles patrol HarareWhat we know so far: https://t.co/v4uRYMqRlN
Live updates: https://t.co/idZPksEa91 pic.twitter.com/AjbuJEO5G6— BBC News (World) (@BBCWorld) November 15, 2017
It sure looks like a coup:
#Zimbabwe Military now in charge, say they are targeting criminals around Mugabe but Mugabe and family are safe. pic.twitter.com/bbuXxRkUB5
— Dewa Mavhinga (@dewamavhinga) November 15, 2017
It’s kind of the coup playbook:
Every coup I covered in Africa in the 7 yrs I was there started with soldiers seizing state TV. https://t.co/YetvXnRDaP
— Rukmini Callimachi (@rcallimachi) November 15, 2017
The military is currently “targeting criminals” with ties to Mugabe:
VIDEO: #Zimbabwe military: ‘We are targeting criminals around #Mugabe’
More here: https://t.co/1nUi35fNQN pic.twitter.com/fmCh7HFPGn— Al Arabiya English (@AlArabiya_Eng) November 15, 2017
They’re even changing the signs already:
Zimbabwe begins to remove traces of Robert Mugabe following military couphttps://t.co/9lzZekzi98
— Irish Daily Mirror (@IrishMirror) November 15, 2017
According to reports, Mugabe’s wife may have fled the country:
Sky Sources: Grace Mugabe the wife of the Zimbabwe president is believed to have left the country for Namibia
— Sky News Breaking (@SkyNewsBreak) November 15, 2017
We’ll keep you posted.
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Related:
REALLY!? Tariq Nasheed has a theory why WHO removed Mugabe as 'goodwill ambassador' https://t.co/GTvViv1jGy
— Twitchy Team (@TwitchyTeam) October 24, 2017
Do #CecilTheLion fans asking Mugabe for justice know he ate a baby elephant for his 91st birthday? http://t.co/FzjmXEmMox
— Twitchy Team (@TwitchyTeam) July 29, 2015
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