Following news reports showing military tanks rolling into Harare, Zimbabwe’s capital, home to Robert Mugabe, the 93 year old President, they’ve been conflicting stories as to whether a coup has taken place or not.
WATCH:
BREAKING: Military tanks seen heading towards Zimbabwe’s capital Hararehttps://t.co/7LlPnjoJZS pic.twitter.com/eZUSOBFatm
— BizAfricaDaily (@BizAfricaDaily) November 14, 2017
#Zimbabwe , #gracemugabe , #Mugabe , #coup. Inside #Zimbabwe, reliable sources pic.twitter.com/f0xUQG0L0m
— AgriFarm Morodi (@Maths_Hskraal) November 15, 2017
The coup (that is not a coup)is coming on the heels of Mugabe’s decision to sack his “powerful” Vice President, who was popular within the army and who it was hoped will take over the reins after Mugabe. It fueled rumours that Grace Mugabe was being set up to take over from her husband.
The military has since announced that there’s been no coup, that it’s simply removing “criminals” around Mugabe who were causing “social and economic turmoil”, yet their actions tell a different story:
- Taking custody of Robert Mugabe
- Seizing control of the state-owned TV station, ZBC
- Checkpoints around key locations in the capital
- Securing Robert Mugabe International airport
So is there a coup in Zimbabwe? Twitter weighs in:
Coup or no coup?
Zimbabwe Army: We have placed Mugabe on house arrest, seized control of national TV, blocked access to Agencies, etc.
Still Zimbabwe Army: This is not a coup or take over. pic.twitter.com/jpUoxynYZS
— Chidi Okereke (@Chydee) November 15, 2017
Morning #Zimbabwe military; if it looks like a coup, walks like a coup and quacks like a coup, then it's a coup. pic.twitter.com/NzAbOxdovy
— Charles Onyango-Obbo (@cobbo3) November 15, 2017
#Zimbabwe army just broadcast that Mugabe & his family are "safe and sound and their security is guaranteed." Sounds like a #coup to me. (Video via @drDendere) pic.twitter.com/BTy8Wx5Bc3
— kim yi dionne (@dadakim) November 15, 2017
Looks like a coup, sounds like a coup, smells like a coup its probably a coup but this one went to a private school.#Zimbabwe #Coup #army
— ASHLEY BLACK (@AshleyBlackDj) November 15, 2017
If it smells like a #coup, walks like a coup and talks like a coup… Is it finally a coup? In #Zimbabwe you never know. But it seems something is really happening after all those years. Sacking #Mnangagwa might have been the final nail for #Mugabe.
— Andreas Wenzel (@awenzel74) November 15, 2017
Contrary to international reports, the gallant Zimbabwean Army has not staged a COUP. There is n COUP in Zimbabwe. Neither is there crisis.
The army is simply effecting a National Democratic Project and it's doing so with peaceful aplomb.
— ZANU PF YOUTH LEAGUE (@YLZANUPF1) November 15, 2017
When is a coup not a #coup? When its really just someone bringing a few tanks to an internal #political #party (@zanu_pf) dispute. #Zimbabwe #Zimbabwecoup #Zim #Africa
— aoife hegarty (@aoifehegarty) November 15, 2017
I’m not sure why it’s so hard for the #Zimbabwe army to have a sucesseful #coup against Robert Mogwai. All they have to do is pour water on him or feed him after midnight.
— Ed Haberman ? (@edhaberman) November 14, 2017
Most definitely a coup
Some thoughts: (1) This is all about ZANU. This is a fight for control of the party (and hence the state). Which makes it a special kind of coup, but still a coup in every sense that counts.#ZImbabwe #coup
— Dr Sara Rich Dorman (@afr_pol) November 15, 2017
(6) in that context, the military's incursion into politics sets a very worrying precedent. They are trying to dress it up as maintaining Mugabe, but that appearance/promise of continuity is compromised (and not that re-assuring).#Zimbabwe #coup
— Dr Sara Rich Dorman (@afr_pol) November 15, 2017
Open the floodgates
https://twitter.com/FumAde/status/930680068220866562
Where else in Africa could a Zimbabwe happen? Sudan, South Africa, Malawi, DRC, South Sudan, Togo, Uganda, Cameroon, CAR, Malawi, Chad, Rwanda — the list is too long for one tweet.
— Prof Makau Mutua (@makaumutua) November 15, 2017
It’s all her fault
Zimbabwe's Lady MacGrace failed to cultivate army as an ally, and instead axed army's favourite politicians. Amateurish mistake, given the army installed Mugabe after 2002 stolen election and has buttressed him since. Military now rounding up her supporters. pic.twitter.com/0pkjRsghwk
— James Hall (@hallaboutafrica) November 15, 2017
I am receiving unconfirmed reports of arrests of cabinet ministers and prominent people in Zimbabwe. I will share when names are confirmed. Remember the army said they are “targeting thieves around” President Mugabe #Zimbabwe
— Trevor Ncube (@TrevorNcube) November 15, 2017
Just desserts
Someone had to do something, the army should make sure that there is no loss of life however anyone seeking to undermine this transition should be dealt with decisively. Finally free and stable Zimbabwe is coming in our life time.✊?✊?✊?
— Julius Sello Malema (@Julius_S_Malema) November 15, 2017
#Zimbabwe
Robert Mugabe should be imprisoned for 20+ years and he should not attempt to die before he finishes his sentence
God Give him a long life.. Amen!!!— Trouble Some™ (@johncigi) November 15, 2017
I was alive when Robert Mugabe left Zimbabwe before Arsene Wenger left Arsenal.
— London's Red Bitches (@LondonsRedFb) November 15, 2017
Who would have thought it?
Reformed social media monitoring spirit
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