Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe on Friday made his
first public appearance since military takeover at a university
graduation ceremony in Harare.
The 93-year-old
Mugabe, who is the chancellor of Zimbabwe Open University, arrived at
the ceremony dressed in a blue academic gown and hat, according to AFP.
Mugabe
has previously taken a hands-on role in the capping of graduates
himself and his attendance in person suggests that his house arrest since the military takeover on Wednesday had been relaxed.
Mugabe, the world's oldest head of state on Thursday refused to resign during
a meeting with Zimbabwe Defense Forces chief Constantino Chiwenga and
South African envoys, one day after the military seized control of the
government.
Leaders of Zimbabwe’s ruling ZANU-PF party are due to
meet on Friday to draft a resolution to dismiss President Robert Mugabe
at the weekend and lay the ground for his impeachment next week if he
refuses to stand down, a senior party source said.
In the meantime, talks with Mugabe continued, the military said in a statement reported by Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation.
Zimbabwe's
military is "currently engaging with the Commander-in-Chief President
Robert Mugabe on the way forward and will advise the nation of the
outcome as soon as possible," the statement said.
The Southern African nation has been on edge
since Monday when Constantino Chiwenga, Commander of the Zimbabwe
Defense Forces, said he was prepared to “step in” to end a purge of
supporters of sacked vice president Emmerson Mnangagwa.
(CGTN)
Comments
Post a Comment