For a long time, Robert Mugabe’s power in Zimbabwe seemed untouchable. Now his army has unexpectedly placed him under house arrest in a cloak-and-dagger operation and disempowered his closest entourage. Our employees and partner organizations confirm that the situation in the country has remained calm so far.
Sascha Tankerville, Media and Information
Updated on 12.12.2017 (see below)
Robert Mugabe has been at the helm of Zimbabwe for 37 years. As a leader in the struggle for independence and the subsequent establishment of a free Zimbabwe, he has brought good times to his countrymen. In the last two decades, however, his government was increasingly characterized by economic decline, exploitation and political reprisals. Unexpectedly, the military put an end to his rule on Tuesday night. So far without violence. Without bloodshed, it took control of the important government offices, media and airports and arrested parts of the country’s leadership. Mugabe and his entourage have been under house arrest ever since.
Keeping employees safe
Of course we, terre des hommes schweiz, are concerned about the safety of our three employees, who together represent our organization on site. We are in regular contact with them and their feedback so far has been reassuring. They are doing well and are safe. The situation in Harare is calm, with only an unusually large military presence in the streets. However, until the situation eases, our people are staying at home for safety. We have received similar reports from our four partner organizations in Harare and Bulawayo (Zimbabwe’s second largest city).
Cautious optimism
It would appear that the situation in the country generally remains largely calm. So far, the military coup has mainly taken place in the capital Harare. According to media reports, cautious optimism seems to be prevailing among the population there. Any change is accepted as long as it ends the term of office of Mugabe, who has plundered the country with his family for years. The straw that broke the camel’s back was Mugabe’s dismissal last week of his long-serving Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa, who has excellent connections with the armed forces and the police. This was interpreted as confirmation that Robert Mugabe was establishing his wife Grace, known as “Gucci Grace” because of her penchant for luxury shopping, as his successor, which, according to the British newspaper The Guardian, was not accepted by the majority of the population.
Uncertain future
As Mugabe’s government has the greater support in the country, it remains to be seen whether the transfer of power will continue to take place without violent clashes. According to media reports, talks are currently taking place between the army leadership, Mugabe and his entourage and the country’s opposition. Mediation by neighboring countries such as South Africa will also be crucial. However, it is difficult to say at this stage which path Zimbabwe and its rulers will take in the coming days and to what extent the country can hope for long-needed reforms.
Updates:
21.11.2017 (Hafid Derbal – Program Coordinator Zimbabwe)
Robert Mugabe has resigned. What the most optimistic analysts would not have bet a Zimbabwean cent on two weeks ago has been a reality since the evening of November 21, 2017. There is jubilation among the population and in parliament, as too many have suffered under Mugabe’s regime over the last decade. However, there is no reason for euphoria, as only the leadership has changed, but not the power. It remains in the hands of the ruling party and it will still have to prove whether it can now introduce and implement the urgently needed reforms to restructure the economy and achieve greater freedoms.
12.12.2017 (Hafid Derbal)
The new President Emmerson Mnangagwa has named his new cabinet and it is confirmed that Zimbabwe has seen more of a change of leadership than a change of power in the last month. The faces of the new government remain largely those of the Mugabe regime. While the new president continues to enjoy widespread approval for his reform-oriented stance, his cabinet has been criticized for not being broad enough. Neither experts nor the opposition are allowed to help shape the government for the time being, although these forces could provide important impetus for an urgently needed reform agenda. Although the economy is expected to recover somewhat under the new leadership, democratic and government reforms are now a distant prospect for the time being. Last but not least, this has also increased the likelihood that the planned presidential elections will take place in 2018. However, it is doubtful whether these elections will be fair and free.
