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Zimbabwe army takes control of Harare but denies coup against Mugabe – live Zimbabwe army takes control of Harare but denies coup against Mugabe – live
(35 minutes later)
Robert Mugabe and his family remain in military detention in Zimbabwe 12 hours after the military declared on national television that it had temporarily taken control of the country to “target criminals” around the head of state.
The move by the armed forces appears to have resolved a bitter battle to succeed the 93-year-old president, which had pitted his former vice-president, Emmerson Mnangagwa, against his wife, 52-year-old Grace Mugabe.
Mnangagwa was reported to have returned to Zimbabwe on Wednesday morning from South Africa, where he fled after being stripped of his office by Mugabe last week in an apparent attempt to clear Grace’s path to power.
The military takeover comes two days after the army chief – flanked by other senior officers – warned that he was prepared to “step in” to end turmoil in the ruling Zanu-PF party.
It is likely to signal the departure from power of the world’s oldest leader within days, weeks or at most months.
Britain must support Zimbabwe in changing from the “nasty dictatorship” of Robert Mugabe to a democracy, if that is what its people want, a former Africa minister has told Press Association.
James Duddridge said the Zimbabwean president should be given a “soft landing” outside the country to allow a “less bloody” transition. But he stressed that any interim government must only be in place for a relatively brief period.
The Conservative MP, who was responsible for Zimbabwe at the Foreign Office between 2014 and 2016, said he would try to press Theresa May on the issue at prime minister’s questions today. But he said it would be inappropriate for the UK to support a coup.
I intend to try to catch the Speaker’s eye and raise a question at prime minister’s questions to ask what economic and physical support we can give, because the civil institutions of Zimbabwe have progressively over the past 40 years been ripped apart.
And I would hope that the UK has a plan to deal with this type of scenario to flood in extra political support, diplomatic support, but also crucially economic support to allow that country to prosper.
The British government should support the Zimbabwean people to bring the whole thing to a conclusion and chart a way forward.
It is for the Zimbabwean people to chart a way forward, not her majesty’s government. But I think they are doing that, they will do that, and we will support them coming out of what has been a rather nasty dictatorship by one man to a slightly more functioning democracy, probably transitioning by a government of national unity.
The Guardian’s Africa correspondent, Jason Burke, reports that one of Zimbabwe’s best-known activists, a pastor called Evan Marawire, has spoken to followers on social media.
Marawire has been jailed and prosecuted since launching the #thisflag movement last year, which led to major protests. He neither directly condemned nor condoned the military takeover. But he said developments were “the culmination of the work that citizens have been doing”.
He called on Zimbabwean citizens to “remain calm and hopeful, alert but prayerful, to support and encourage each other and to stay away from violence and lawlessness, from rumours and lies”, as the nation has “entered unprecedented waters”.
A correspondent in the capital, Harare, said parts of the city a little out from the centre, such as the registration offices where people receive driving licenses and other forms of official ID, had the usual crowds. Roads seemed no quieter than on a usual Wednesday afternoon.
Some news outlets have been relying on tweets posted by what is purporting to be the official Zanu-PF account, @Zanu_pf.Some news outlets have been relying on tweets posted by what is purporting to be the official Zanu-PF account, @Zanu_pf.
BBC News quoted the account on its website and, on Radio 4’s flagship news programme Today, Nick Robinson referred to it as the “Zanu-PF official Twitter account” as he quoted a series of its messages - albeit noting it was unclear who was in control of the account. BBC News quoted the account on its website and on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, Nick Robinson referred to it as the “Zanu-PF official Twitter account” as he quoted a series of its messages, albeit having noted that it was unclear who was in control of the account.
However, the account’s past activity has led many to wonder whether it is, indeed, official. However, the account’s past activity has led many to wonder whether it is official.
As we’ve said, it is not unusual for Zimbabwean government accounts not to be verified by Twitter and it is sometimes difficult to get a clear idea of what is - and what is not - a legitimate government outlet. But Zanu_pf’s informal delivery and apparent preoccupations with “hipsters” and sex suggest it is the latter. As said earlier in this live blog, it is not unusual for Zimbabwean government accounts not to be verified by Twitter and it is sometimes difficult to get a clear idea of what is and is not a legitimate government outlet. But Zanu_pf’s informal delivery and apparent preoccupations with “hipsters” and sex suggest it is the latter.
Indeed, the local title NewsDay reported in 2013 that it was a fake account and the identity of its owner was sought by genuine Zanu-PF officials. At around the same time, the respected South African title Daily Maverick called it fake. Moreover, in 2012, the Atlantic magazine updated one of its articles, in which it had cited the account, to say it now believed it not to be genuine. The local title NewsDay reported in 2013 that it was a fake account and the identity of its owner was sought by genuine Zanu-PF officials. At about the same time, the respected South African title Daily Maverick called it fake. In 2012, the Atlantic magazine updated one of its articles in which it had cited the account, to say it now believed the profile not to be genuine.
Our correspondent in Harare quoted an official, who asked not to be named because of his job, as saying people in Zimbabwe are “excited because they are ready for change”.Our correspondent in Harare quoted an official, who asked not to be named because of his job, as saying people in Zimbabwe are “excited because they are ready for change”.
“I don’t think [it] will get violent because they are doing this for the people, if they start shedding blood, [they] can’t do that any more. That is why they told people to stay away from [the] centre of town unless they have business, so troublemakers cannot stir things up,” he said.“I don’t think [it] will get violent because they are doing this for the people, if they start shedding blood, [they] can’t do that any more. That is why they told people to stay away from [the] centre of town unless they have business, so troublemakers cannot stir things up,” he said.
The South African president, Jacob Zuma, speaking on behalf of the Southern African Development Community, has expressed concern at the infolding situation in Zimbabwe, calling for it to be resolved amicably, Reuters reports.The South African president, Jacob Zuma, speaking on behalf of the Southern African Development Community, has expressed concern at the infolding situation in Zimbabwe, calling for it to be resolved amicably, Reuters reports.
Zuma urged calm and restraint and expressed hope that there will be no coup in Zimbabwe, which would be in conflict with the positions of SADC and the African Union. He said the former would monitor the situation and stood ready to help resolve it.Zuma urged calm and restraint and expressed hope that there will be no coup in Zimbabwe, which would be in conflict with the positions of SADC and the African Union. He said the former would monitor the situation and stood ready to help resolve it.
The regional context is important. It appears that Emmerson Mnangagwa, the vice-president Mugabe fired, entered South Africa last week and left today to return to Zimbabwe without impediment. This means Pretoria and the region in general are not unhappy with what is happening there.The regional context is important. It appears that Emmerson Mnangagwa, the vice-president Mugabe fired, entered South Africa last week and left today to return to Zimbabwe without impediment. This means Pretoria and the region in general are not unhappy with what is happening there.
Therefore, any transition that puts Mnangagwa in power will likely have the backing of neighbours, especially the biggest and richest ones.Therefore, any transition that puts Mnangagwa in power will likely have the backing of neighbours, especially the biggest and richest ones.
Tweets from the unverified @YLZANUPF1 Twitter account, which are believed to come from the Zanu-PF youth league, strongly suggest this wing of the ruling party – widely considered to be the only faction that may be likely to take to the streets to defend Grace Mugabe and her allies – is falling into line with the military’s actions. That means violence is unlikely and Grace Mugabe and her associates are in a lot of trouble, to put it mildly.Tweets from the unverified @YLZANUPF1 Twitter account, which are believed to come from the Zanu-PF youth league, strongly suggest this wing of the ruling party – widely considered to be the only faction that may be likely to take to the streets to defend Grace Mugabe and her allies – is falling into line with the military’s actions. That means violence is unlikely and Grace Mugabe and her associates are in a lot of trouble, to put it mildly.
It is not unusual for genuine Twitter accounts associated with the governance of Zimbabwe not to be verified by the social media site, though there are questions over who is in control of some of the accounts purporting to be such.It is not unusual for genuine Twitter accounts associated with the governance of Zimbabwe not to be verified by the social media site, though there are questions over who is in control of some of the accounts purporting to be such.
In another very important development, Emmerson Mnangagwa, the vice-president fired by Mugabe, is back in the country. He flew into Manyame airbase this morning. He’s always had a lot of support in the army and it’s very likely he’ll be taking over as the de facto head of government, with Mugabe, 93, as a figurehead.In another very important development, Emmerson Mnangagwa, the vice-president fired by Mugabe, is back in the country. He flew into Manyame airbase this morning. He’s always had a lot of support in the army and it’s very likely he’ll be taking over as the de facto head of government, with Mugabe, 93, as a figurehead.
A visit to China last week by the head of the Zimbabwean army, General Constantino Chiwenga, was entirely normal, Beijing has said as the military action in the southern African country unfolds.A visit to China last week by the head of the Zimbabwean army, General Constantino Chiwenga, was entirely normal, Beijing has said as the military action in the southern African country unfolds.
China is closely watching the situation in Zimbabwe and hopes that relevant parties can properly handle their internal affairs, its foreign ministry spokesman, Geng Shuang, told a daily news briefing.China is closely watching the situation in Zimbabwe and hopes that relevant parties can properly handle their internal affairs, its foreign ministry spokesman, Geng Shuang, told a daily news briefing.
Gen Chiwenga met the Chinese defence minister, Chang Wanquan, on Friday, where the latter expressed a willingness to promote relations with Zimbabwe.Gen Chiwenga met the Chinese defence minister, Chang Wanquan, on Friday, where the latter expressed a willingness to promote relations with Zimbabwe.
The Chinese defence ministry showed a picture of the two men, both wearing military uniform, shaking hands, and another one of officers from both countries sitting opposite each other holding a meeting at the People’s Liberation Army headquarters in Beijing, Reuters reported.The Chinese defence ministry showed a picture of the two men, both wearing military uniform, shaking hands, and another one of officers from both countries sitting opposite each other holding a meeting at the People’s Liberation Army headquarters in Beijing, Reuters reported.
Asked whether Chiwenga had briefed China on plans to seize power, Geng Shuang said:Asked whether Chiwenga had briefed China on plans to seize power, Geng Shuang said:
I can only tell you that his visit to China this time was a normal military exchange mutually agreed upon by China and Zimbabwe. As a country that is friendly with Zimbabwe, we are paying close attention to developments of the situation in Zimbabwe.I can only tell you that his visit to China this time was a normal military exchange mutually agreed upon by China and Zimbabwe. As a country that is friendly with Zimbabwe, we are paying close attention to developments of the situation in Zimbabwe.
Maintaining peaceful and stable development accords with the fundamental interests of Zimbabwe and regional countries, and is the common desire of the international community. We hope the relevant parties in Zimbabwe appropriately handle their internal matters.Maintaining peaceful and stable development accords with the fundamental interests of Zimbabwe and regional countries, and is the common desire of the international community. We hope the relevant parties in Zimbabwe appropriately handle their internal matters.
The Foreign and Commonwealth Office has updated its travel advice to British nationals this morning.The Foreign and Commonwealth Office has updated its travel advice to British nationals this morning.
Due to the uncertain political situation in Harare, including reports of unusual military activity, we recommend British nationals currently in Harare to remain safely at home or in their accommodation until the situation becomes clearer. Please continue to monitor our travel advice and embassy social media accounts for updates.Due to the uncertain political situation in Harare, including reports of unusual military activity, we recommend British nationals currently in Harare to remain safely at home or in their accommodation until the situation becomes clearer. Please continue to monitor our travel advice and embassy social media accounts for updates.
You should avoid political activity, or activities that could be considered political, including political discussions in public places and criticism of the president. You should avoid all demonstrations and rallies. The authorities have sometimes used force to suppress demonstrations.You should avoid political activity, or activities that could be considered political, including political discussions in public places and criticism of the president. You should avoid all demonstrations and rallies. The authorities have sometimes used force to suppress demonstrations.
The national police force has recalled all officers on leave, Associated Press reports. A senior police official, who insisted on anonymity because he was not authorised to speak to the press, said all officers have been ordered to return to their posts immediately.The national police force has recalled all officers on leave, Associated Press reports. A senior police official, who insisted on anonymity because he was not authorised to speak to the press, said all officers have been ordered to return to their posts immediately.
Only at the president’s office in central Harare is there an indication of dramatic change. A soldier is stationed at nearby junctions turning traffic away, a correspondent in Harare reports.Only at the president’s office in central Harare is there an indication of dramatic change. A soldier is stationed at nearby junctions turning traffic away, a correspondent in Harare reports.
“Although a little bit scary, I think this is good for us. It has been a long time, we are going through a lot of hardships,” a fruit and vegetable seller in downtown Harare tells the Guardian’s correspondent.“Although a little bit scary, I think this is good for us. It has been a long time, we are going through a lot of hardships,” a fruit and vegetable seller in downtown Harare tells the Guardian’s correspondent.
Samaz said he had worked his whole life in a job he did not want to stay in because there was nothing better for him. “My beard is grey and I am still in the street,” he says.Samaz said he had worked his whole life in a job he did not want to stay in because there was nothing better for him. “My beard is grey and I am still in the street,” he says.
He adds that there are many fewer people than usual in the streets of the capital. He was surprised by the morning’s news, which he found out when he headed into town in and was told about a “no-go area”.He adds that there are many fewer people than usual in the streets of the capital. He was surprised by the morning’s news, which he found out when he headed into town in and was told about a “no-go area”.