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Zimbabwe latest: Mugabe makes first public appearance | Zimbabwe latest: Mugabe makes first public appearance |
(35 minutes later) | |
Zimbabwe's President Robert Mugabe has made his first public appearance since the country's army took over on Wednesday. | Zimbabwe's President Robert Mugabe has made his first public appearance since the country's army took over on Wednesday. |
He attended a graduation ceremony in the capital, Harare. | He attended a graduation ceremony in the capital, Harare. |
Mr Mugabe had been under house arrest for days. The army made its move after a power struggle over his successor. | Mr Mugabe had been under house arrest for days. The army made its move after a power struggle over his successor. |
The military said on Friday it was "engaging" with Mr Mugabe and would advise the public on the outcome of talks "as soon as possible". | The military said on Friday it was "engaging" with Mr Mugabe and would advise the public on the outcome of talks "as soon as possible". |
Mr Mugabe was cheered by the crowd at the graduation ceremony after he spoke, a witness quoted by Reuters news agency says. | Mr Mugabe was cheered by the crowd at the graduation ceremony after he spoke, a witness quoted by Reuters news agency says. |
He joined the crowd in singing the national anthem and walking slowly up a red carpet. | He joined the crowd in singing the national anthem and walking slowly up a red carpet. |
Neither the 93-year-old president's wife, Grace Mugabe, nor Education Minister Jonathan Moyo - an ally of hers whose house was reportedly raided by the military - were present. | |
The army acted after Mr Mugabe sacked Vice-President Emmanuel Mnangagwa last week. Mr Mnangagwa was seen as a potential successor and his sacking paved the way for Mr Mugabe's wife Grace Mugabe - who is four decades younger than him - to take over the presidency instead. | |
Mr Mugabe's attendance at the graduation is an annual tradition but few expected to see him there, the BBC's Andrew Harding reports from Zimbabwe. | |
Further confusion | |
Analysis by Mary Harper, BBC World Service Africa editor | |
Mr Mugabe's appearance at the graduation ceremony made it look like business as usual but it's not. This has simply added to the confusion about his future. | |
The military has essentially been in control for three days and, with the help of South African envoys, has been in talks with Mr Mugabe. | |
This cunning and experienced leader has resisted the push to go immediately but he is facing unprecedented pressure to step down after nearly four decades in power. |