Zimbabwe military taking sides?

[Pheroze]

Things seem to be unfolding rapidly in Zimbabwe.

Zimbabwe’s top general ready to step in amid purge of ruling party
https://beta.theglobeandmail.com/ne...n-amid-purge-of-ruling-party/article36955897/

Zimbabwe’s top general ready to step in amid purge of ruling party

Zimbabwe's top general warned on Monday that the military would not hesitate to step in to end purges against former liberation war fighters in President Robert Mugabe's ruling party after Emmerson Mnangagwa was stripped of his vice president's post.

General Constantino Chiwenga, commander of Zimbabwe Defence Forces and a political ally of Mnangagwa who was also expelled from the ruling ZANU-PF, said instability in the party was causing anxiety in Zimbabwe.

Chiwenga's statement, read out at a news conference packed with army top brass, comes at a time of a deepening rift within ZANU-PF over who will eventually lead the party after the 93-year-old Mugabe goes.


Mnangagwa's removal provides a boost for Grace Mugabe, the wife of the president, who is supported by the largely youthful G40 faction of ZANU-PF to succeed her husband.

Chiwenga said ZANU-PF had been hijacked by people who did not fight in the 1970s liberation war, a clear shot at G40 wing and Grace Mugabe who is a vocal critic of Mnangagwa.


"We must remind those behind the current treacherous shenanigans that, when it comes to matters of protecting our revolution, the military will not hesitate to step in," Chiwenga said in a statement read to reporters at the news conference.

"The current purging ... targeting members of the party with a liberation background must stop forthwith," he said.

Mugabe's 37 years in power has been anchored by support from the military, which has always said it will not back anyone for president who did not fight in the liberation war. But the ageing leader has been accusing the generals of taking sides in the succession race.

RARE MOVE

It is rare for the defence forces to publicly take sides in the affairs of ZANU-PF. When Joice Mujuru, a war veteran and Mugabe's deputy of 10 years, was sacked from the ruling party in 2014, the military remained quiet.

Political analysts however say the military stayed quiet then because the beneficiary of Mujuru's downfall was the 75-year-old Mnangagwa, a war veteran.

Grace, now poised to become a vice president, did not fight in the liberation war.

The party appears split over the succession with the G40 faction supporting Grace and another faction, that includes war veterans, rooting for the ousted Mnangagwa.

Chiwenga said ZANU-PF had since 2015 been rocked by infighting, which had afflicted the economy, causing serious cash shortages and soaring prices of basic commodities – rare criticism of those in government by the military.

Analysts said if Mugabe responded to Chiwenga's statement, he would be compelled to choose sides between war veterans and the young turks rallying behind his wife.

"He is in a corner. He has to declare his allegiance. If he condemns that statement, then he is saying therefore I am for the young turks against the war veterans," said Eldred Masunugure, a political science lecturer at the University of Zimbabwe.


"What we are witnessing is the military saying: 'We are willing to intervene if the red line is crossed'. It is a warning that the political class in ZANU-PF is about to cross that red line."

 

[MAdcox]

@tim416 are you psychic or what?

 

[tim416]

@tim416 are you psychic or what?

You are one of many that have now dubbed me a Prophet. LOL

 

[PHOENIX PHIL]

Seems a move in the direction of civil war.

 

[Wheels]

You are one of many that have now dubbed me a Prophet. LOL

Mr. inside information.

Now the real questions is, what dates do you have a group of medical professionals from Boston coming into Matetsi?

 

[Wheels]

During regime change it is hard to bet against the military.

Grace does pose an interesting option however.

 

[MAdcox]

I’m fairly ignorant on these two factions. Are either an improvement for Zimbabwe or more of the same just a new face?

 

[adriw]

Bob got rid of ministers in his cabinet. The military are probably going to exit him and his wife and establish a new government. There is no money, food or jobs and the people are desperate to rebuild.

My opinion is that this is a good thing and finally a time Zim can start to rebuild itself.

Hunting is unaffected and still running smoothly with Zim Parks.

 

[Hogpatrol]

https://www.google.com/amp/www.independent.co.uk/news/world/africa/zimbabwe-crisis-army-tanks-robert-mugabe-zanu-pf-harare-capital-military-politics-president-chiwenga-a8054141.html?amp#ampshare=http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/africa/zimbabwe-crisis-army-tanks-robert-mugabe-zanu-pf-harare-capital-military-politics-president-chiwenga-a8054141.html

Zimbabwe: Army tanks seen heading towards capital Harare amid rising tensions between Robert Mugabe's ZANU-PF and military

Armoured vehicles have been spotted heading towards Harare,
Zimbabwe‘s capital, a day after the army commander threatened to “step in” to calm political tensions over President Robert Mugabe‘s sacking of his deputy.

Eyewitnesses said military vehicles were also blocking major roads outside the city, with the ruling ZANU-PF party, led by Mr Mugabe, accusing the head of the army, General Constantino Chiwenga, of “treasonable conduct”.

Mr Mugabe – the only leader Zimbabwe has known in 37 years of independence – sparked a rift with the military by sacking his Vice President Emerson Mnangagwa, 75, last week. The long-serving veteran of Zimbabwe’s 1970s liberation wars had been viewed as a likely successor to the President.

However, his downfall appeared to pave the way for Mr Mugabe’s wife, Grace, to succeed her 93-year-old husband.

Mr Mnangagwa, who enjoyed the backing of the military, fled the country and said he and his family had been threatened. Over 100 senior officials allegedly supporting him have been listed for disciplinary measures by a faction associated with Ms Mugabe.

On Monday, General Chiwenga warned that the military would not hesitate to step in to end purges against former liberation war fighters, including Mr Mnangagwa, who is known as the “crocodile” because of his perceived shrewdness.

“We must remind those behind the current treacherous shenanigans that, when it comes to matters of protecting our revolution, the military will not hesitate to step in,” said General Chiwenga in a statement.

“The current purging ... targeting members of the party with a liberation background must stop forthwith.”

The commander of Zimbabwe Defence Forces, and political ally of Mr Mnangagwa, added that the ZANU-PF had been hijacked by people who did not fight in the 1970s conflict, which some commentators read as a criticism of Ms Mugabe: a vocal critic of the former Vice President.

In response to the General’s words, ZANU-PF issued a statement accusing the commander of “treasonable conduct”, saying his comments were “clearly calculated to disturb national peace and stability” and were “meant to incite insurrection”. It was not clear whether the commander still had his post.

State broadcaster Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation read out part of the ruling party statement late in the nightly news, which was led by a report on regional tourism, but refrained from publishing General Chiwenga’s statement.

The Herald newspaper, which had initially posted some of his comments on its official Twitter page, deleted the posts without explanation.

A number of people posted images of the military vehicles on the road to the capital on social media. Some called it “a coup”. The Independent was unable to verify where the military vehicles were travelling to and for what purpose.

Earlier in the day, ZANU Youth League accused the military chief of subverting the constitution.

“We will not fold out hands to allow a creature of the constitution to subvert the very constitution which establishes it,” said Kudzai Chipanga.

“Defending the revolution and our leader and President is an ideal we live for, and if need be it is a principle we are prepared to die for,” he added.

The rising political tension comes at a time when Zimbabwe is struggling to pay for imports due to a dollar crunch, which has also caused acute cash shortages.

While Mr Mugabe’s rule has been anchored by support from the military, the ageing leader does not tolerate public challenges.

In the past, Mr Mugabe has warned military commanders from interfering in ZANU-PF succession politics. “Politics shall always lead the gun, and not the gun politics. Otherwise it will be a coup,” he told supporters in July.

The country was shaken last year by the biggest anti-government protests in a decade, and Mugabe’s appointment of a minister for cybersecurity last month was criticised by activists as a crackdown on social media users.

However, it was thought that he would go into next year’s elections with military support, but war veterans broke ranks with him in 2016 and have vowed to form a broad front with the opposition to challenge his long rule.

 

[Wheels]

Stuff is starting to show on multiple networks in multiple countries. It does look like something is going on.

Thoughts and prayers to all of you in Zimbabwe now!

 

[wesheltonj]

Tanks are rolling to Harare. Looking that the video they are not tanks, but actually Armored Personal Carriers.

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/w...ary-politics-president-chiwenga-a8054141.html

 

[Nyati]

Sounds like Cuba, those who fought in the revolution want to stay in power

 

[sestoppelman]

May the days of Uncle Bob ruling Zim soon come to an end..

 

[sestoppelman]

Bob got rid of ministers in his cabinet. The military are probably going to exit him and his wife and establish a new government. There is no money, food or jobs and the people are desperate to rebuild.

My opinion is that this is a good thing and finally a time Zim can start to rebuild itself.

Hunting is unaffected and still running smoothly with Zim Parks.

Do you think this is imminent or just saber rattling?

 

[Hogpatrol]

Do you think this is imminent or just saber rattling?

Don't think so. Updates, radio station taken over by soldier & explosions heard in Harare. Uncle Bob's probably already at the airport.

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-41992351

Zimbabwe crisis: Army takes over - Mugabe 'detained'

The military has seized control in Zimbabwe but has said President Robert Mugabe, in power since 1980, is safe.

After seizing state TV, an army spokesman announced it was targeting people close to Mr Mugabe who had caused "social and economic suffering".

The move came after Mr Mugabe sacked his deputy, Emmerson Mnangagwa, in favour of his wife, Grace.

Heavy gun and artillery fire could be heard in northern parts of the capital Harare early on Wednesday.

A statement read out by a general on air denied it was a coup and said Mr Mugabe was safe but did not say where.

• Latest reaction and updates
• What we know so far
• The rise of Grace Mugabe

There was no immediate word from Mr Mugabe himself.

Mr Mugabe, 93, has dominated the impoverished country's political scene since independence from the UK.

The UK Foreign Office advised Britons "currently in Harare to remain safely at home or in their accommodation until the situation becomes clearer", while the US embassy in Harare
advised US citizens in Zimbabwe to "shelter in place"
until further notice.

How did the military justify its move?

Soldiers overran the headquarters of the ZBC broadcaster after armoured vehicles took up position on roads around Harare on Tuesday.

Maj Gen Sibusiso Moyo went on air to say the military wished to "assure the nation that his Excellency the president... and his family are safe and sound and their security is guaranteed".

"We are only targeting criminals around him who are committing crimes... that are causing social and economic suffering in the country," he said.

"As soon as we have accomplished our mission, we expect that the situation will return to normalcy."

Other key points of the statement included:

• Citizens should remain calm and limit unnecessary movement
• The military assures the Zimbabwean judiciary that its independence is guaranteed
• Security services should "co-operate for the good of our country" and any provocation would "be met with an appropriate response"
• All leave for the defence forces is cancelled and personnel should return to barracks immediately

It is not clear who is leading the military action. Army chief Gen Constantino Chiwenga had said the army was prepared to act to end purges within the ruling Zanu-PF party.

Who else has been detained?

A government source told Reuters news agency that Finance Minister Ignatius Chombo had been detained.

He is a leading member of a faction of Zanu-PF led by Mr Mugabe's wife Grace.

Is this a coup?

Alex Magaisa, former adviser to Zimbabwean opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai, told the BBC he did not believe the military's claim that they had not carried out a coup.

"They have decided not to call it a coup because they know that a coup does not sell, it will be condemned," he said.

"But as far as authority is concerned it seems very clear that President Mugabe is now just a president in name and authority is now residing in the military."

Zanu-PF had accused Gen Chiwenga of "treasonable conduct" after he issued his warning that the army might intervene.

What do we know of the fighting?

The firing was coming from northern suburbs where Mr Mugabe and a number of government officials live, the BBC's Shingai Nyoka reports from Harare.

A witness told AFP news agency it could be heard near Mr Mugabe's residence in the suburb of Borrowdale early on Wednesday,

Some staff at ZBC were manhandled when the soldiers moved in, sources told Reuters. Workers were told that they "should not worry", a source added, and that soldiers were only there to protect the site.

What was the political situation before the army acted?

Mr Mugabe sacked Mr Mnangagwa last week, amid a row over succession.

Mr Mnangagwa had previously been seen as an heir to the president, but First Lady Grace Mugabe had since become the clear front-runner.

The rivalry between Mrs Mugabe and Mr Mnangagwa has split Zanu-PF.

Last month, Mrs Mugabe had warned of a possible coup plot, saying allies of Mr Mnangagwa were threatening the lives of those who didn't support him.

Zanu-PF said Gen Chiwenga's comments were "calculated to disturb national peace... [and] incite insurrection".

The party said it would never succumb to military threats, and that it "reaffirms the primacy of politics over the gun".

Gen Chiwenga had said the "purging" within Zanu-PF was "clearly targeting members of the party with a liberation background", referring to the country's struggle for freedom from white minority rule.

Mr Mnangagwa is one such veteran of the 1970s war which ended white minority rule.


https://www.bloomberg.com/news/arti...d-in-north-of-zimbabwe-s-capital-witness-says

Blasts Heard in Zimbabwe Capital as Army Denies Takeover

• Reports of explosions come after army vehicles seen in Harare

• Army chief Chiwenga says actions “not a military takeover”
  Explosions were heard in the Zimbabwean capital, Harare, early Wednesday after soldiers and several armored vehicles were seen in the city amid a deepening split between the military and the government of 93-year-old President Robert Mugabe.
  
  News24 reported armed forces commander Constantine Chiwenga saying that the military had not taken over and that Mugabe and his family were safe. He added that armed forces were targeting the “criminals around them,” and said the situation will return to normal soon, Johannesburg-based News24 said on Twitter.
  
  “I was woken up at about 1.10 a.m. by a distant explosion that shook the bed -- two others since then,” Roger Stringer, who lives in Harare’s Mount Pleasant suburb, said by phone.
  

The reports of explosions came after Zimbabwe’s ruling party called Chiwenga’s criticism of Mugabe’s administration “treasonable” and intended to incite insurrection in the southern African nation. Reuters reported that soldiers have taken over the state-owned Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corp. The U.S. embassy said in a Twitter post that it would have a minimal staff Wednesday “due to ongoing uncertainty in Zimbabwe.”


Chiwenga made his comments on Monday, a week after Mugabe fired his ally, Emmerson Mnangagwa, 75, as vice president and expelled him from the ruling party. He said the military wouldn’t permit “hijacking of the revolution.”

That declaration was “clearly calculated to disturb national peace and stability,” Information Minister Simon Khaya Moyo, who’s also the secretary for information for the ruling Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front, said Tuesday in a statement.

Mnangagwa’s ouster marked a dramatic shift in politics in Zimbabwe, where he had been a pillar of a military and security apparatus that helped Mugabe emerge as the nation’s leader after independence from the U.K. in 1980. He was Zimbabwe’s first national security minister.

Mugabe has broken with most of his allies who fought in the liberation war against the white-minority regime of Rhodesia, leaving the so-called Generation-40 faction of younger members of the ruling party championed by his wife, Grace Mugabe, 52, in the ascendancy.

Mnangagwa’s firing came amid growing tensions before elections next year when it may face a seven-party opposition coalition that’s capitalizing on public anger over cash shortages, crumbling infrastructure and a collapse in government services. The economy has halved in size since 2000.

 

[Wheels]

Do you think this is imminent or just saber rattling?

No public statements from Bob or Grace that I have found. A few comments from people supporting them, but nothing from them.

Reports of military taking over state broadcaster.

Not sure what is going to happen but it doesn't look like getting rid of Mnangagwa was a smart move at this moment. Grace may have gotten Bob to push a little to hard for her promotion from secretary to mistress to first lady to.......


If you want to know the details, just read @tim416 book!

 

[Hogpatrol]

I can't wrap my head around 500 BILLION percent inflation they had a few years back. Mind boggling. I read where one could only take twenty five cents U.S. out of the ATMs.

 

[CAustin]

I hope the people of that country come out the better for whatever happens.

 

[tim416]

No public statements from Bob or Grace that I have found. A few comments from people supporting them, but nothing from them.

Reports of military taking over state broadcaster.

Not sure what is going to happen but it doesn't look like getting rid of Mnangagwa was a smart move at this moment. Grace may have gotten Bob to push a little to hard for her promotion from secretary to mistress to first lady to.......


If you want to know the details, just read @tim416 book!

I think the events are up to chapter 12, You guys are going love the following chapters.

 

[sestoppelman]

Reading the linked stories above sounds like more just denials than anything else. I certainly don't see anything there that confirms anything.