End of an era: Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe sacked by his own party

[Markhor]

Never thought I'd see this day. ZANU-PF have removed Robert Mugabe from the party leadership, whilst his wife Grace Mugabe is to be prosecuted and expelled from the party altogether.

Mugabe was the founder of the party and the founder of the modern day state of Zimbabwe, revered as a war hero who fought white minority rule. However his rule has been marked by gross incompetence, mismanagement of the economy, brutality and corruption.

He made a huge miscalculation by sacking his vice president Emmerson Mnangagwa a few weeks ago, a man with close ties to the security agencies. The army and ZANU-PF have rejected Robert Mugabe's attempts to install his wife as successor. Mnangagwa is now reinstated and set to succeed Mugabe. Being a war veteran carries a lot of authority in Zimbabwe politics, and Grace Mugabe was never going to win the respect of the military unlike Mnangagwa who was by Robert Mugabe's side during the Rhodesian Bush War.

However the man who has initiated this palace coup is the same man who for decades was part and parcel of Mugabe's regime in Emmerson Mnangagwa. In the 1980s, around thousands in the Matabeleland region were killed by ZANU's North Korean-trained Fifth Brigade in an attempt by Mugabe's ZANU to crush his political rivals ZAPU led by Joshua Nkomo. Mnangagwa was the Minister of State Security during this time, so this is not a saviour waiting in the wings.

According to intelligence documents leaked to Reuters, he plans to reconcile with the white farmers, enter a coalition arrangement with the opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai, and had been contacting Western embassies, including the British, for some time.

Anyway, that's the end of one political dynasty

 

[Syed1]

So even Zimbabwe's ruling party has more cajones than all of Noon league combined.

 

[Bewal Express]

Mugabe was horrendous but to be brutally honest, its what i have come to expect from African leaders/ elite. The number of decent African leaders can be named on one hand. The most tragic thing from the whole thing is that the next guy will be on par or worst
The corrupt leadership and looting by a uncaring, inhumane elite is not just an African problem as our experience of the Sharifs and Zardis shows.

 

[Markhor]

Mugabe was horrendous but to be brutally honest, its what i have come to expect from African leaders/ elite. The number of decent African leaders can be named on one hand. The most tragic thing from the whole thing is that the next guy will be on par or worst
The corrupt leadership and looting by a uncaring, inhumane elite is not just an African problem as our experience of the Sharifs and Zardis shows.

Its galling that ZANU-PF, hardly a beacon of democratic values, seem to have more guts than PML-N and PPP combined when it comes to standing up to their ruling dynasties.

 

[big_gamer007]

Isn't Zimbabwe the same country which had so high inflation that they had 100 trillion more and one watermelon cost 1 billion or something

 

[Varun]

Isn't Zimbabwe the same country which had so high inflation that they had 100 trillion more and one watermelon cost 1 billion or something

Was surprised to know that they also use the INR over there. They were complaining about not being able to exchange their ₹500 and ₹1000 notes in addition to their other problems, poor folks.

 

[shaz619]

 

[Pakistanian]

Gonna miss Mugabe. RIP.

 

[Varun]

Gonna miss Mugabe. RIP.

He hasn't died. He is seemingly immortal.

 

[Markhor]

He hasn't died. He is seemingly immortal.

You're not kidding. He was meant to give his resignation speech now but he's trolled the world with no mention of resigning.

Infact he planning to preside over the party conference in Dec, the party that's just sacked him as leader !

 

[Bewal Express]

You're not kidding. He was meant to give his resignation speech now but he's trolled the world with no mention of resigning.

Infact he planning to preside over the party conference in Dec, the party that's just sacked him as leader !

Every African leader that brought independence bar Mandela feels that they are owed by their people and hence act like Monarchs. Do they never feel the pain of their own people?

 

[KingKhanWC]

You're not kidding. He was meant to give his resignation speech now but he's trolled the world with no mention of resigning.

Infact he planning to preside over the party conference in Dec, the party that's just sacked him as leader !

Haha I watched some of it just now.

So has he been sacked or not?

 

[Markhor]

Haha I watched some of it just now.

So has he been sacked or not?

Its like a manager getting sacked by a football club but turning up to training the next day

It looks like Parliament are just going to have to impeach him - ZANU-PF are going to vote against him.

 

[Mamoon]

A man who can propose to Obama when the U.S. legalized gay marriage, earned a degree in Law while in jail, and has claimed to have been resurrected multiple times and is thus superior to Jesus is not going to give up so easily.

 

[James]

He needs to be careful or the Army will bump him off IMO and make it look like natural causes/an accident/suicide. Although I am not sure he really cares either way. A dodgy death would lead to endless further controversy and cement his legacy.

 

[Varun]

He needs to be careful or the Army will bump him off IMO and make it look like natural causes/an accident/suicide. Although I am not sure he really cares either way. A dodgy death would lead to endless further controversy and cement his legacy.

That's assuming that he can die in the first place.

 

[big_gamer007]

Was surprised to know that they also use the INR over there. They were complaining about not being able to exchange their ₹500 and ₹1000 notes in addition to their other problems, poor folks.

Wow that must have sucked for them.. Africa has a decent sized Indian population so maybe that's why they used INR like in some countries you can use USD.

 

[Varun]

Wow that must have sucked for them.. Africa has a decent sized Indian population so maybe that's why they used INR like in some countries you can use USD.

Yeah, and by many accounts they live like first class citizens over there. The only friction came about in Uganda when Idi Amin deported a lot of them, but others like Nigerians are constantly brooding about being mistreated in India while also being mistreated by Indians in Nigeria. The Guptas in South Africa are also well known, along with the communities in North and East Africa.

It's a topic that I'm yet to look into properly though.

 

[shaz619]

Only death can prevent the ambitions of Mugabe and even that's a big ask

 

[Markhor]

37 years of Robert Mugabe rule is finally over. He sent his resignation to the Speaker, this was the moment it was announced:

<blockquote class="twitter-video" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">The moment the speaker of Zimbabwe's parliament read out Robert Mugabe's letter of resignation <a href="https://t.co/ookRf1pBzM">https://t.co/ookRf1pBzM</a> <a href="https://t.co/eT5kRpNpnM">pic.twitter.com/eT5kRpNpnM</a></p>— BBC Breaking News (@BBCBreaking) <a href="https://twitter.com/BBCBreaking/status/933004487035297792?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 21, 2017</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[Bewal Express]

The thieving old git has destroyed his country, destroyed countless lives, and took hope from a young country. Why are these people so greedy, what is better than to lead your country to prosperity?

 

[PennOne]

I would like to take this opportunity to give condolences to Khalil. Mugabe defender has lost his primary income source

 

[Robert]

Now I hope Zimbabwe can move forward with free and fair elections and a return to prosperity.

Oh, and Andy Flower can go home too!

 

[Syed1]

Now I hope Zimbabwe can move forward with free and fair elections and a return to prosperity.

Oh, and Andy Flower can go home too!

It wont happen. There is a reason why third world countries are the way they are.

 

[James]

Now I hope Zimbabwe can move forward with free and fair elections and a return to prosperity.

Oh, and Andy Flower can go home too!

I think the end of Mugabe is good news without a doubt and great credit is due to the nation of Zimbabwe for achieving this bloodlessly.

However the sad truth is that the next government might be even worse.

 

[CricketCartoons]

The only positive Mugabe achieved was to overthrow the minority white ruling the Zimbabweans.

 

[Arham_PakFan]

Zimbabwe's ruling Zanu-PF party has won the majority of seats in parliament, the electoral commission has announced.

President Emmerson Mnangagwa's party is on course for a big majority after picking up 109 seats against 41 for the opposition Movement for Democratic Change. Another 58 seats are yet to be declared.

Zanu-PF would need an additional 30 seats to have a two-thirds majority, which would allow it to change the constitution at will.

The opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) yesterday accused the electoral commission of delaying results to favour the ruling party, although leader Nelson Chamisa's maintained his party was "winning resoundingly".

This week's election, Zimbabwe's first without Robert Mugabe on the ballot for nearly four decades, was generally peaceful, despite fears of violence.

However, events took an uneasy turn last night when the MDC alleged that results were not posted outside the one-fifth of polling stations mandated by law.

Dozens of opposition supporters even gathered at their headquarters in the capital, Harare, celebrating in the belief that they had won the presidential election based on results they said they collected from agents in the field. As they danced to music blasting from speakers set up on a truck, police with water cannon circulated in the area.

Current leader Emmerson Mnangagwa, a former deputy president who fell out with Robert Mugabe and then took over from him, has said his showing in the presidential polls was "extremely positive" while urging people to wait for official results.

Several water cannon trucks patrolled outside the central Harare headquarters of the MDC on Tuesday night as its red-shirted supporters danced in the streets.

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/...on-mnangagwa-mdc-nelson-chamisa-a8472206.html

 

[giri26]

3 killed in Zimbabwe protests as parties point fingers following hard-fought elections

Harare, Zimbabwe (CNN)Three people were killed in clashes between opposition protesters and security forces in Harare, Zimbabwe's capital, on Wednesday, Senior Assistant Commissioner of Police Charity Charamba said on state-run television.

No further details were immediately available.

The country's ruling Zanu-PF party won a sweeping majority in parliament, electoral officials said, amid growing anger among opposition supporters over the outcome of the country's first election since the toppling of veteran leader Robert Mugabe.

Clashes were reported in the capital, Harare, and international monitors called on the electoral commission to publish the results of the closely fought presidential race.

Officials have so far declared the results of only the parliamentary vote, which gave Zanu-PF two-thirds of the seats.

Movement for Democratic Change leader Nelson Chamisa mounted a strong challenge to President Emmerson Mnangagwa, who took power last year after a show of strength by the military forced Mugabe out. The results of the parliamentary elections have stoked fear among opposition supporters that the vote had been rigged.

In Harare, automatic gun fire was heard as police and the army attempted to disperse protesters. Tear gas and a water cannon were also used as protesters fled the scene.

A number of protesters appeared to be beaten up by security forces as they demonstrated close to the hotel hosting international election monitors.

Burning tires could be seen on the roadside while armored vehicles patrolled the streets and a police helicopter flew above the protesters.

Mnangagwa has blamed MDC for the unrest, saying party leaders had abetted in "acts of political violence," while Chamisa's spokesman maintains that protesters were not violent and the deployment of soldiers was unnecessary.

"We are deeply hurt and feel vulnerable in our country," Nkululeko Sibanda said. "Are we at war? Are civilians the enemy of the state?"

Chamisa hinted he could reject the official result if it doesn't go his way.
"THANK YOU ZIMBABWE," he tweeted Wednesday. "I'm humbled by the support you have given to me as a Presidential Candidate. We have won the popular vote. You voted for total Change in this past election! We have won this one together. No amount of results manipulation will alter your WILL #Godisinit."

As the protests gathered momentum, Mnangagwa called for calm on Twitter: "At this crucial time, I call on everyone to desist from provocative declarations and statements. We must all demonstrate patience and maturity, and act in a way that puts our people and their safety first. Now is the time for responsibility and above all, peace."

Zanu-PF hailed the parliamentary reusults.

"This is the people's endorsement of what President Emmerson Mnangagwa did to the people of Zimbabwe when he came to power," party spokesman Nick Mangwana told CNN

Elmar Brok, chief observer of the European Union Election Observation Mission Zimbabwe, urged the country's electoral board to announce the results as soon as possible.

"The longer it lasts that the results of the Presidential election are unknown, the more lack of credibility arises in Zimbabwe, within the parties and within the population," he said.

The US Embassy in Harare and the UN issued statements saying they were concerned about the events unfolding in the capital.
"We urge leaders of all parties to call for calm from members of their respective parties. We further urge the Defense Forces of Zimbabwe to use restraint in dispersing protestors," the embassy statement said.

"Zimbabwe has an historic opportunity to move the country towards a brighter future for all its citizens. Violence cannot be a part of that process."

Added a statement from UN Secretary-General António Guterres's office: "We remind the incumbents and political parties of the commitments they made in the Peace Pledge and the Code of Conduct to ensure a peaceful electoral process. We call on the political leaders and the population as a whole to exercise restraint and reject any form of violence."

Mnangagwa, 75, who took power after helping orchestrate the de facto coup against Mugabe in November, said he was receiving "extremely positive" information on the election. Meanwhile, Chamisa, 40, said his party was poised for victory.

The chair of the electoral commission, Justice Priscilla Chigumba, told reporters in Harare on Tuesday that the commission was confident there was no cheating or rigging in the largely peaceful vote. Observers were present to monitor the election for the first time in years, including 20 teams from the US Embassy in Harare.

A report published by African Union observers Wednesday said, "By and large, the process was peaceful and well-administered."

But observers from the European Union disagreed, claiming that "a truly level playing field was not achieved" in the run-up to the election.

EU observers pointed to the "misuse of state resources, instances of coercion and intimidation, partisan behavior by traditional leaders and overt bias in state media, all in favor of the ruling party."

The commission has until August 4 to release the final results. If no candidate secures more than 50% of the vote, a runoff will be held September 8.

Known as "the crocodile" for his political cunning and longevity, Mnangagwa has attempted to rebrand Zanu-PF, pledging to heal divisions and rebuild the country. He is still widely considered to be Mugabe's man because he worked so closely with him for more than 40 years, first as his special assistant during the 1977 liberation war, and later as security minister and justice minister.

Chamisa -- the country's youngest-ever presidential candidate, who took over the MDC leadership following the death of founder Morgan Tsvangirai in February -- tweeted Tuesday that his party had done "exceedingly well."

During the campaign, Chamisa aimed to appeal to younger voters with promises of electoral reform, tax cuts and jobs.
While his message may strike a chord, he does not have the same level of backing from the security forces or military who oversaw Mugabe's departure.

But both men face a mighty challenge to help the country recover from the dire economic situation that was inflicted upon it by Mugabe's rule.

https://edition.cnn.com/2018/08/01/africa/zimbabwe-elections-intl/index.html

 

[MenInG]

Looks like trouble brewing in Zimbabwe as results are announced.

 

[sweep_shot]

Friday is a public holiday in Zimbabwe to mark a day of protest against sanctions which the government blames for the country's economic problems.

Southern African countries have joined calls from the Zimbabwe government for the sanctions to be lifted, saying they're damaging the region's economy.

So why are sanctions in place and what impact are they having?

he United States and the European Union (EU) have both maintained sanctions, citing a lack of progress in democratic and human rights reforms as well as restrictions on press freedoms.

They target both specific individuals and companies.

United States financial and travel restrictions currently apply to 85 individuals, including President Emmerson Mnangagwa.

There are also 56 companies or organisations facing restrictions.

"We have sanctions against certain individuals and certain corporations… not against the country of Zimbabwe. There is nothing to stop US businesses from investing in Zimbabwe, from going to Zimbabwe," says US Assistant Secretary of State on African Affairs Tibor Nagy.

Washington says the economic impact is mostly on farms and companies owned by these designated individuals.

The US also imposed a ban on arms exports to Zimbabwe.

EU sanctions also target specific individuals both within the Zimbabwean government and associated with it.

Travel restrictions and a freeze on assets have been imposed, along with the sale of military hardware and equipment which might be used for internal repression.

Originally imposed during the era of former President Robert Mugabe, these sanctions were reviewed earlier this year and have been extended until February 2020.

The EU says these restrictions have no impact on the economy of the country.

Worsening economic crisis
Zimbabwe's economy has faced deep economic crises over the past few years with periods of hyperinflation rendering the local currency worthless.

Once again this year Zimbabwe has been reeling from high levels of inflation as well as severe shortages of fuel, power and water.

Recent economic data suggests Zimbabwe's economy has recently been shrinking as measured by gross domestic product (GDP) per capita, the average economic output per person.

Are sanctions to blame?
The government of Zimbabwe has regularly blamed the dire economic performance on sanctions, and its neighbours in the southern African region are concerned about the impact Zimbabwe's worsening economic crisis is having on the region.

But there's little evidence to suggest that US and EU sanctions are responsible for Zimbabwe's troubles.

The US blame the crisis on what an official described as "catastrophic mismanagement" of the economy.

The EU also points to economic policies, a poorly carried out land reforms programme, drought and the HIV/AIDS pandemic.

Data from 1980 to 2015 shows no evidence sanctions had a negative effect on formal employment and poverty, says Carren Pindiriri, a lecturer at the Department of Economics, University of Zimbabwe.

For its part, the Zimbabwean government argues that sanctions have cost billions of dollars.

"You can't say sanctions are targeted when you specify 56 of the biggest companies in Zimbabwe. What is left?" Zimbabwe's secretary for information Nick Mangwana says.

When Mr Mugabe was forced from office in 2017, two UN human rights experts supported calls for the lifting of sanctions.

They said the measures could not be said to be "limited" or "targeted", as the people and companies affected represented the vast majority of the economy.

"Zimbabwe's economy is heavily concentrated in particular sectors, and sanctions on only a few people or companies can have a devastating impact."

Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-50169598.