Zimbabwe’s political scene: Egyptian perspective

CAIRO – 15 November 2017: The airwaves have been bustling with news Zimbabwe’s political situation since Tuesday night, including many updates about the possible scenarios for the crises and how it could escalate to affect other countries within the region.

Several countries issued warning statements urging citizens to avoid Zimbabwee any possible concerns or troubles including the United States and United Kingdom.

“As a result of the ongoing political uncertainty through the night, the ambassador has instructed all employees to remain home. U.S. citizens in Zimbabwe are encouraged to stay in shelter until further notice. Please monitor news and embassy notifications,” read a U.S. embassy in Zimbabwe statement released November 14.

The British government also issued a statement on November 15, noting, “due to the uncertain political situation in Harare, including reports of unusual military activity, we recommend British nationals remain safely at home or in their accommodation until the situation becomes clearer.”

In Egypt, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Ahmed Abu Zaid responded to the diplomatic reporter’s questions regarding the state’s official stance on Wednesday by saying that the government has been following the recent political updates in Harare with deep concern. “We are calling all parties in Zimbabwe to commit with self-control and deal with the ongoing situation with wisdom according to the people’s interests.”

Abu Zaid added that the Egyptian government has been in constant contact with the Egyptian Embassy in Harare during the past hours, affirming that the Egyptian community there, estimated at about 80 people, is safe and secured. “None of them have been hurt in any way,” he added.

How should we act?

“The only thing that will define what is happening exactly in Zimbabwe is international reactions towards it. For example, if the Southern African Development Community (SADC) refused to accept what happen and defined it as a hostile movement against the legitimate government, then many things will be clear,” African Studies Institute Professor Ayman Shabana said in statements to media outlets Wednesday.

He added that SADC had succeeded earlier to stop similar movements in other countries in Africa, further explaining that even if there are countries that support the current movement in Harare, they would never declare it publicly.

Shabana affirmed that the Army in Zimbabwe used the argument between Robert Mugabe and his former deputy Emmerson Mnangagwa to take over the country. “Claiming that they are following some of the corrupt people around the president is totally not true, they are taking power,” Shabana added.

Despite Shabana’s speculations, nothing can be affirmed until now, especially since Mugabe and his wife Grace are in Namibia, according to The Guardian.

Egyptian – Zimbabwean relations

Egypt and Zimbabwe have been sharing “brotherly” relations, according to the FM’s spokesperson statement Wednesday. President Abdel Fatah al -sisi met earlier with his Zimbabwean counterpart Mugabe on the sidelines of the three African economic blocs (COMESA, SADC, IAC) Conference in 2015.

During the meeting both sides have praised the international relations between the two countries, stressing on the importance of developing it. Mugabe then expressed his admiration with the Egyptian role supporting the African countries, including his. The meeting tackled several issues, including the conflicts within the African and Arab region.

Several agreements and deals are signed between the two nations, according to the State Information Service (SIS) website. On Tuesday night, Zimbabwe’s military seized power in the country, announcing that they were chasing “criminals” close to the president and that he and his family are completely safe. 93-year-old President Robert Mugabe Mugabe has been ruling the country for about 37 years.