Zimbabwe declares security situation returns to normal

CAIRO – 28 November 2017: Zimbabwe's security forces on Monday announced the normalization of the situation in the country after a military intervention in mid-November that led to the resignation of former President Robert Mugabe and replacing him with his former deputy, according to AFP.

“We, the Zimbabwe Defense Forces and the security services, want to inform the nation of the normalization of the situation in our country following the historic swearing-in of Zimbabwean President Comrade Emerson Dambodzo Manangaqua,” said police spokeswoman Charya Charambas.

“The head of state has given a new direction to the country,” she said during a joint press conference with the military in Harare. “You will soon see the Zimbabwean defense forces and police forces patrolling, especially in the center of Harare.”

“The security forces have already received information that private property, including farms and houses, has been looted and illegally occupied, and this is criminal conduct, and we will pursue the perpetrators,” said Overson Muguesi, spokesman for the armed forces.

Zimbabwe's 37-year-old army loyal to Robert Mugabe surprised everyone by taking control of the country on the night of November 14 and intervened to block the first lady, Grace Mugabe, who was considered the favorite to succeed her husband after the overthrow of Vice President Emerson Mengangwa.

Mugabe, 93, eventually resigned from office on November 21 – under pressure from the army, the street and his party – while the National Assembly was discussing his removal. He was replaced Friday by his former deputy, who became 75-year-old rival Emerson Mananguagua. The new president inherits a devastated country and should soon announce his cabinet.

Former President Robert Mugabe famously declared that he would cling to power in Zimbabwe "until God says 'Come'." At the age of 93, he might have expected that hour to arrive before a human intervention. Nonetheless, following the military takeover, the leader of 37 years must now barter himself a future. Even now, the military is still negotiating with Mugabe about his possible resignation, but when – or if – he goes, it is a question of whether he can expect a villa in the sun like fallen strongmen of the past, according to BBC.