Don’t mess it up for us, say Zimbabweans, as they warn neighbours not to intervene

ZIMBABWEAN activists have warned other countries not to intervene amid an apparent split between two of Zimbabwe’s neighbours over whether to support or oppose the de facto coup against Robert Mugabe.

Ian Khama, the president of Botswana and a long-time foe of Mr Mugabe, became the first world leader to effectively endorse the military’s intervention yesterday when he said the strongman had no regional support for continuing his 37-year rule.

“I don’t think anyone should be president for that amount of time. We are presidents. We are not monarchs. It’s just common sense,” Mr Khama said, adding that Mr Mugabe’s departure would be an “an opportunity to put Zimbabwe on a path to peace and prosperity”.

His remarks appeared to contradict earlier comments by Jacob Zuma, the president of South Africa, who also chairs the Southern African Development Community (SADC), a 16-nation regional bloc.

“We note with great concern the unfolding political development in Zimbabwe and we hope that they will not lead to unconstitutional change of government,” Mr Zuma said after a summit in Botswana.

More than 30,000 people signed a petition urging the SADC not to attempt to intervene.

“There is no need at this time for you to do anything but business as usual. We speak for many people when we say we hoped and prayed for this day for long and now that it’s here, DON’T mess it up for us,” the Change.org petition reads

China, a major investor in Zimbabwe, called for the crisis to be resolved peacefully and for “all sides in Zimbabwe to keep their eyes on the country’s long-term and fundamental interests and to uphold dialogue and consultations to bridge differences.”

Rex Tillerson, the US secretary of state, urged Zimbabwe to hold quick elections but did not explicitly condemn the military’s intervention.

“We all should work together for a quick return to a civilian rule in that country in accordance with their constitution,” said Mr Tillerson, who was speaking in Washington ahead of a previously scheduled meeting with African leaders.