Mugabe in crunch talks to ‘ end his presidency’
● Zuma predicts resolution ‘ shortly’ as Zimbabwe crisis negotiations begin
Zimbabwe’s President Robert Mugabe met a South African delegation at the state house yesterday as negotiations pushed for a resolution to the political turmoil and the likely end to his decades- long rule.
South Africa president Jacob Zuma, speaking in parliament, said the political situation “very shortly will be becoming clear ”. The talks include the military and, reportedly, the Catholic church.
Seizing on the political limbo to speak out, civil society groups and opposition leaders urged Mr Mugabe to step aside after 37 years in power and for the country to transition into free and fair elections.
Mr Mug abe has been in military custody, reportedly with his wife, since the army stepped in overnight on Tuesday. There was no sign of former vice- president Em mers on Mnangagwa, whose firing last week angered supporters in the military amid widespread concern that unpopular first lady Grace Mugabe would take his place.
The military remained on the streets of Harare. S outhern African regional officials were meeting in neighbouring Botswana on the crisis.
A j oint statement by more than 100 civil societ y groups urged 93- year- old Mr Mugabe, the world’s oldest head of state, to peace fully step aside and asked the military to respect the constitution. A joint statement by churches also appealed for calm.
One analyst said he believed the negotiations “have pretty much reached an end point” to get Mr Mugabe to step aside and that it was a“matter of hours or days”.
Knox Chi ti yo, associate fellow with the Africa pro- gramme at Chatham House, warned that speculation remains high but said the aim was a peaceful, managed transition. He said the military wants a dignified exit for Mr Mugabe, who has ruled since independence from white minority rule in 1980 and remains widely known, even praised, in Africa as a liberation leader.
Chitiyo said he doesn’t know where the ailing mr Mugabe would go but that the destination is“likely driven by his health”. Mr Mugabe routinely seeks medical treatment in Singapore.
Opposition leaders said they had not been contacted as part of the Mugabe negotiations.
Opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai, who shared power with Mr Mugabe between 2009 and 2013, said Mr Mugabe must resign and said his party would participate in talks on a transitional mechanism if approached.
A vice - president who was fired in 2014, Jo ice Mujuru, called for “free, fair and credible elections” following a transition arrangement.