Military on move near capital as tensions increase in Zimbabwe

HARARE, Zimbabwe — Zimbabwe was on edge Tuesday as armored personnel carriers were seen outside the capital a day after the army commander threatened to “step in” to calm political tensions over the president’s possible successor, and the ruling party accused the commander of “treasonable conduct.”

The Associated Press saw three armored personnel carriers in a convoy heading toward an army barracks just outside the capital, Harare. The timing heightened unease in this country that for the first time is seeing an open rift between the military and President Robert Mugabe.

Mugabe, 93, the world’s oldest head of state, last week fired Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa and accused him of plotting to take power, including through witchcraft.