“Mild” Coup in Zimbabwe

On Wednesday November 15, Zimbabwe experienced what is being called a “mild” coup. This was in response to last week’s sacking of Emmerson Mnangagwa, the vice president of Zimbabwe. Mnangagwa, the presupposed successor of president Robert Mugabe, fled to South Africa and has not returned to Zimbabwe since. Mnangagwa’s sacking was an action taken by Mugabe to further secure his wife’s position as his successor. This came as a surprise to most who thought that Mnangagwa would assume the presidency. At 93, Mugabe is the oldest world leader, and is currently confined to his house in Harare, the nation’s capital, with his wife Grace. Dislike of Mugabe has been spreading in Zimbabwe as he continues his 37 year long tenure. Zimbabwe is currently facing economic issues, which Mugabe has been blatantly negligent in addressing. Grooming his wife for the presidency further exacerbated discontent among the public. Grace Mugabe has been known to make lavish purchases, in addition to having a history of outbursts, including assaulting a woman she found in a hotel room with her sons. Citizens were frustrated with Mugabe’s’ rule and now find relief in the abrupt overthrowing of the regime. Military officials took to national TV on Wednesday morning to inform citizens of the actions taken against president Robert Mugabe, assuring citizens that everything would remain peaceful in the coming days. Neighbouring South Africa is said to be aiding the Zimbabwean government in “peacefully” setting up a new government, one that will likely see Mnangagwa as president.