HighlightTop Story

Zimbabwe army stops crowd marching on Mugabe’s home

112

Zimbabwe soldiers blocked thousands of protesters as they tried to march on embattled President Robert Mugabe’s official residence in Harare on Saturday, said an AFP correspondent on the scene.

The demonstrators, participating in nationwide protests calling for the 93-year-old veteran leader to step aside after the army took power earlier this week, staged a sit-down protest in the road after being halted by the troops.

 

Euphoric crowds of several thousand people gathered in Zimbabwe’s capital on Saturday to demand the departure of Mugabe, one of Africa’s last remaining liberation leaders, after nearly four decades in power.

Zimbabweans giddy with joy raced through intersections, raising their arms in triumph. Young men shouted, laughed and embraced. Others danced on top of moving buses.

Some had posters with an image of the military commander who swept in earlier this week and put Mugabe under house arrest, with the slogan: “Go, go, our general!!!” Marchers handed flags to soldiers, who accepted and waved.
“It’s like Christmas,” said one marcher, Fred Mubay, who said Zimbabweans have been suffering for a long time.

The 93-year-old Mugabe, the world’s oldest head of state, is said to be asking for more time amid negotiations with regional leaders that seek his exit with a veneer of dignity.

But he is virtually powerless and deserted by most of his allies, with others arrested, and the ruling party has turned on him, asking for a Central Committee meeting this weekend to recall both him and his wife. Impeachment is also a possibility when Parliament resumes Tuesday.

The dancing crowds in Harare were making it clear the country is impatient to move on without Mugabe, who took power 37 years ago amid an air of optimism but has been accused of squandering the once-prosperous country’s potential.

 

 

Leave a comment

Related Articles

Just In: Delta military killings: DHQ declares Prof. Arthur, Amagben, six others wanted

The Defence Headquarters has declared eight people wanted over the recent killing...

Eniola Ajao apologizes over “AJAKAJU” movie premiere controversy

Actress Eniola Ajao has issued an apology to the public in the...

Just in: Soneye, NNPC Ltd.’s spokesman, wins NIPR’s Distinguished Spokesperson Award

Mr. Olufemi Soneye, Chief Corporate Communications Officer of Nigerian National Petroleum Company...

Ex-Presidential media aide, Akande criticises LP’s leadership, urges party’s alignment with national interest

Mr. Laolu Akande, a former presidential assistant, has expressed dissatisfaction with the...

Economic hardship: Ogun Govt. begins sale of rice at 50 percent price reduction to workers, public

Ogun Governor, Dapo Abiodun, has announced that his administration will start selling...

FG committed to steel industry revitalization to drive infrastructural development, says Industry Minister, Dr Uzoka-Anite

The Federal Government is committed to industry rehabilitation, with a focus on...

Pres. Tinubu pays last respect to 17 soldiers murdered in Delta State

President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday extended scholarships to the children of the...

Easter: FG declares Friday, March 29, Monday, April 1 public holidays

The Federal Government has declared Friday, March 29, and Monday, April 1,...

Fake, unwholesome products: NAFDAC seals 10 bakeries, 8 table water factories in Rivers

The National Agency for Food and Drug Control (NAFDAC) has shut down...

Just in: Bodies of 17 slain gallant soldiers arrive at Abuja military cemetery for burial

The bodies of the 17 military personnel slain recently at Okuama, Delta...

Climate change, food security: AfDB approves $50 million for Yobe State

The African Development Bank Group (AfDB) has granted a $50 million loan...

Ex Guinea-Bissau President’s Son Jailed in U.S. for Drug Trafficking

Malam Bacai Sanha Jr, the son of a former president of Guinea-Bissau,...

Kidnappers ‘ll be treated as terrorists, they are cowards going after soft targets – Tinubu

President Bola Tinubu has called for treating those involved in kidnapping as...

Few weeks to party primary, leading Ondo APC governorship aspirant, Dr. Paul Akintelure, passes away

Dr. Paul Akintelure, a prominent candidate for governorship in Ondo State who...

IPOB, bandits using betting sites, crowdsourcing to finance terrorism – NFIU

The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), bandits, and other terror organizations are...

EU launches €9m energy projects in Nigeria

The European Union (EU) has unveiled two new initiatives worth €9 million...

Just In: Again, CBN increases interest rate to 24.75 percent

The Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN)...

Don’t sell dollar above N1,269, CBN orders Bureau de Change

As part of measures to strengthen the naira against the dollar, the...

U.S. state bars under-15 children from having social media accounts

Florida State Governor Ron DeSantis has signed a bill prohibiting children younger...

Anguishes, deprivations as Lagos Govt. house demolition squad moves from Lekki to Ebutte Meta

Cries of anguish and deprivation followed the demolition of Ifesowapo, Ifedapo, Otto/Ilogbo,...