The ‘coup no coup’ situation in Zimbabwe has taken a new twist when President Mugabe appeared in public for the first time at a Zimbabwe Open University graduation ceremony, a few days after being confined to his Harare home by the military.
This is Mugabe’s first public appearance since the army seized control of the country in what appears to be a silent dramatic coup.
The 93-year-old leader walked un-assisted, visibly unmoved by recent events and even had time for his usual nap before getting down to business of the day.
The World’s oldest leader has held talks met with the Defense Forces General, Constantino Chiwenga, SADC special envoys and a cleric to map the way out of the current stand-off.
Mugabe’s appearance follows a statement issued by the Zimbabwe Defence Forces earlier this morning, which stated there is progress in the negotiations with Mugabe.
Photos of a smiling Mugabe holding hands with the army chief published by the state-run Herald, have also triggered speculation of progress in the negotiations.
Today, as he appeared at the event -without his wife - many believed with a microphone placed in front of him, he was going to address the world; but once again nothing came.
A very frustrating time for Zimbabweans and the world as it seems they will have to wait a longer as negotiations remain underway. His public appearance has been deemed a ‘show’ to augment the ‘not a coup’ statement by the army.
Some even believe it is a way of feeding the media something to occupy their time with whilst they wait for a formal announcement.
At the moment, it is a waiting game which keeps everyone on edge and the further President Mugabe is seen in public, the more in charge he looks more than the army claims.
Analysts have suggested the reason the build-up to his resignation has hit a snag is how Mugabe is playing so well his political cards. Without the army conforming to the constitution, they risk their action being deemed a takeover and not being recognised as a legitimate leadership.
