- Mugabe attended the graduation ceremony after negotiating with the military at State House yesterday
- Military forces retain control of Zimbabwe and allowed Mugabe out of house arrest for the ceremony
- Zanu-PF officials are making plans to dismiss and impeach Mugabe if he refuses stand down
- The army carried out coup on Tuesday night and said it was a “bloodless takeover”
Bringing you the latest news and live updates from Zimbabwe. (All times GMT)
1.45am: Mnangagwa an ‘extension of Mugabe’
South African journalist Redi Tlhabi told CNN that as far as she is concerned Emmerson Mnangagwa is “just an extension of Robert Mugabe”.
Also known as ‘The Crocodile’, Mnangagwa was sacked as Vice President last week and is now favourite to succeed Mugabe.
But Ms Tlhabi warned Zimbabweans that “Mnangagwa is no democrat”.
GETTY
Zimbabwe coup latest: Emmerson Mnangagwa is favourite to take over from Robert Mugabe
1.25pm: Zimbabwe parliament plans to impeach Mugabe on Tuesday, reports say
“The plan of anti-Mugabe forces is to have Mugabe impeached when Parliament sits on Tuesday,” Zim Media Review said.
“Mugabe can dissolve Parliament to prevent that from happening, provided he’s able to do so.”
1.15pm: Mugabe ‘must be impeached’, says former Zimbabwe Deputy Prime Minister
Arthur Mutambara tweeted: “All this MUST lead to impeachment by Parliament; a political process driven by Parties with political representation in Parliament.
“This route requires leadership, organisation and cross-party cooperation rooted on clarity on the long term agenda and vision. It can be done.”
Zimbabwe coup in pictures: Striking images show army grasping power from Robert Mugabe
Thu, November 16, 2017
In order to prevent members of the public from passing through. The Zimbabwe National Army has reportedly taken control over the government of President Robert Mugabe
1 of 33
A man walks past a military tank parked on the side of a street in the Zimbabwean capital Harare on November 16, 2017, a day after the military announced plans to arrest
1.04am: Botswana President says Mugabe give up power
Mugabe should end his attempts to remain in office after the military seized power this week as he has no regional diplomatic support to stay in power, Botswana President Ian Khama said.
The military intervention, which political sources say could pave the way to a national unity government after 37 years of Mugabe rule, also presented “an opportunity to put Zimbabwe on a path to peace and prosperity”, Khama told Reuters.
“I don’t think anyone should be President for that amount of time. We are Presidents, we are not monarchs. It’s just common sense,” Khama added.
12.50pm: Rally to be held in Zimbabwe tomorrow
An poster for the anti-Mugabe rally in Harare tomorrow calls on Zimbabwe to rise up and “demand a leadership that will relieve us of the suffering we have endured for too long.”
Zimbabwean newspaper publisher Trevor Ncube said: “Zimbabweans are preparing to take to streets tomorrow to express themselves over the current political stand-off between Mugabe and the military.”
12.31am: The leader of Zimbabwe’s influential war veterans said Robert Mugabe would not be allowed to resist the military and remain in power.
Chris Mutsvangwa added that the veterans saluted Zimbabwe’s military for seizing power earlier in the week.
REUTERS
Zimbabwe coup latest: Robert Mugabe attended a graduation ceremony earlier
12.22pm: Mugabe could be thrown out and impeached next week
Officials in Robert Mugabe’s ruling Zanu-PF party will meet today to draft a resolution to dismiss the 93-year-old at the weekend and lay the ground for his impeachment next week if he refuses to stand down, a senior party source has told Reuters.
“There is no going back,” the source said. “If he becomes stubborn, we will arrange for him to be fired on Sunday. When that is done, it’s impeachment on Tuesday.”
12pm: Mugabe leaves graduation ceremony
11.30am: Mugabe ‘falls asleep’ at graduation ceremony
Mugabe has fallen asleep at his first public appearance since the military coup earlier this week, according to Head of Reuters’ Africa Bureau Ed Cropley.
Mr Cropley tweeted: “Mugabe appears to have fallen asleep at uni ceremony – or “resting his eyes”, as his spokesman likes to say.”
11am: Mugabe arrives at graduation ceremony
Mugabe is attending a graduation ceremony at Zimbabwe’s Open University, days after being placed under house arrest by military forces.
Dressed in a blue and yellow academic gown and mortar board hat, the 93-year-old was greeted by ululations from the crowd as he declared the ceremony open.
The event marks Mugabe’s first public appearance since the Zimbabwe military staged a coup in Harare on Wednesday.
GETTY/REUTERS
Zimbabwe coup latest: Robert Mugabe could be thrown out of leadership
10.38am: Mugabe ‘changing goal posts’ in negotiations
Mugabe has reportedly “changed the goal posts” on a deal that was made regarding his imminent resignation, according to journalist Hopewell Chin’ono.
Mr Chin’ono understands that Mugabe now wants to step down as party leader in December, before retiring from his remaining political duties next year.
“This should not surprise anyone,” Mr Chin’ono said. “It is typical Mugabe behaviour.
“So the deal had been agreed on, only waiting for Mugabe’s signature, but Robert Mugabe is now refusing to sign it making reference to constitutional obligations.
“He is now demanding that he be allowed to be party president until December and state president until next year.
“The Military has given a firm ‘No’ and have told him they will now escalate the stand off.”