Mugabe's Insistence on Remaining in Power; Crisis in Zimbabwe Continues

Following the action of the Zimbabwean army and an official announcement on Wednesday, Reuters reported, citing its sources in Harare, the capital of Zimbabwe, that 93-year-old Robert Mugabe insists on remaining in power "as the only legitimate ruler" of the country. The Zimbabwean army officially announced on Wednesday, November 15, that it had taken power from Robert Mugabe, the country's president. According to army officials, Mugabe and his family are "safe and secure." On Wednesday, an eyewitness in the capital of Zimbabwe told Reuters that soldiers and armored vehicles blocked roads leading to the main government offices and prevented access to parliament and courts in central Harare. On Thursday, November 16, Reuters reported, citing unnamed sources, that Robert Mugabe insists on the presidency. According to this report, Mr. Mugabe considers himself the "only legitimate ruler" of Zimbabwe and has even rejected the mediation of a Catholic priest close to him for a peaceful resignation. A source told Reuters that Robert Mugabe "has no intention of resigning voluntarily." In contrast, according to this source, Robert Mugabe and his associates "insist that the president must complete his term." On Wednesday, Jacob Zuma, the president of neighboring South Africa, stated that he had spoken with Mugabe by phone, and he confirmed that he and his wife, Grace, were under house arrest. However, the Zimbabwean army denied a coup in the country, emphasizing that its only goal is to remove Mugabe's "criminal" associates. Unrest in Harare, the capital of Zimbabwe, began after Robert Mugabe dismissed his deputy, Emmerson Mnangagwa, and replaced him with his wife, Grace. Reports indicate that Mr. Mnangagwa is the army's choice to take power following Robert Mugabe's resignation. Grace Mugabe is not very popular due to her extravagance, especially in a country that has struggled with severe economic problems over the past decade. As Reuters reports, Zimbabwe's economy began to decline after the government seized farmland owned by white farmers in the early 2000s, and printing money without backing led to inflation reaching "500 billion percent" at one point in 2008. Following these economic conditions, millions of people emigrated from the country, with most settling in South Africa. The number of Zimbabwean citizens in this country is estimated to be three million.