Harare, Zimbabwe (CNN)Zimbabwe’s President Robert Mugabe has turned up to a university graduation ceremony in the capital, Harare, in his first public appearance since the military staged an apparent coup two days ago.
The veteran leader arrived at the Zimbabwe Open University in a blue-and-yellow gown, accompanied by his security detail, two days after being placed under house arrest in Wednesday’s army takeover.
The event was apparently designed to convey a business-as-usual atmosphere — the generals pulling the strings in Harare are desperate not to give the impression they are orchestrating an unconstitutional coup.
But behind the scenes, efforts to push Mugabe aside appeared to be foundering. Mugabe was reported to be resisting a plan to oust him, and the generals were said to be frustrated about his refusal to go quietly.
Mugabe is one of the worst tyrants of our lifetimes. Given that he has held and consolidated power for the better part of four decades, I doubt that there is a “constitutionally sound” resolution. It takes revolutions to oust tyrants.
South African government ministers are in Harare for crisis talks with ousted President Robert Mugabe and military leaders who have seized control.
They are trying to reach a deal on the future of Zimbabwe and the man who has led the country for 37 years and is now under house arrest.
The Southern African Development Community (Sadc) regional bloc is to hold emergency talks shortly.
But sources suggest Mr Mugabe may be resisting pressure to resign.
They say Mr Mugabe is insisting he remains the legitimate president. Regional bodies such as Sadc and African Union (AU) will be keen to reach a constitutionally sound resolution to the crisis rather than to endorse a military takeover, say correspondents.
A U.S. citizen has reportedly been arrested in Zimbabwe for insulting the country’s president on Twitter.
A spokesman for the U.S. Embassy told the Associated Press that Martha O’Donovan was arrested on Friday after posting tweets that allegedly insulted Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe.
O’Donovan, who works for Magamba TV, a local news network aimed at youth, is being represented by lawyer Obey Shava of Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights. O’Donovan’s Twitter account is private, but an unverified account appearing to be MagambaTV tweeted news about her arrest.
