By Ben Kerrigan-
As arrested Robert Mugabe meets the army in an attempt to broker a deal back to power, transition talks are underway to establish a new government .
“There is a transition of power underway and it has tacit agreement from regional powers,”
the opposition party source told CNN.
Central to a new transitional administration is former Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa, sacked last week by Mugabe to pave the way for his wife to take over his former thrown. His decision to sack Mnangagwa sparked the military seize of power, which at the moment is not being referred to as the coup that it is. remains one of the most powerful figures in the country and derives much of his support from the military.
Mnangagwa’s whereabouts are currently still unknown, but Mugabe’s former supporters are apparently joining forces to now support Mnangagwa. Mugabe is unlikely to be allowed to serve out the rest of his term ahead of next year’s vote.
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The MDC-T leader, Morgan Tsvangirai, returned to Harare after Wednesday’s unfolding events and wasted no time in calling for Mugabe’s resignation. The former overstayed president is reportedly trying desperately to negotiate a deal to stay in power, despite the obvious signs that the military don’t trust him or want him in power anymore.
Despite the opportunity the turmoil presents for him, Tsvangirai has questioned whether a transitional government is the right approach, calling the military takeover “unconstitutional”.
Tsvangirai served as prime minister under a power-sharing deal with Mugabe after a disputed election in 2008, but Mugabe regained full control in 2013 amid allegations of election fraud. Tsvangirai has called on Mugabe to step more than once, his call also echoed by Mugabe’s own party members. The powerful War Veterans’ Association, funded by Mugabe’s ZANU-PF party, is planning on holding a large rally in Harare on Saturday to show its support for Mnangagwa. It is an indication that the group is confident that its favored candidate has the upper hand.
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The head of ZANU-PF’s youth wing, who had been vehement supporters of Grace Mugabe, issued an apology on state TV overnight for criticizing the head of the armed forces.
“I have since reflected and I personally admitted that I erred together with my entire executive to denigrate your highest office,”
Kudzanai Chipan said in his apology, insisting he he had not been coerced into making the statement.
Mnangagwa – a former loyal ally of Mugabe, is believed to have supported Mugabe’s reign and has skeletons of his own in a closet. Being Mugabe’s right-hand man for his entire rule, the pair go as far back to the country’s fight for independence.
Independence has not done much to improve the economic plight of millions of Zimbabwe, as rife corruption has always been a dominant characteristic of the nation’s trademark.
There are not many world leader or party chiefs who are sad about Mugabe’s sudden fall. They have had enough of the man who ruled for nearly 40 years, and wanted to continue his brutal regime through his wife. That grand plan has now been aborted to the relief of many Zimbabwen’s and international observers. Whether this guarantees a brighter future is yet to be seen, but we mustn’t hold our breaths on that.
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