Buhari calls for calm and respect of constitution in Zimbabwe

16 Novembre 2017

Abuja, Nigeria, November 16 (Infosplusgabon) - Nigeria’s President Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday called for calm, peace and respect for the constitution in Zimbabwe.

In a statement released by Presidential Spokesman, Mr Femi Adesina, President Buhari urged all political and military stakeholders in Zimbabwe to avoid any action that may plunge the country into unnecessary conflict and impact negatively on the region.

According to President Buhari, “every attempt must be made to resolve all contentious issues by constitutional means in Zimbabwe to save the country from avoidable political instability.”

The appeal by the Nigerian leader came in the wake of reported “military takeover” as a result of rising political tension in the southern African country sequel to President Robert Mugabe’s recent removal of former Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa.

This led to the threat by the head of the Armed Forces of Zimbabwe, General Constantino Chiwenga, that “the military will not hesitate to step in” when the issue had to do with protecting the “revolution.”

In the early hours of Wednesday, soldiers took control of Zimbabwe’s ZBC state broadcaster, saying that the 93-year-old leader was “safe and sound”.

Mr. Mugabe has led the southern African country since independence in 1980.

But the soldiers denied that they’ve seized power, saying their action was only aimed at reining in” criminal” elements around Mr. Mugabe, the oldest leader in the world.

Several officials have been held by the military, including ministers of the ruling ZANU-PF.

Those said to have been held include Albert Ngulube -Deputy Director Central Intelligence Organisation and Kudzai Chipanga – president of ZanuPF National Youth League.

Zimbabwe’s privately-owned NewsDay reported that three leading figures in the Generation 40 (G40) faction of Zanu-PF who had been reportedly fomenting chaos in the ruling party were picked up in the early hours on Wednesday following the intervention of the country’s Defence Forces.

Although the reports remain unconfirmed at the moment, indications are that Finance Minister Ignatius Chombo (Zanu PF’s secretary for administration), national commissar Saviour Kasukuwere and Higher Education minister Jonathan Moyo were arrested in raids at their respective homes.

Mr. Moyo is believed to have been the brain behind the G40 faction that has reportedly been masterminding the expulsion of liberation war heroes in ZANU-PF, including the recent sacking of former Vice President Mnangagwa, the report said.

FIN/INFOSPLUSGABON/TOH/ GABON 2017

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